RENewsletter | January 30, 2011

The Free environmental newsletter from RochesterEnvironment.com

“Our Environment is changing: Keep up with the Change.”

[1/23/11 – 1/30/11]

* Need to vent? | Go to my blog: Environmental Thoughts - Rochester, NY

* Found an important Rochester environmental story from a credible source that you think needs attention? Or, an Environmental Event, Please, SEND ME THE LINK. If you think this newsletter, which continually informs our community on our local environmental news, events, actions, is worthwhile, please encourage others to sign up. 

The great conundrum of our times is that in a time of rapidly occurring Climate Change and a rapid disintegration of the environment that we need to thrive and survive, mainstream media still marginalizes environmental concerns. [Check often for this continually updated list on the possible consequences of Climate Change in our region--supported by facts.] If there isn’t a quick and substantial change in how environmental concerns are reported, edited, and chosen in mainstream media, the public will continue to believe that environmental concerns are merely special interest matters, issues they can avoid if they choose.  How can we inform the public and monitor our environment without abridging our Freedoms--in enough time to safe ourselves?

Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink the water. Don't sit this one out. Do something. You are by accident of fate alive at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet. -- Carl Sagan

Opening Salvo | NewsLinks | Daily Updates | Events | Environmental Site of the Month | Take Action |

* The January 2011 Site of the Month Award goes to Allens Creek Corbett's Glen Preservation Group

[Hyperlinks work by CTRL + click to follow a link]

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Opening Salvo:  “State of the Union Address and Rochester, NY‘s environment”

Several prominent environmental writers noted President Obama’s neglect to mention the world-wide crisis of Climate Change in his State of the Union Address. 

Obama Ducks and Covers on Climate “The “C-word,” climate, appears to have become to the Beltway what the “P-word,” population, has been in climate treaty negotiations for a long time — unmentionable.  It’s one thing to cave to a wave of naysaying climate rhetoric and build a new American energy conversation on points of agreement rather than clear ideological flash points like global warming.” Andrew Revkin ( 1/26/2011) New York Times.

And:

Obama was wrong not to mention climate change in his State of the Union | Grist “In his 2009 State of the Union-esque speech, Obama spoke of "saving our planet from the ravages of climate change." In his 2010 SOTU, he affirmed the "overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change." In 2011, fresh off the hottest year on record, Obama said ... nothing about climate change. It didn't come up. This is a failure on Obama's part. A moral failure, a failure of leadership, but also, I would argue, a political failure.” David Roberts (1/26/2011) Grist

While this omission may comfort those who think there are more important, or more immediate matters for our country to consider (or just don’t believe in physics), our planet is still going to warm up.  And, despite Obama’s back-peddling on his promise to address Climate Change our Rochester, NY region is going to change: how Climate Change will impact the Rochester, New York area.

Despite what voters might think, our public officials will be held accountable for not addressing Climate Change because they are the ones in a position to be held accountable.  That’s their job: a public servant’s purpose is to protect the public.  They do not have the luxury of ignoring or pushing it aside because Climate Change is the environmental issue that connects all environmental issues.  Water quality, air quality, pollution, energy, transportation, invasive species, biodiversity, and you-name-it will all be affected by the extreme weather events and other complications due to Climate Change.  Just like when your streets don’t get quickly plowed in a snowstorm, you’re going to blame your public officials for not having addressed Climate Change—even if you voted for tax cuts over getting the job done. 

Trust me, when things get dicey you won’t care if you didn’t believe in Climate Change and did your darnedest to vote against anyone who mentioned the word.  You won’t care if you sat and listened to all those pundits in Washington who told you Climate Change was a bunch of hogwash and don’t let those crazy liberals spend a cent on preparing or informing the public on it.  You won’t care because you’ll be too angry at your public officials who didn’t act in your behalf and too busy trying to keep everything you held precious from being destroyed by a world heating up.  Here’s a statement by our top climate scientist James A. Hansen: "Climate change is likely to be the predominant scientific, economic, political and moral issue of the 21st century.  The fate of humanity and nature may depend upon early recognition and understanding of human-made effects on Earth's climate (Hansen, 2009)" Paleoclimate Implications for Human-Made Climate Change

Sadly and profoundly tragic, we are living in a world where there is little accountability anymore.  Lie us into a war, and we’ll only hold those trying to fix it accountable.  Destroy our economy by gaming the housing market, and we’ll only hold the public who do their job day in and day out accountable by confiscating their future.  Forsake the planet for your own political and industrial gain, and you’ll get showered with money and fame beyond all measure.  But there’s one entity that holds all accountable for violating her rules—Mother Earth. 

