They’re Hiring: Green Jobs in Tompkins County
Job searching? Consider a green career!
“Energy Navigator” Training Starting Soon!
A new round of training will be starting up in the Spring of 2020–the fifth year! Energy Navigators help Tompkins County residents learn about ways to reduce (and eliminate) their fossil fuel use, and transition to renewable forms of heating and powering their homes and transportation. Navigators go through a ten-session training, and volunteer through public outreach and by sharing information with friends, family, neighbors and others in their networks.
City of Ithaca Seeking Sustainability Director!
The City of Ithaca is seeking a Director of Sustainability to launch the City in an organizational transformation initiative to meet the goals of the City’s Green New Deal. The successful individual will have experience with issues surrounding climate change, be a strong visionary with deep commitment to environmental justice and advancing social equity through environmental stewardship, public health, and sustainable urban development.
Applications are due February 10.
Winners of Environmental Innovation Awards Announced
The Seneca Park Zoo’s Environmental Innovation Awards celebrate leadership in environmental stewardship, raising the profile of innovative companies and people working to solve complex environmental problems in the Rochester and Finger Lakes Region. Awards were given in five categories: Youth, Individual, Civic & Nonprofit, Small Business, and Large Business. Check out these local innovators here! 🤩🌍✨ Congrats winners!
Galvanizing Plant Poses Threat to Seneca Lake
A proposed galvanizing mill at the Seneca Lake Depot property (abandoned US military depot) presents another threat to Seneca Lake because of both potential leakage of zinc from the facility, and concerns with future Phase 2 and 3 of the project, a milling and welding facility. Seneca County IDA and the town of Romulus are being urged to address the areas of concern prior to making any approvals of the proposed plant. To learn more, read the Finger Lakes Times article.
Water Front – Peter Mantius
Water Front is a blog by Peter Mantius, a journalist writing about the latest happenings in Environmental Politics in the Finger Lakes region. Check out one of his latest stories – a comprehensive look at the Harmful Algal Blooms in Cayuga Lake.
Toxics Targeting
Homes and properties in communities across New York are located on or near toxic sites that can cause health hazards or reduce investment value. Toxic Targeting obtains environmental data from local, state and federal government sources and updates our information on a continuing basis. They provide extensive archival data now withheld from public disclosure. If you are buying a specific home or property, you can order a Toxics Targeting Phase I Environmental Database Report. They will walk you through your detailed report and answer your questions! For more info, visit their website.
Water Contamination in Schuyler County Sparks PFAS Testing
Schuyler County officials assure that test results received for Seneca Lake water are not necessarily reliable, and that the county will conduct their own tests in the near future. Mary Anne Kowalski, SLG’s research director, likened the tests to do-it-yourself home radon kits, and she acknowledged that the results are neither state-certified nor legally binding.
Toxic Chemicals Found in Watkins Glen Tap Water
Public drinking water in Watkins Glen, Montour Falls and Seneca County contains elevated levels of the cancer-linked PFAS class of chemicals found in dozens of stain-repellent household products like Teflon and Scotchguard, recent tests show.
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.
Call to Action: Public Meeting
Make your voice heard. The EPA is holding a public meeting TONIGHT. Come hear about the proposed clean up of the superfund site in Auburn created by the former GE plant and voice your opinion.
Cayuga Waterfront Trail Initiative
Cayuga Waterfront Trail Initiative (CWTI) is a partnership of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the City of Ithaca. The Cayuga Waterfront Trail is a 5.5-mile, multi-use trail providing an active, non-motorized transportation and recreation way connecting Cayuga Lake’s most popular waterfront destinations. Rent a bike, canoe or kayak to enhance your waterfront experience!
Camp Earth Connection
Camp Earth Connection is for everyone who seeks fun and inspirational experiences in nature. CEC is a drug and alcohol free facility at Hammond Hill State Park that values diversity and wants to provide a safe space and welcome all types of families. Their facility is designed to have a minimal impact on the surrounding land by using principles and practices such as permaculture, no trace camping, composting toilets, rainwater collection, and minimal motorized traffic. Enjoy camping and outdoor activities in the summer, or women’s retreats coming up in the fall!
CNY Land Trust
CNY Land Trust, working in Onondaga and Oswego Counties, acquires land either by donation or purchase and keeps it in its natural state. These lands may contain wetlands, ponds, streams, grasslands, forests, hills and all of the other wonderful natural landforms that abound in Central New York. CNY Land Trust owns all of its preserves, and cares for the land forever for community benefit. All of the preserves are open, free of charge, for hiking, photography and nature study from sunrise to sunset every day of the year.