Con Ed Wants to Raise Utility Rates Help Us Fight This by Providing Online Testimony
Con Edison wants to increase its electricity rates by 11.2 percent and gas rates by 18.2 percent beginning next year. But you can help us put a stop to this!
Attend one of the online public hearings before New York State’s Public Service Commission and share your story about how the high costs of utilities – gas and electric – are affecting you. Talk about your utility debt and/or how the current costs are impacting you and your household. In fact, we are offering a Testifying at a Public Hearing 101 training session at 7:00 PM on Monday, March 28 to help you prepare for this. RSVP here.
The following are the dates and times of the online hearings. You need to register at least 24 hours in advance. You can learn more about this issue, how to register, and how to participate by downloading this document (PDF).
Tuesday, March 22: Hearings at 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM
Tuesday, March 29: Hearings at 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM
Thursday, March 31: Hearings at 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM
If you don’t speak up, you will be paying that much more for your utilities next year. Register to participate today!
Give Feedback on New York State's CLCPA Implementation Plan
The New York State Climate Action Council released its draft plan for implementing the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act and is seeking your feedback. NY Renews will host a People’s Climate Action Council workshop at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, March 23 to walk community members through the plan and help prepare to give feedback. RSVP here.
Help Advance Energy Justice: Learn About Our Energy Efficiency, Equity, and Jobs Act
Our communities deserve equitable funding for energy efficiency upgrades – including the removal of mold, lead, and asbestos – along with the jobs this will create. Come learn how you can help us pass our New York State Energy Efficiency, Equity, & Jobs Act at our online Teach-In at 6:00 PM on Thursday, March 24! Learn more about the legislation here, and RSVP for the Teach-In here.
Spring EHJLT Program: Learn How to Be an Environmental Justice Advocate for Your Community
We are pleased to announce our award-winning Environmental Health & Justice Leadership Training Program for the Spring. Participants in this free online training program will learn about environmental and climate justice issues and how to advocate for equitable solutions to address them. Running from 6:00-7:30 PM, the classes include Intro to Environmental Justice on March 29, Green Energy & Infrastructure on April 6, Clean Air Quality on April 13, Free from Fossil Fuels on April 20, Intro to Climate Justice on April 28, and Toxic Products on May 4. Register here.
Gas Exports Disproportionately Harm Communities of Color WE ACT Among Groups Calling for the Biden Administration to Take Action
We were among the more than 60 organizations calling on the Biden administration to halt the proposed buildout of new/expanded gas export facilities due to their disproportionate impact on our communities, particularly along the Gulf Coast. We also called for the acceleration of renewable energy development and storage. Read the letter here (PDF).
Free Solar Job Training for Manhattan CB9 Residents
Thanks to the generous support of the West Harlem Development Corporation, we offering free solar installation training for residents of Manhattan Community Board 9. Participants will also receive training for the 30-Hour OSHA and 10-Hour Site Safety Training certifications. This is a great opportunity to break into the solar industry! Again, all applicants MUST reside in Manhattan Community Board 9 and attend the Zoom orientation meeting at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, March 22. Register here.
April Membership Meeting: Get to Know the Candidates for New York State Assembly Districts 70 & 71
As we prepare for the New York State primaries on June 28, we are conducting a series of Candidates Forums to help you get to know the candidates seeking to represent Northern Manhattan. First up will be candidates for New York State Assembly Districts 70 & 71, which will take place during our April Membership Meeting beginning at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 9. RSVP here. And learn about all of our Candidates Forums and other key voter information here.
And in case you missed our March Membership Meeting, which focused on the work our Federal Policy Office is doing for Northern Manhattan and featured visits from Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer & Representative Adriano Espaillat, you can watch the video replay here.
Film Screening Fundraiser for WE ACT at Patagonia's SoHo Store
Long-time supporters Patagonia will host a screening of Newtok, a documentary about an indigenous village in Alaska where the residents may become some of America’s first climate refugees. The screening is on Tuesday, March 22 at Patagonia’s SoHo store, located at 72 Greene Street. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the film starts at 7:00 PM. Masks are strongly encouraged, and RSVPs are required. RSVP here.
Sonal Jessel explained to Gothamist why we need to include $15 billion in the New York State budget for climate justice, helping the communities hit hardest by climate change mitigate the disproportionate impacts they are forced to endure. Read here.
Harlem World featured a number of stories, including Sonal Jessel discussing the importance of centering race in defining disadvantage communities for New York State’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (read here), Annie Carforo making the case for New York State’s All-Electric Building Act (read here), and how the American Petroleum Institute is running a fraudulent digital ad campaign in hopes of undermining the passage of the All-Electric Building Act (read here). This echo’s the failed attempt to undermine what is now New York City Local Law 154, on which the state legislation is based (read the Time Magazine article on that here).
The Cecil Corbin-Mark Fellowship for Environmental Justice Leadership Apply Today!
We are proud to announce that WE ACT is now accepting applicants for the inaugural year of the Cecil Corbin-Mark Fellowship for Environmental Justice Leadership. Two applicants will be selected to work on environmental justice policy issues, and gain experience in community-based policy advocacy, legislative and regulatory drafting, policy research, and community engagement. The deadline for application is Friday, April 15. All the details can be found here.
Annual Earth Day 5K Fun Run Early-Bird Registration
Take advantage of our limited-time, early-bird pricing - $25 plus free WE ACT membership - and sign up today for our annual Earth Day 5K fundraiser. Like much of our lives right now, it will be both virtual and in-person. Participants can run or walk five kilometers (3.1 miles) at a time and place of their choosing beginning on Earth Day, Friday, April 22. And on Sunday, May 1, we will have an in-person run and/or walk on Randall’s Island for those who want to participate in-person. You can register here. And if you are interested in sponsoring this great event, you can download our sponsorship brochure here (PDF). We hope you can join us to celebrate Earth Day, help raise funds for WE ACT, and run or walk for a healthier, greener community!
WE ACT's Membership Planning Committee Take a Leadership Role
Our Membership Planning Committee serves a leadership role in our membership and does a lot of the work planning and preparing for our Membership Meetings and other events. The committee also works toward more effective communication between the membership body and staff and helps set goals for membership participation. We are holding elections for this volunteer committee and encourage any member interested in becoming a candidate to please complete this form by Friday, May 6. Questions? Reach out to Bailey at [email protected].