FrankRegan@RochesterEnvironment.com  (Click on my email for feedback)

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NewsLinks – Environmental NewsLinks – [Highlights of major environmental stories concerning our area from the past week]

· Pa. fracking blowout spews fluid onto state forest lands | pressconnects.com | Press & Sun-Bulletin

· The Canadian Press: Obama's Asian carp director says government moving quickly as possible to protect Great Lakes

· $250 million in funding for renewable energy projects

· Dog park in Ellison Park a possibility by summer - Webster, NY - Webster Post

· 01/28/2011: EPA to Hold Five Listening Sessions on Updating the Clean Air Act’s Pollution Standards for Power Plants, Refineries/ Sessions seek input to design common-sense, cost-effective greenhouse gas standards for largest polluters

· Great Lakes are not healthy

· Congressional hearing on high-speed rail held in NYC

· Climate Benefits of Natural Gas May Be Overstated - ProPublica

· Study looks to correct 'sad history of invasives' | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press Gazette

· Anti-gas drilling movie about Marcellus shale wins Oscar nomination | syracuse.com

· Obama speech expected to freeze spending on the environment

· Brockport company to accept electronic waste | Rochester Business Journal New York business news and information

· County panels OK pact with Riga on landfill

· Communities face pros, cons of wind projects - Utica, NY - The Observer-Dispatch, Utica, New York

· Pollutants found in Lake Erie fish

· Keeping small-scale wind energy alive - Business - The Buffalo News

· EPA, DOT and California Align Timeframe for Proposing Standards for Next Generation of Clean Cars

· State offers $250M for renewable energy projects | Rochester Business Journal New York business news and information

· Nuclear shipment decision delayed - The Sarnia Observer - Ontario, CA

· DEC plan may expand gas drilling in state forests | pressconnects.com | Press & Sun-Bulletin

· DiNapoli joins push for disclosure from gas companies | pressconnects.com | Press & Sun-Bulletin

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Updates – Daily Updates – [Connecting the dots on Rochester’s environment. Find out what’s going on environmentally in our area—and why you should care? Clicking on -DISCUSSION – will take you to my blog “Environmental Thoughts, NY, where you can add your comments.]

