Ensure a Just Transition for Former-Coal Plants

Fossil Free Tompkins has joined with Sierra Club in crafting this letter to Governor Cuomo – asking that he ensure that the plants surrender their air emissions permits, there is a solid worker transition plan in place, that toxic materials, including coal ash landfills, are properly managed, monitored and treated, that the new facilities operate with high levels of energy efficiency, that utility scale solar development is supported at both sites, and that there is adequate funding to enable the transition from coal plants to data centers.

Lansing Coal Plant Shuts Down After 64 years

Victory for Finger Lakes protection activists! A coal plant, owned by Heorot Power, on the shores of Cayuga Lake in North Lansing has ceased power generation this past week after 64 years of coal-burning. Plans for the existing building are still being deliberated, as ideas to convert the facility to burn natural gas or a data center were shot down. Heorot’s VP, Jerry Goodenough, said the company will monitor the leftover coal ash landfill for 30 years and has set aside a $7-million bond for remediation. To learn more, click here.

Syracuse Sustainable Energy Expo!

This October 28th, a professional business event will be held to provide engineers, contractors, developers, architects, energy consultants, bankers and others involved in the building trade an opportunity to learn about the latest advances in non-fossil fuel energy solutions and how they can be integrated into new and existing building projects. The show will also feature a full day of seminars with nationally-recognized expert speakers who will present on various types of non-fossil fuel sustainable energy systems, advanced construction techniques and financing options. Breakfast and lunch are included with your registration and a MacBook Air will be given to a lucky attendee! For more info, go here.

HeatSmart Events

Get PUMPED, y’all! In just a week (September 7th, from 10am – 12pm) Solar Tompkins and HeatSmart Tompkins is holding another home tour, where you can learn about how switching to an energy efficient and cost effective heat pump has been a total game-changer for a family in Groton, NY. Can’t make it? There will be a presentation the next day (Sept. 8th from 2-4pm) at the Ithaca Waldorf School! Swing through! For more info on the home tour, click here and here for more info on the presentation!