STATE CAPITOL RALLY: Stand Together for Climate, Jobs, and Justice

Join us to Rally for 
100% Clean Renewable Energy in NY State!

The Climate Justice Coalition of WNY and the Sierra Club Niagara Group need YOU in Albany to tell our lawmakers that we demand a Clean Energy Economy with Good Jobs, Healthy Communities, a Livable Climate and Justice for ALL!

The shift to renewable energy will cut global warming pollution, create new jobs and must include policies that ensure equity and justice for our communities and workers.

Fortunately, the NYS Assembly recently introduced a new bill, The Climate and Community Protection Act (A10342), that addresses all of the above concerns. But the bill will not become law without Strong Public Support. That's why we need YOU at the State Capitol!

Rally with us on June 1st to make your voice heard and let New York State legislators know that We Stand United for a clean energy economy and renewable energy future for all!

Get your BUS Tickets here: Buffalo Bus To Albany

Renewables Are Doable!

For more information visit New Yorkers for Clean Power

RENEWABLE ENERGY NEWS: No Fossil Fuels? A Renewable World?

Where in the world have we achieved 100% renewable power?

In a few places around the world, humans have achieved a feat that seemed impossible just a few years ago, and still seems inconceivable nearly everywhere else: They’ve stopped burning fossil fuels for electricity.

Throughout 2015, several nations, states and cities announced they had either managed the switch to renewables, or to a massive increase in non-polluting energy production. It’s a big shift from a time when, after the financial crash of 2008, many dismissed renewable energy as unscalable, niche, or too expensive to consider.

So who is producing the most power from renewable sources, and how are they doing it? The areas that go 100% renewable tend to combine two factors: great natural resources (like the terrain needed for hydropower) and small populations (getting power to everyone is easier when there are only a few million of them). Others might not be quite at 100% yet—but are taking impressive steps towards it. 

Read more at Quartz


Video: Mark Jacobson on a Renewable World

Mark Z. Jacobson, PhD, of Stanford University, has modeled a transition to 100% renewable, carbon free energy, for 138 countries and all 50 US states. He was interviewed in December 2015.

Rooftop solar and energy efficiency just saved Californians $192 million in transmission costs

In regulatory proceedings across the country, we have long made the case that consumer investment in solar and other clean energy options can be a real cost-saver as it reduces the need for expensive new and upgraded utility infrastructure. Now, with solar on the rise, we’re seeing that promise turn into reality.

The governing board of the Golden State’s grid operator, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), recently approved its 2015-2016 Transmission Plan which … wait for it … calls for canceling THIRTEEN sub-transmission projects that had been planned for PG&E’s service territory.

Read more at Vote Solar


Renewables Are Leaving Natural Gas In The Dust This Year

The U.S. electric grid added more than 70 times as much renewable energy capacity as natural gas capacity from January to March.

In the first three months of 2016, the U.S. grid added 18 megawatts of new natural gas generating capacity. It added a whopping 1,291 megawatts (MW) of new renewables.

The renewables were primarily wind (707 MW) and solar (522 MW). We also added some biomass (33 MW) and hydropower (29 MW). The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) latest monthly “Energy Infrastructure Update” reports that no new capacity of coal, oil, or nuclear power were added in the first quarter of the year.
Continue reading at ThinkProgress

VIDEO & SLIDESHOW: Albany Rally to Break Free from Fossil Fuels

By David Kowalski

Members of the Climate Justice Coalition of WNY, the Sierra Club Niagara Group as well as concerned citizens rode a bus from Buffalo to a Rally in Albany on May 14, 2016 calling on NY State to end our dependence on polluting fossil fuels and shift to clean, renewable energy.

This rally was part of Global Actions held on six continents and in several U.S. cities during that week. People around the world stood up to say to say Break Free from Fossil Fuel and Keep It in the GROUND!

We joined over 1000 concerned citizens in Albany to say NO to new fracked gas & oil pipelines and NO to explosive oil trains ('bomb trains'), whose risk of derailment is threatening the safety of our communities in Buffalo, Albany and elsewhere in the state.