• 1/29/2011 - Maintaining our NYS environment in bad economic times: Many environmental groups challenge our new NYS governor to keep his eyes on our environment.  There are many environmental issues that need to be addressed and many environmental groups that want to help.  Check out this good encapsulation of our environmental issues and suggestions as to how to solve them:   green Groups send to-do list to gov. cuomo, nys legislature "12 PROPOSALS INCLUDE:, INVESTING IN SOLAR ENERGY, FIXING BROWNFIELD INCENTIVES & RESTORING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND (ALBANY, NY)—Public policy, environmental, transportation and energy groups today released a green to-do list for Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Green Memos to the Governor & the State Legislature includes proposals designed to bolster economic development while addressing New York’s high profile environmental challenges, including hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, reducing energy use, and providing resources for the state’s environmental agencies. “During the campaign Governor Cuomo unveiled his big picture vision for protecting New York’s environment. Our Green Memos fills in the blanks with the details and policy proposals that will help the Governor achieve his vision of a ‘cleaner, greener’ New York,” said David Gahl, Policy Director, Environmental Advocates of New York. " (January 13, 2011)  Environmental Advocates of New York
• 1/29/2011 - Not every community is ignoring Climate Change:  Some communities recognize the dangers of ignoring and dismissing Climate Change and are doing something about it. We have a great challenge before us: the more imminent the consequences of Climate Change, the more this issue is being ignored by the press and even our President, as he failed to bring it up in his State of Union address.  A chance has been lost to highlight and education the public on the greatest challenge of our times—an environment changing and moving inexorably towards a tipping point. Community battles climate change "Two organizations recently launched an energy conservation program this week to show how community efforts can lessen climate change in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Trust and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore staff hope to prevent 165,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere and save Alger County residents about 1.7 million kilowatt hours. " (January 27, 2011)  Great Lakes Echo - Environmental news across the basin
• 1/28/2011 - Preparing for Climate Change:  Because of the massive changes that Climate Change predicts for our area  (List of possible changes to our Rochester-area environment because of Climate Change (Keep checking back, this list is being constantly updated)) it is critical that our local representatives and authorities not only accept this change, but actually know how to adapt to it.  Our public officials will be held accountable for taking action to protect the public from Climate Change.  So, how do our public officials do that?  How does a community prepare for Climate Change?  Check here:  Climate Adaptation — ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA "ICLEI is an international membership association of local governments dedicated to climate protection and sustainable development. The organization was established in 1990 when more than 200 local governments from 43 countries convened at the World Congress of Local Governments for a Sustainable Future, at the United Nations in New York. Established as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, the official name is now ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability.  " Local Action Moves the World — ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA
• 1/28/2011 -There are many reasons why many US folks don’t believe that rapid Climate Change due to mankind is occurring.  It might be because their political party says it isn’t so, or they just haven’t had enough time to check it out.  Or, according to this article, a relatively few powerful people have to power to influence how the science of Climate Change gets filtered to the public or not acted upon by some politicians.   Who's to Blame: 12 Politicians and Execs Blocking Progress on Global Warming | Rolling Stone Politics | Lists" Rupert Murdoch, Sarah Palin and the other powerful people putting our future at risk.  "--from Rolling Stone | Music News, Reviews, Photos, Videos, Interviews and More
• 1/27/2011 - Are major wildlife die-offs common?  I suspect that massive bird die-offs like this article (below) describes were common before humanity arrived on the scene, but I cannot imagine that noise or pesticides or other manmade causes were the blame.  When we start to say that it’s “common” for major catastrophes to occur, we should be careful not to become used to or indifferent to major changes in Wildlife. It’s common for natural shifts in our environment to result in major wildlife die-offs.  However, human-caused die-offs should not be understood in the same sense that a naturally occurring event is meant.  If mankind is the cause of major die-off, we need to change our collective behavior.   Despite 2010 being the year the United Nations hoped to focus the world’s attention on the loss of biodiversity (2010 International Year of Biodiversity) little was done and not even mentioned in our local media.  You would think that major wildlife die-offs would attract public attention and the media, like thousands of birds dropping out of the sky, but it doesn’t.  