Renewable Rikers Act Passes City Council
The New York City Council passed the Renewable Rikers Act, which we strongly supported, paving the way to turn the last penal colony in the United States into a solar farm. Assuming the feasibility study goes well, the island could become home to solar panels producing as much as 14 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to power local communities and potentially even close the city’s high-polluting “peaker” plants.

The communities most impacted by Rikers, which is slated to close by 2026, are the same low-income communities and communities of color most impacted by climate change, and also happen to be home to these filthy peaker plants, so this is a big environmental justice win. On top of that, the plan is to train people from these same communities, ideally those who have been personally impacted by facilities such as Rikers, to do the solar installations, providing some reparative justice while giving them the skills and experience they’ll need to build careers in the solar industry. Learn More

Kerene Tayloe Testified at Congressional Hearing on Climate Leadership
Kerene Tayloe testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change. She offered insight on restoring equitable climate leadership as part of “Back in Action: Restoring Federal Climate Leadership of the House” hearing. Watch Kerene’s Testimony (at the 41:46 mark)

Peggy Shepard spoke with Fast Company about why President Biden’s nominee, Michael Regan, is the right person to rebuild the Environmental Protection Agency. Read Here

Peggy voiced concern in Politico about how the Biden administration will administer the 40-percent of the $2 trillion climate crisis funding that’s been earmarked to support environmental justice communities. Read Here

Peggy also offered some recommendations in Politico (which got picked up by Scientific American) on how to most effectively distribute the 40 percent of those funds. Read Here And Here

Taylor Morton weighed in on the debate between “Environmental Justice” & “Intersectional Environmentalism” in Grist. Read Here

Sonal Jessel and Andre Gentles, a member of our SUNS solar cooperative, were featured in coverage of the Renewable Rikers Act in France 24. Read Here

Charles Callaway spoke with the Columbia Spectator about our work to address environmental racism in Harlem. Read Here

Learn How New York Evaluates Fossil Fuel vs. Renewable Energy
Sonal Jessel will be on a New Yorkers for Clean Power panel discussing how to improve New York State’s cost benefit analysis - how the state decides the cost/benefit of fossil fuel vs. renewable energy infrastructure. This is key to our work to decarbonize and electrify buildings across the state because the current approach unfairly favors fossil fuels. Join this teach-in at 12:00 PM ET on Thursday, Feb. 18. RSVP Here

Free Webinars on Toxics
Our friends at Clean and Healthy New York are offering a series of free webinars to help you identify and avoid exposure to toxics in your everyday environment.
 
Toxics at Work:
February 18, 6:30 PM ET – RSVP Here
February 23, 12:00 PM ET – RSVP Here
 
Toxics at Home:
February 25, 6:30 PM ET – RSVP Here

Utility Justice Film Festival & Speakout
Given the economic uncertainty during this pandemic, have you had to choose between paying your utilities or your rent? No one should live in fear of not being able to afford their utilities. As we’ve seen in Texas, the consequences can be deadly. Join us for the New York Energy Democracy Alliance Utility Justice Film Festival & Speakout on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 5:30 PM ET to learn how you can fight back against our state’s utility monopolies. RSVP Here

Bullard Center for Environmental & Climate Justice
We wanted to share some great news from Texas! The Houston Endowment has committed $1.25 million to help establish the Robert D. Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University. The center is named after Dr. Bullard, often referred to as the father of the environmental justice movement, who serves as a Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at the university. It will “assist and support underrepresented and marginalized populations to build healthy, sustainable, and resilient communities in the era of climate change.” Learn More

Ahoy: Sail for Justice Swag
Our friends at Hudson River Sloop Clearwater are selling some limited-edition swag to celebrate Black History Month and raise funds to collaborate with WE ACT on student programs centered around social justice and climate change. Shop Here