Fourteen years ago, a friend from my Public Power activism days persuaded me to join the Sierra Club. Since then, I have chaired Niagara Group’s School Solar Power Committee. After 12 years and by 2018 we had nineteen Buffalo Public Schools with roof top solar installations. This year another 3 schools will install 1500 panels increasing the solar portfolio of the Buffalo Public Schools 50%.
I have also chaired our Zero Emission Bus Committee for three years. August 2019 saw our efforts rewarded by the Federal Transportation Authority granting $2.5 million to electrify one of our transit authority garages. They plan to convert all 105 diesel buses from this garage to electric vehicles.
These organizing efforts were a success due to the trust we built with Niagara Frontier Transit Authority and with the Buffalo School System. We focused on their interests. We were consistent in presenting our understanding that decreasing Green House Gasses in the atmosphere was better for the institution’s bottom line and better for the health of the community.
My history of activism began in the 1970s, working towards Public Power ownership to take the profit motive out of providing electricity to our area and to offer economical rates to consumers. We won a feasibility study but the 3% decrease in estimated costs did not persuade the city of Buffalo to take over the utility.
I recently retired from a career in occupational therapy, working for the children of the Buffalo Public Schools. During that time, I was appointed to the NYS Occupational Therapy Board for ten years. We assisted the Regents in matters of professional licensing and professional conduct. On the Board I worked to serve therapists and clients with the best practices available.
These are the approaches to activism I offer the Atlantic Chapter Ex-Com.