Governor Cuomo: Build a Renewable Energy Economy

On April 16, 2013, the Sierra Club urged NY Governor Cuomo to take aggressive action towards building a renewable energy economy. The campaign calls for job-creating renewable energy in areas that could benefit from the transition away from fossil fuels.

“Specifically, we’re asking Gov. Andrew Cuomo to take administrative action to meet and extend the state’s renewable-energy goals … instead of any continued investment in fossil fuels,” said Lynda H. Schneekloth, chairwoman of the Sierra Club, Niagara Group at a news conference on the Buffalo waterfront in view of the Steel Winds wind turbines [video report].

 

Schneekloth said Cuomo's pledge to invest $1.5 billion in solar energy through the NY-Sun Initiative is a very good start, but "much more can be done to keep pace with other states."  

Cornell Professor Robert W. Howarth spoke at the Buffalo news conference in support of renewable energy in terms of its feasibility and its economic and public health benefits. Howarth is co-author of a new peer-reviewed publication entitled "Examining the feasibility of converting New York State's all-purpose energy infrastructure to one using wind, water and sunlight."

Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster said “Niagara Falls was in the forefront of renewable energy a century ago with the creative development of hydroelectricity. It’s time we reclaim that advantage and aggressively push for clean, renewable energy here in New York.”

Take Action: Send an email message to Gov. Cuomo.

Other groups represented at the news conference included WNY Drilling Defense, Wind Action Group, WNY Peace Center, Clean Air Coalition of WNY, Riverside Salem United Church of Christ, PUSH Buffalo, WNY Council for Occupational Safety and Health, Re-ENERGIZE Buffalo, Residents for Responsible Government, and Partnership for the Public Good. 

The Sierra Club's "Turn, Not Burn"campaign was advertised on billboards (image above) and in newspaper ads (see below) in Buffalo, Rochester, Binghamton, Auburn and Albany.

[Click image to enlarge]