Humanity can be like a great big buzz saw ripping through our environment with development and pollution and little thought is given to its affect on wildlife, plants, and our future.   To equate human-caused die-off with natural die-offs is a dangerous delusion about our role in our environment. USGS Release: Wildlife Die-Offs are Relatively Common, Recent Bird Deaths Caused by Impact Trauma (1/10/2011 4:51:01 PM) "Large wildlife die-off events are fairly common, though they should never be ignored, according to the U.S. Geological Survey scientists whose preliminary tests showed that the bird deaths in Arkansas on New Year’s Eve and those in Louisiana were caused by impact trauma. Preliminary findings from the USGS National Wildlife Health Center's Arkansas bird analyses suggest that the birds died from impact trauma, and these findings are consistent with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's statement. The State concluded that such trauma was probably a result of the birds being startled by loud noises on the night of Dec. 31, arousing them and causing them to fly into objects such as houses or trees. Scientists at the USGS NWHC performed necropsies—the animal version of an autopsy—on the birds and found internal hemorrhaging, while the pesticide tests they conducted were negative. Results from further laboratory tests are expected to be completed in 2-3 weeks. " Welcome to the USGS - U.S. Geological Survey
• 1/25/2011 - 350.org – Getting serious about the dangers of Climate Change:    Getting the Message Where It Counts | 350.org "OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA & PRESIDENT HU JINTAO " Dear President Barack Obama & President Hu Jintao:   It is time to publicly acknowledge that the continued burning of fossil fuels threatens the survival of civilization. The science is incontrovertible on this fact, yet the response from government is business as usual. Our two nations dominate world carbon emissions.   No civilization has survived the ongoing destruction of its natural support systems, nor will ours. "  - 350.org
• 1/25/2011 - ACTION: Join a new local Hydrofracturing Action Alert email list by contacting Anna Sears asears@rochester.rr.com.  Also the local Sierra Club's Global Warming & Energy Committee has been  addressing the topic of Hydrofracturing. They meet the 2nd Monday evening of the month.  Contact bteheger@juno.com for more info.  Also - you may wish to review this coalition letter Coalition Letter to Governor Cuomo Regarding Executive Order No. 41: Requiring Further Environmental Review of High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Combined With Horizontal Drilling | Toxics Targeting and Governor Cuomo issued a "continuation" of Executive Order No. 41 on his first day in office, as he earlier signaled he would.  See: No. 2 REVIEW, CONTINUATION AND EXPIRATION OF PRIOR EXECUTIVE ORDERS | Governor
• 1/25/2011 - Still get locally grown food in our area in the winter:   Wednesdays 2011 4pm - 7pm - Help support local farmland stewardship. Shop for delicious locally grown fruits, vegetables & meats, and locally crafted breads, jams, etc. -- indoors all winter at the Cornell Cooperative Extension building, 249 Highland Ave 14620 Highland Park Winter Farmer's Market
• 1/25/2011 - Taking care of Nature locally.  Check out this event: PENFIELD HERITAGE ASSOCIATION The History of Corbett's Glen   Sunday, January 30, 2011 2:30-4:00 PM Penfield Library Ruth Braman Room 1985 Baird Rd Penfield NY 14526   Corbett's Glen. What is it? A premiere nature attraction, with-Allen's- Creek (a tributary to Irondequoit Creek) winding around glacial formations then dropping over several small frothy cascades, creating beautiful scenery. Why is its history important to Penfield? And Who is Corbett???   Jeff Vincent will discuss its history. He lives in the Glen area.   Light refreshments will be served.
• 1/24/2011 - Environmental Story that should be on our radar:  Thought I do not know the actual state of the Rochester, NY region’s water infrastructure, this is a monumental country-wide issue: our crumbling water infrastructure.  Repairing decades old water pipes that take water in and out of our communities is critical.  Climate Change, which will deliver more extreme weather like flooding, will create events in which massive amounts of raw sewage will be released into our drinking water sources—because our crumbling waste water systems won’t be able to handle them.   Despite our poor economy and the other myriad of financial problems are communities are facing, this problem cannot be ignored.    Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com - America's crumbling water infrastructure "A water main breaks in the U.S. every two minutes. Alison Kosik looks at what is -- and isn't -- being done about it. " CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News
• 1/24/2011 Green event coming up in September: Greentopia Festival organizers want to breathe life into High Falls | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle "While Rochester sleeps under winter's blanket of white snow and gray skies, a dynamic contingent of regional movers and shakers is preparing for the city's first festival of green. The Greentopia Festival, a two-day indoor-outdoor celebration of sustainable living, environmental education and entertainment, will make its debut Sept. 17 and 18 in the High Falls district. " (January 23, 2011) democratandchronicle.com | Rochester RocEarth | Democrat and Chronicle

