Conservation Action: Spring 2015
by Conservation Chair Bill Meyer and Susan Lawrence, Vice Chair
The Atlantic Chapter recently experienced two incredibly significant and hard-earned victories for the health of New York's residents and environment. We stood up against big oil and gas and an international water consortium, each eager to exploit New York's natural resources for their own financial gain.
Over the past six years, our Groups and members throughout the state have collectively raised their voices in opposition to hydraulic fracturing (fracking), and in December, Governor Cuomo and his administration surprisingly agreed with us and announced they are prohibiting fracking. This was on the heels of the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) pulling the plug on United Water’s plans to construct an unnecessary and outrageously expensive desalination plant on the Hudson River, a project Rockland County residents would have been paying off for a long time to come.
These victories demonstrate how working to halt ill-conceived, environmentally destructive projects before they start is more effective, as well as less expensive, than pursuing later legal actions, and that they can have far-reaching effects as models for future fights as well as inspiration to other communities.
The desalination fight is an example of a particularly powerful strategy. We employed a three-pronged approach consisting of technical experts, grassroots activism and political pressure. The Sierra Club and other stakeholders joined forces with scientific experts to educate residents and public officials about what a boondoggle the proposal was. As a result, the PSC determined there is no immediate need for a new water supply source and ordered United Water to stop pursuing this desalination project.
The massive, unrelenting grassroots work in opposition to fracking—on the local, regional and state levels—is resounding nationally as well as internationally. The Sierra Club’s national policy now supports bans in other states and New York’s story may well help other states—and countries—protect their citizens.
As we act to prevent environmental degradation, knowledge is truly power. Through educating ourselves, clearly identifying the issues and recommending critical actions, we can and are making a difference. Please invite a friend to a meeting this year and help us continue to grow as we collectively work towards moving beyond fossil fuels, increasing renewable energy sources and addressing climate change.
Thanks to volunteers Jeff Bohner, Bob Kerr
Thanks to Jeff Bohner for being the chair of the Atlantic Chapter for the past 31/2 years. His wise and calm abilities to steer our course around tough obstacles have been so vital to the outcomes of our conservation campaigns.
We are glad that you will continue to serve on the Chapter Executive Committee as Chapter volunteer coordinator, and will work to protect our precious wetlands and more.
Thank you, Bob Kerr, for chairing our Office and Personnel Committee for the past 26 years. You have been a rock in keeping our Albany office running over these many years. You truly represent the importance of very dedicated volunteers who unselfishly and tirelessly enable the Atlantic Chapter staff and volunteers to accomplish so much.
Bravo and well done to you both!
Susan Lawrence