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February Membership Meeting


Live Electric: Say No to Fossil Fuels & Yes to Health!

Did you know that 71 percent of New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings burning fossil fuels? Or that gas stoves, which are basically methane stoves, produce dangerous indoor air pollution that can harm you and your family? This is why we are working to equitably transition away from fossil fuels to all-electric buildings.
 

And it is also why you should join us tomorrow, Saturday, February 12, at 10:00 AM EST for our February Membership Meeting. We’ll begin with nominations for our Member Planning Committee and then talk about our efforts to transition away from fossil fuels – including why this is critical for environmental health and justice, and how you can get involved. Plus, it’s Wacky Hat Day, so dress to impress! RSVP here.


Out of Gas, In with Justice: Installing Induction Stoves in NYCHA Homes

One of the projects we will be discussing at Saturday's Membership Meeting is our Out of Gas, In with Justice pilot program. As you can see in the photo above, we have installed our first electric induction stove in a NYCHA development, and today we will be conducting a cooking demonstration on one of these stoves for all of the pilot program participants. The goal of this program is to better understand the impact on indoor air quality when transitioning from a gas stove to an electric induction stove. Join us tomorrow morning learn more! RSVP here.

NYS Enviro Health Advocacy Day


Attend Our New York State Environmental Health Advocacy Day

Join us for our JustGreen Partnership virtual advocacy day from 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM EST on Wednesday, February 16. We’ll be asking New York State policymakers to advance environmental health and justice legislation, such as eliminating toxic chemicals in personal care products and reducing the cumulative impacts of toxics and other pollution in our communities. RSVP here.
 

Learn About Cumulative Impacts
Not familiar with cumulative impacts and how they may be affecting your health? Join us for our online Cumulative Impacts Teach-In at 6:00 PM EST on Tuesday, February 15. RSVP here.

Peggy at the Shed


Peggy Shepard Debuts at the Shed: Talking Inequity in Pollution and the Pandemic

Be sure to tune in at 6:00 PM EST on Wednesday, February 16 as Peggy Shepard participates in an online discussion on the inequity of pollution and the pandemic’s harmful effects. This event is part of the Shed’s Tomás Saraceno: Particular Matter(s) exhibition. RSVP here.

Gas Fee NY Rally


Electrify the Empire State: Join the Rally for the All Electric Buildings Act

Join us for the Gas Free NY rally at 12:00 PM on Thursday, February 17 at the Sheraton in Times Square (Seventh Ave & 53rd Street). New York State Governor Kathy Hochul will be there for the New York State Democratic Convention, and we will show our support for a Gas Free NY! Like our successful Gas Free NYC bill, the New York State All Electric Buildings Act will combat climate change and reduce air pollution by ensuring that new buildings are constructed without fossil fuels beginning in 2023. RSVP here.

Support Public Power


ACT NOW: Support the Building Public Renewables Act

Please contact your New York State Senator and Assemblymember before Thursday, February 17 and ask them to make the Build Public Renewables Act a priority for their party leadership. Passing this bill would enable the New York Power Authority, the largest state public power utility in the nation, to build enough renewable energy to power 75 percent of the state, and create thousands of good, green jobs in the process. Click here if you want to call your representatives (link includes a sample script and links to find out who your representatives are as well as their phone numbers). Click here if you prefer to email them. And follow these links to read the Senate version and the Assembly version of this bill.

Community Solar


Video Replay: Watch Jasmine Graham Talk Community Solar in New York

In case you missed it, watch the video replay of Jasmine Graham on the Nancy E. Anderson Associates/Crauderueff Associates panel discussing New York’s community solar projects and what’s needed to optimize their benefits moving forward. Watch here.

Rising Energy Rates


WE ACT in the News

In an article about the impacts of the rising Con Ed rates in New York City, Jasmine Graham noted that low-income communities and communities of color “already spend a disproportionately higher percentage of their household income on energy and, being more likely to live in energy inefficient homes, often have a greater need for energy as well.” Read the City story here.
 
To push for transit equity, we joined some of our elected officials and other leading Harlem organizations in sending a letter to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, asking for the installation of elevators at the 125th Street station on the 1 line as part of the MTA’s Capital Plan. There are currently no accessible stations on the 1 line north of 96th Street in Manhattan. Read the Patch coverage here.

WE ACT is Hiring


WE ACT is Hiring!

We had a hugely successful 2021 and are now staffing up for an even bigger 2022! We are looking to fill a variety of spots:
 
In our New York City Headquarters
Human Resources Director
Digital & Design Communications Manager
Fundraising Events Coordinator
Environmental Health Coordinator
State Legislative Manager
Bilingual Community Organizer
Environmental Health Manager
 
In our Washington, DC Federal Policy Office
National Advocacy Manager
Environmental Justice Researcher
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Congressional Affairs Manager
DC Communications Director
 
All job descriptions link to PDF files, detail the necessary qualifications, and provide directions on how to apply. We are currently working remotely but will be transitioning to working on-site shortly. Come join the team!

Solar One


So is Solar One!

Our friends at Solar One are in the hunt for talented candidates for Here Comes Solar, its solar technical assistance program that expands access to the benefits of solar to low-income renters, multifamily cooperatives, and affordable housing in New York. The positions available include a Community Solar Associate (bilingual), a Senior Solar Program Associate, and an Operations Analyst.

PSC Hearings


Help Close the Digital Divide

As part of its Broadband Assessment Program, the Public Service Commission is conducting a study determine what steps are needed to ensure that all of New York's consumers have access to the internet. That is why it will be holding a series of virtual hearings to gather your views on how to best improve the availability, affordability, and adoption of residential and commercial broadband internet access across the state.
 
Below are a list of the dates and times of these hearings, for which you must register by 5:00 PM EST the day before. For those without adequate internet access, you can also participate by phone.
 
February 23 at 1:00 PM or 6:00 PM
February 24 at 1:00 PM or 6:00 PM
March 2 at 1:00 PM or 6:00 PM
March 3 at 1:00 PM or 6:00 PM
 
For more information, visit the Department of Public Service or Empire State Broadband.

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