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Events – Rochester Environmental Events Calendar – [The most complete listing of all environmental events around the Rochester, New York area.]  If you don’t see your event, or know of a local environmental event, please send me the info: FrankRegan@RochesterEnvironment.com with (EV event) in the subject line.

January 2011

• Sunday, January 30, 2011 2:30-4:00 PM Penfield Library Ruth Braman Room 1985 Baird Rd Penfield NY 14526
• PENFIELD HERITAGE ASSOCIATION The History of Corbett's Glen   Sunday, January 30, 2011 2:30-4:00 PM Penfield Library Ruth Braman Room 1985 Baird Rd Penfield NY 14526   Corbett's Glen. What is it? A premiere nature attraction, with-Allen's- Creek (a tributary to Irondequoit Creek) winding around glacial formations then dropping over several small frothy cascades, creating beautiful scenery. Why is its history important to Penfield? And Who is Corbett???   Jeff Vincent will discuss its history. He lives in the Glen area.   Light refreshments will be served.

February 2011

• February 17th from 6:00 - 7:30 at Chocolate and Vine, 757 University Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607
• Join us for UGBN Green Drinks - February   February 17th from 6:00 - 7:30 at Chocolate and Vine, 757 University Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 hosted by Empire State College --from CEI: Center for Environmental Information
• February 28, 2011 | Submit stories online or by mail to: Carole Fraser NYS DEC Universal Access Program 625 Broadway, 5th floor Albany, NY 12233-4255
• DEC Kicks Off "Great Stories From The Great Outdoors" Contest- NYS Dept. of Environmental ConservationContestants Share Positive and Inspirational Experiences The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is calling for writers to share inspirational stories of experiences in New York's great outdoors by entering the "Great Stories from the Great Outdoors" contest. Stories can range from the simplest walk through the woods to meeting a challenge through an outdoor activity. The contest is open to all and runs through February 2011. Each month, DEC will select stories and post them on the DEC website. A prize will be awarded for the top story each month. Complete contest rules are available online. Through the Great Outdoor Stories contest, students, sportsmen and women, outdoor enthusiasts, campers and hikers can reflect and share the importance of the natural environment in their lives. Entries can range from a few sentences to a maximum 650 words. All story entries must be received by February 28, 2011. Submit stories online or by mail to: Carole Fraser NYS DEC Universal Access Program 625 Broadway, 5th floor Albany, NY 12233-4255

March 2011

• March 11   Reception 6:30 (For Premier Ticket Holders) Concert 8:00   First Unitarian Church 220 Winton Rd S., Rochester, NY  
• ROCHESTER ROOTS 20th Anniversary Benefit Concert with Emma’s Revolution Friday, March 11   Reception 6:30 (For Premier Ticket Holders) Concert 8:00   First Unitarian Church 220 Winton Rd S., Rochester, NY     Award-winning, international touring songwriters in the tradition of Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs and Holly Near will be performing a benefit concert for the Rochester Roots urban school and community garden project.  Emma’s Revolution sings songs about peace and justice, the environment, human rights, women, LGBT, and hope.  Musicians Pat Humphries and Sandy O. “have a real knack for identifying our many struggles while showing us their connections and the ways we can work together to overcome them.”   Please join us to celebrate our 20 years of developing innovative sustainable agriculture and education programs for all citizens. "Beyond progressive commentary, Emma's Revolution examines issues of our time the way the media should."  Z Magazine -- Please join us to celebrate our 20 years of developing innovative sustainable agriculture and education programs for all citizens.   CONCERT-ONLY TICKETS / 8:00 pm Advance Concert Tickets $20 each Student & Low-income $15 each At Door / $25 each
• Sunday, March 13th, 2011 2PM  2131 Temple B'rith Kodesh, Rochester, NY Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14618
• Lecture: Hydrofracking in New York State? Sunday, March 13th, 2011 – 2PM.  2131 Temple B'rith Kodesh, Rochester, NY Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14618 (585)244-7060 Free and Open to the public.  Read the flyer for details.

April 2011

• APRIL 8TH  2011 8:00 AM  | where: THE LINKS AT ERIE VILLAGE EAST SYRACUSE, NY
• Seventh Annual SYMPOSIUM ON ENERGY in the 21st CENTURY REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT - CHOOSING THE RIGHT PATH | When APRIL 8TH  2011 8:00 AM  | where: THE LINKS AT ERIE VILLAGE EAST SYRACUSE, NY | "The Annual Symposium on Energy in the 21st century brings together experts in the field of energy to present and discuss the future and possibilities of energy sustainability, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and partnerships. The Symposium provides a venue for diverse groups to join together in a bi-partisan multi-disciplinary conversation and learning experience. Attending are congressmen, mayors, town supervisors, presidents and deans of colleges, CEO's, professors, students, engineers, architects, city planners, representatives from the offices of elected official both on the federal, state and local levels, farmers, as well as interested citizens. Diverse groups of people, all who work in or have interest in energy, from the largest to the smallest of municipalities, come to share and learn from each other and from an outstanding group of speakers. "
• April 9th, 2011, 9am-noon at Monroe County Department of Parks
• Pick Up the Parks April 9th, 2011, 9am-noon at Monroe County Department of ParksJoin the Monroe County Department of Parks, Sunnking Electronics Recycling, and several local recreation and environmental groups in continuing the “Pick Up the Parks” event. This great parks stewardship event will expand from 4 to 6 parks in 2011; Black Creek, Ellison, Genesee Valley, Mendon Ponds, Ontario Beach, and Seneca Parks. View Flyer (from CEI: Center for Environmental Information)
• Apr 15 2011 | Braddock Bay Park 199 East Manitou Rd. - Greece, NY
• Bird of Prey Days 2011 Apr 15 2011 - 00:00 AM Mark you calendars and plan to attend our 23rd annual BOP Days event!  BBRR will be celebrating it's 25th anniversary!  You won't want to miss it!  Braddock Bay Raptor Research
• April 27, 2011 | Rochester, NY
• Save the date: Active Transportation Symposium Save the date: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 for a unique opportunity to change Rochester’s transportation.  Much has still to be worked out, but this event will be held in Rochester, NY.  Seeking: Organizations and institutional leaders in government, education, community organizations and the business community and individual activists.  For: a full day event with National and local experts.  To: make Greater Rochester a preeminent Active Transportation region.  Walking and wheeling can improve health and the bottom line for businesses and the community.  Brought to you by: Rochester Cycling Alliance, Genesee Transportation Council, NYS Dept. of Transportation, Monroe County and the City of Rochester.  Continuing Education Credits being Pursued.  For more information contact Richard DeSarra at rdscomm@rochester.rr.com or Rochelle Bell at rbell@monroecounty.gov .