We said YES to Clean, Renewable Energy necessary to end global warming pollution, curb climate change, create new jobs and ensure justice for communities at risk.

Here is a 1 minute MUSIC VIDEO made from photos that I shot at the rally:

 Music credit: "Who's Gonna Stand Up?" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse band

Below is a link to a SLIDESHOW that contains photos and a few video clips of the rally and the march to the railroad tracks at the Port of Albany.

To access the SLIDESHOW, Click Here

HINTS for navigating the SLIDESHOW after you open it:

- Hover the mouse pointer over a photo to see the Caption.

- Click on a photo to view it, and Click again to Enlarge it to full size.

Environmental activists from around the region march down Pearl Street to the Port of Albany on Saturday, May 14, 2016, in Albany, N.Y. The demonstration delayed oil train traffic at the Port of Albany to raise awareness for the region's opposition to all fossil fuels. The event was part of a weeklong global effort called Break Free From Fossil Fuels. (Photo: Cindy Schultz / Times Union) 

Press coverage: Albany protest: 5 arrested after oil train delayed
ALBANY — A daylong effort to block crude oil trains brought hundreds of people near the Port of Albany, where they sat on train tracks and listened to speeches, sang and discussed nationwide and local environmental issues.
The Albany event on Saturday, organized by the coalition Break Free From Fossil Fuels, was one of several around the country and world this month.

Read more in the online report at the Albany Times Union: Click Here

~   ~   ~

For a livable climate and a just transition to renewable energy, 

 fossil fuels must be kept in the ground!

Green Drinks: Renewable Energy, Efficiency, and Clean Transportation

Green Drinks @ Ulrich's 1868 Tavern
 
Date: Tuesday, May 24th

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Location: 674 Ellicott Street Buffalo, NY 14203

Green Drinks is on Tuesday evening at Ulrich's 1868 Tavern.

Renee Vogelsang and Elizabeth Broad will be stopping in Buffalo on their “Road to Renewables” tour across the state in a Ford Fusion Energi, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. We're excited to welcome them to Buffalo!

Elizabeth Broad and Renee Vogelsang - NY'ers for Clean Power

The event will promote local campaigns for renewable energy and announce the “New Yorkers for Clean Power” statewide campaign to increase the deployment of clean energy across New York State.

The campaign will focus on education, organizing, and advocacy to engage the public, local governments, and businesses to advance a range of renewable energy, efficiency, and clean transportation solutions.

Delicious German food will be provided courtesy of PUSH Buffalo, this month's Green Drinks sponsor.

RSVP to Melanie at Mshorey107@gmail.com will receive a free drink ticket. Please write GD RSVP 5/24 in the subject line of the email!

Albany Rally: Break Free From Fossil Fuels - Hop on the Bus!

For a livable climate and a just transition to renewable energy, fossil fuels must be kept in the ground.

 
The Climate Justice Coalition of WNY and the Sierra Club Niagara Group have chartered a bus from Buffalo to a Rally in Albany on Saturday, May 14th calling on NY State to Break Free from Fossil Fuels.

Join concerned citizens to say NO to new fracked gas & oil pipelines and storage, as well as explosive oil trains in our communities. Say YES to clean, renewable energy sources.

This rally is part of a Global Action to Break Free from Fossil Fuels. We will join with thousands of people around the world standing up to say,  KEEP IT IN THE GROUND!

It is time to move toward 100% Renewable Energy!

BUS from BUFFALO: leaving at 5:00 AM from the University at Buffalo South Campus Park & Ride lot on Main Street near the Metro Station. 

ALBANY RALLY will begin at 10:00 AM in Lincoln Park, Eagle St. Entrance, between Morton Ave. & Park Ave.  [Map]

Groups from some areas of the Northeast are being trained and will participate in direct action. We will be there to rally and stand in solidarity, not to participate in the direct action.
 

 For more info on the Albany Rally, Click HERE