Federal Policy: Fighting the Dirty Deal 2.0

Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, which is a blatant effort to cater to the fossil fuel industry’s demands, including priorities outlined in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, while masquerading as a measure to advance renewable energy and transmission infrastructure development. WE ACT and other environmental justice leaders issued a statement condemning the legislation before Wednesday’s vote in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, calling it a “handout to oil and gas companies that sacrifices environmental justice communities in the guise of ‘permitting reform.’” While the bill passed the committee vote, we want to applaud Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for voting against it. The path forward is uncertain, but since Congress is in recess for the rest of August, we will use that time to mount a formidable opposition to ensure our clean energy future is not tied to oil and gas production.

Green Institute Workforce Development: New Training Course

As we celebrate the graduates of our Flagger & Scaffolding class (above), we wanted to let you know about our next FREE Solar Installation & Green Construction training course. This two-week course will be held Monday-Friday, August 26 through September 6, in-person in Long Island City. Participants will learn how to install solar panels and earn a Solar PV Installation Certificate as well as a Green Construction Certificate. All are welcome to apply here, but preference will be given to applicants living in the 10031 and 10027 zip codes. Contact Jazz Hooks at [email protected] or 646-935-9179 with questions. Apply Here

Learn: New Environmental Justice Course Available for Members

As an extension of our Environmental Health & Justice Leadership Training program, we have 10 FREE spots for WE ACT members and our community to audit an immersive course on environmental justice being taught this fall by Dr. Micaela Martinez and Cameron Clarke at the CUNY School of Public Health, which is located at 55 West 125th Street in Harlem. This in-person class begins on Monday, September 9 and will be held Mondays from 6:00-7:50 PM until December 16, 2024.
 
The course has no prerequisites, no required textbooks, and is free to WE ACT members and residents of Northern Manhattan and the South Bronx (no academic credit will be available for non-CUNY students). Given that there are only 10 spots available, please be sure you will be able to attend all of the classes before signing up - WE ACT members will be prioritized if we hit the cap. If you are interested and confident that you can attend all of the classes, please sign up here.

Stay Cool: Heat, Health, & Equity

As we endure yet another heatwave, we want to remind you that extreme heat is the deadliest impact of climate change, but it does not impact everyone equally. Black New Yorkers are twice as likely to die from heat-related illnesses as white New Yorkers.
 
To help you stay safe, click here to find links to your nearest cooling center (open through Monday, August 5) and cooling resources in New York City Parks as well as download the City’s Summer Health Safety Guide (PDF). You can also learn more about extreme heat disparities and download our 2024 Extreme Heat Policy Agenda (PDF) to see how we are working to address this.

Harlem Week: Peggy Shepard Speaking on Climate Justice

Peggy Shepard will be speaking about climate justice in Harlem as part of Harlem Week’s annual climate event. The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia Climate School have brought together a great list of speakers, including CUNY Medgar Evers College President Dr. Patricia Ramsey and New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, along with a panel – New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Director Elijah Hutchinson, Columbia Climate School Professor of Climate Sheila Foster, Harlem Community Development Corporation President Curtis Archer, and Infrastructure Engineering Incorporated CEO Michael Sutton – moderated by Columbia’s Chief Climate & Sustainability Officer Daniel Zarrilli. Join us on Wednesday, August 7 from 5:30-8:30 PM at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, which is located at 163 West 125th Street (at the corner of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard). Learn more and RSVP here. And be sure to arrive early due to security.

Peggy Shepard Speaking at National Medical Association Convening

Peggy Shepard will be speaking on two panels examining environmental justice and public health as part of the National Medical Association’s 2024 Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly next week. At 9:00 AM on Monday, August 5, she will be part of the presidential plenary with Jeanne Conry, MD, PhD, CEO & President of Environmental Health Leadership Foundation; John Balbus, MD, MPH, Director of the Office of Climate Change & Equity at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and Franciscka Lucien, Senior Director of Health Equity at the Clinton Global Initiative at Clinton Foundation. At 2:45 PM on Tuesday, August 6, she will be on a panel with Rev. Dr. Benjamin Chavis Jr., Social Justice Leader, President, and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association; Rev. Dr. Donald J. Tynes, Chief Medical Officer of the City of Benton Harbor, MI; Pastor Dr. Charlotte Keys of Jesus People Against Pollution; and Linda Villarosa, Contributing Writer at the New York Times.

Annie Carforo on Indoor Air Quality

Annie Carforo will be presenting the findings of our Out of Gas, In with Justice pilot program on August 7 at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s 2024 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings. The project, which revealed how indoor air quality significantly improved when transitioning from gas stoves to electric induction in affordable housing, continues to receive attention with the release of our scientific paper last month.
 
In addition, Eric Walker will be presenting on New York State’s Cap & Invest program at a Rebuild by Design event on August 7.

Training: Understanding Environmental Justice Laws & Policies

One of our TCTAC partners, NYU Institute for Policy Integrity, is conducting a free, six-part training series to provide environmental justice communities – and those who serve them – with the tools to effectively engage with government at all levels. The first in this series, Understanding Environmental Justice Laws and Policies, will be held on Thursday, August 22 from 5:00-6:00 PM. This training will present a high-level overview of key laws and policies that require the consideration of environmental justice issues in decisionmaking at the federal and state level for New York and New Jersey. Register here, and learn more about the TCTAC (including other trainings and funding opportunities) here.

Are You Registered to Vote?
You can find out by clicking here or calling 866-868-3692. Check now. Don’t wait until October 26, which is the deadline, because this is too important! If you are not registered, click here to learn about all the ways you can fix that, whether you register online, in-person, or by mail. Again, please don’t put this off. Too much is at stake with this election!
 
Become a Poll Worker
You can also apply to become a poll worker. In Manhattan, the hours will be 5:00 AM-10:00 PM, and the compensation is $250 per day plus an extra $100 for training. Learn more here, and get the details on Manhattan here.

Listen: US Energy Policy Wrong Direction Mini-Series - Liquified Natural Gas

Listen to the latest episode of our Uptown Chat's Wrong Direction mini-series about why the U.S. Department of Energy is heading in the Wrong Direction. Jaron and Lonnie speak with Roishetta Sibley Ozane, founder of the Vessel Project, about LNG – Liquified Natural Gas – and the multiple harms it causes our communities. Listen Today