September 2011

• September 17-18, 2011 - High Falls, Downtown, Rochester, NY
• Greentopia Festival The Greentopia Festival is Rochester’s and the Finger Lakes celebration of the green movement sweeping around the globe. The two-day, interactive fest in historic High Falls will reveal what the region is doing to help the environment – and envision a greener Rochester of the future. Think of Greentopia as a walk-through of a totally sustainable Rochester. We’ve already begun this walk by exploring healthier ways of living, as individuals and as a community. In social, economic and environmental ways, we’ve made the decision to go green.

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Action – Take Action - Often, I receive request to pass on alerts, petitions, Public Comments on local developments, and environmental items needing action by the Rochester Community and around the world. I’ll keep Actions posted until their due date. 

• Action: Due Date - Now
• Join a new local Hydrofracturing Action Alert email list by contacting Anna Sears asears@rochester.rr.com.  Also the local Sierra Club's Global Warming & Energy Committee has been  addressing the topic of Hydrofracturing. They meet the 2nd Monday evening of the month.  Contact bteheger@juno.com for more info.  Also - you may wish to review this coalition letter Coalition Letter to Governor Cuomo Regarding Executive Order No. 41: Requiring Further Environmental Review of High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Combined With Horizontal Drilling | Toxics Targeting and Governor Cuomo issued a "continuation" of Executive Order No. 41 on his first day in office, as he earlier signaled he would.  See: No. 2 REVIEW, CONTINUATION AND EXPIRATION OF PRIOR EXECUTIVE ORDERS | Governor
• ACTION: The 90 day public comment period will end on February 7, 2011
• Public Notice Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment - New York State Climate Action Plan Interim Report The New York State Climate Action Council announces the availability of the Climate Action Plan Interim Report for public review and comment. On August 6, 2009, Governor David A. Paterson signed Executive Order 24, setting a goal to reduce New York State's greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent below levels emitted in year 1990 by year 2050. The executive order also created the New York State Climate Action Council and directed it to prepare a plan to identify actions to achieve that goal, adapt to the effects of unavoidable climate change and stimulate a clean energy economy. The Climate Action Council launched a process that brought together more than 100 technical experts and stakeholders and the broader public to identify and examine both mitigation and adaptation policy options, and to analyze the costs and benefits of adopting these policies. The preliminary results of this analysis have been summarized in the Interim Report. Following review of public comment received on the Interim Report and additional analyses, including further evaluation of the effects of climate policy options on economic development and job creation, the Council will present a final Climate Action Plan in 2011. All interested members of the public are invited to review and comment on the Interim Report. The 90 day public comment period will end on February 7, 2011. The Interim Report and instructions for submitting comments can be found at: http://www.nyclimatechange.us. Public hearings on the Interim Report will be held in several locations across the state in early 2011. Interested members of the public are encouraged to enroll on the Climate Action Plan mailing list (listserve) at http://www.nyclimatechange.us to receive direct notification of public hearings and other information related to the Climate Action Plan. Contact: Mark Lowery, NYS DEC - Office of Climate Change, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1030, Phone: (518) 402-8448, E-mail: Office of Climate Change.
• ACTION: Due Date: Until the money runs out.
• There is still time to save energy on this NYSERDA program until the money for the rebates run out:     New York's Great Appliance Swap Out "The New York State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Program To qualify, your eligible appliance(s) must be purchased between February 12th, 2010 and the date available funding runs out. Welcome to "New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out" website which will provide all the information you need in order to participate. This rebate program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), is available to residential consumers replacing existing appliances of the same type with new ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances or High Efficiency ENERGY STAR appliances. A larger rebate will be granted to consumers who recycle their discarded appliances. Appliance Rebate Funds Still Available!!! Due to a large number of rebate reservations that were never claimed, there are still funds available under New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out!   Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds remain available. " --a program funded by ARRA and administered by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
