Environmental groups earn unprecedented climate concessions in NYSEG/RG&E gas rate case

News

The New York Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved a precedent-setting agreement hammered out between grassroots environmental groups, the NYSEG and RG&E utilities, and energy regulators to stop growing gas sales and turn toward renewable heating alternatives, while keeping gas rate increases low. The PSC additionally agreed with grassroots environmentalists and consumer advocates that the utilities’ proposed electric rate increases were too high and ruled to reduce them to 2% per year or less.

Help Eliminate Nonessential Fossil Fuel Subsidies

Calls to Action

Please consider signing the petition calling on the NYS legislature and Governor Cuomo to identify and eliminate all nonessential fossil fuel subsidies and sharing it on your social media platforms. The Tompkins County Climate Protection Initiative signed a letter in support of the relevant bill (A257C) in August. At this point, as part of its lobbying campaign, the New York Youth Climate Leaders coalition is asking for individual signers. Only 600 signatures left to meet their goal of 2,000. Let’s help them meet it!

Finger Lakes Wine Flour

Signs of Sustainability

These friends make flours from from 100% locally-grown grape seeds and skins and process them at their mill in Hector, NY! Wine flour can be used to supplement flour in other recipes with flavor, color and nutrition. In addition to antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, each tablespoon adds two grams of protein and three grams of fiber. Visit their website to order some of their autumnal cupcakes (which can also be made to accommodate our gluten-free pals)! They’re selling out quick!

Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties

Signs of Sustainability

Habitat for Humanity partners with local first-time homebuyers to help them build or improve a place to call home! Recipients work alongside volunteers to build their home, and pay an affordable mortgage when its completed….These mortgage payments are then used to fund the construction of more Habitat homes! This helps strengthen the local economy and improve community connections. Want to help out? You can certainly help build, but theres also plenty of other ways to get involved. Do you identify as a woman and want to expand your handy skills while giving back to the community? Check out their Woman Build Program!

Vonnie’s Kitchen

Signs of Sustainability

Vonnie’s Kitchen is a Black-Owned, Woman-Owned, Food-To-Go business that offers delicious Caribbean and Dominican-style dinners every Saturday, with plant-based options! Owner, Vonnie, moved here from the Bronx and is a single mom trying to put herself through school. Let’s help her find success in Ithaca! Order by Thursday via her website for pick-up or delivery Saturday.

Coalition for Healthy School Food

Signs of Sustainability

This Ithaca 501(c)(3) nonprofit introduces plant-based foods and nutrition education in schools through interactive classroom visits, after-school cooking classes, and more! They also focus on exercise, kindness to animals, and intersectional issues, like race and the environment. Their goal is to educate entire school communities; not just students, but also parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and food service personnel. Visit their website to learn about this organization and for policy updates on this cause!

Second Wind Cottages

Signs of Sustainability

Second Wind Cottages houses and walks with people toward restored lives. They built cottages for homeless men in Newfield with a supportive environment- facilitating regular meetings with the men and also providing drug and alcohol counseling, GED assistance, Christian fellowship and support, life skills training, meals and social events such as movie nights with other residents and the larger community, laundry facilities, exercise equipment, and a food pantry! Our largest Climate Fund grant ever was given to Second Wind to pay for the insulation in all six of their first cottages in Newfield! Thanks to all those who offset their carbon emissions with us through Finger Lakes Climate Fund! Next on the agenda is a home for women in Dryden on donated land, which they hope to start building in Spring of 2021 – Donate here to help bring this dream to fruition!

Animal Rights Rochester

Signs of Sustainability

These friends support animal rights and the vegan ethic in the Rochester area by educating the public about specific animal issues, raising awareness of and expressing dissent against examples of exploitation and abuse, and advocating for more compassion. Visit their Facebook page to learn how you can get involved!

CNY Solidarity Coalition

Signs of Sustainability

CNY Solidarity Coalition is a grassroots group dedicated to tearing down the walls that divide and impoverish people, opposing any effort to register, detain, deport, or attack their neighbors, providing refuge for those in danger or need, and protecting water, air, and land. They aim to protect and fight alongside people of color, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ+ people, the Muslim community, the Jewish community, women, people with disabilities, people with mental illness, the deaf community, teachers, scientists, environmentalists, and all other marginalized and oppressed groups that are likely to be targeted in these uncertain times. Visit their website to learn more about their incredible work!

Hunt Country Vineyards on Keuka Lake

Signs of Sustainability

These folks are sustainability superstars! They’ve super-insulated all of the production, storage, and retail buildings, and have installed efficient lighting throughout their facilities. They also had a geothermal heating/cooling system installed and a 348-panel solar system. These improvements allowed them to reduce their carbon impact by nearly half! They’ve also got 24 acres of land that are certified organic and soil that uses compost and poultry manure only. Bravo, Hunt Country Vineyards! Be sure to check out their website for info on the vineyard and upcoming Nature Workshops.

Small World Food

Signs of Sustainability

It’s a CSA, but different! Small World Food offers the widest variety of local, organic food in Rochester with crazy flexibility — No more worries about missing a week or whether you’re actually going to eat everything in your CSA box. With their CSA Share Debit Card, you’ll get exactly what you want, exactly when you want it, and can choose from multiple local farmers to support every week. In addition to produce, they offer jam, honey, maple syrup, juice, pasture raised meat & eggs, granola, dairy products, fermented veggies and MORE (including these spooky loaves of bread 👻 )! Wowwwieeee! Visit their Facebook page to keep up with these amazing folks.

Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County

Signs of Sustainability

A place for free meals, hospitality, companionship and advocacy for those in need, regardless of their faith, beliefs, or circumstances. Want to give? Loaves & Fishes is still accepting food donations and volunteers with increased safety protocols. Want to receive? In response to COVID-19, free fresh meals will be packaged to-go and served outside in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, 210 N. Cayuga St.

BIPOC Farmer Training Program and Job Openings at Groundswell

News

Groundswell, Center for Local Food & Farming in Ithaca, has announced a Farmer Training Program for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color that will launch this coming Spring. Visit their website to learn more about this program and how to apply. Deadline is December 15th! In addition, they are looking to hire a Bookkeeper (Deadline: November 29th) and Communications Intern (Deadline: January 18th). They are also looking to fill some Leadership Committee seats. Don’t want to be behind a desk? Check out their on-farm volunteer opportunities. You can find all of these listings on their Employment page.

Incentives Available for Home Weatherization Through Dec. 31

News

Through the end of the year, NYSERDA is offering increased incentives for income-eligible households to insulate homes, seal air leaks, and replace inefficient equipment. There are also generous rebates and grants for installing high-efficiency heat pumps that provide heating and cooling, and which can replace furnaces and boilers that burn fossil fuels, as well as affordable options for going solar.