• ACTION: Due Date - Now
• Sierra Club: Help Ban Toxics from Children's Toy Jewelry!Help Ban Toxics from Children's Toy Jewelry! After Congress acted, the Consumer Product Safety Commission finally took action to protect children from lead in children's products. Now another dangerous toxin, cadmium, is being found in children’s toy jewelry. Please take a moment today and tell the Commission to protect our families from cadmium in children's toys! --from Sierra Club Home Page: Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet
• ACTION: Due Date | January 7, 2011 through Monday, February 7, 2011.
• From the Genesee Transportation Council (GTC) make public comment on funding for GTC projects that are federally funded.  You can comment on “new or additional funding through the FY 2011-2012 UPWP. The list contains both projects that are recommended for funding and those that are not recommended for funding.". "Below for your information and review is the Genesee Transportation Council (GTC) Draft Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Unified Planning Work Program (FY 2011-2012 UPWP) Project List. GTC is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) responsible for federally-funded transportation policy, planning, and investment decision making in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, which includes Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates counties.   The Draft FY 2011-2012 UPWP Project List is available for public review from Friday, January 7, 2011 through Monday, February 7, 2011.   The UPWP is the program of federally-funded transportation planning activities to be undertaken by GTC staff, its member agencies, and other jurisdictions in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region. The FY 2011-2012 UPWP supports planning activities for the period April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012. Projects included in the current UPWP that are not complete as of March 31, 2011 will be rolled over into the FY 2011-2012 UPWP. " more..
• Action Due March 30, 2011
• DEC Announces 2011 Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale Free Seedlings available to New York Schools The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Saratoga Tree Nursery has begun taking orders for its annual sale of tree and shrub seedlings. Schools across New York can also now receive free seedlings for spring planting through the DEC School Seedling Program, which will provide 50 tree seedlings or a mixed packet of 30 wildlife shrubs to any public or private school that would like to participate. The Saratoga Tree Nursery produces more than 50 species of trees and shrubs for planting on public and private land. The objective of the program is to provide low-cost, native planting materials from known New York sources to encourage landowners to enhance the state's environment for future generations.  (January 7, 2010) DEC Announces 2011 Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

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Award – Environmental Site of the Month Award – [On the last Sunday of each month, we present an environmental award for the Rochester-area environmental web site or blog that best promotes the need to protect and offers solutions for our area's environmental issues.]

The January 2011 Site of the Month Award goes to Allens Creek Corbett's Glen Preservation Group This group represents the best of local environmental website because it demonstrates what a community focused on their local environment can do to get involved and preserve and protect it.  It’s much harder for irresponsible developers to grind up what precious little we have of natural open space near our urban areas when groups like these are on the job. If you live in a community needing to have the interests of its environment protected, check out this site and learn from them.

Allens Creek Corbett's Glen Preservation Group“The ACCGPG is a 501c(3) not-for-profit grassroots organization that was founded in 1994 in response to development pressures on the environmentally-sensitive lands in the Allens Creek Valley, located just outside of Rochester, NY, in the towns of Brighton and Penfield. The ACCGPG strives to protect these lands (especially Corbett’s Glen Nature Park) from adjacent development by working towards expansion of the park borders through conservation easements and land acquisition, and by actively participating in governmental regulation of proposed development in the area.”