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Taking Another Crown in the Fight Against PFAS

Last year you helped us petition Burger King to remove PFAS from its food packaging. We are delighted to report that they have finally agreed! Restaurant Brands International – which is the company that owns Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Hortons – has agreed to ban PFAS chemicals from its food packaging in more than 100 countries worldwide. They join McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Chipotle, and 15 other restaurant chains who have committed to stop using PFAS in their food packaging.

We have been working with our friends at Safer Chemicals, Healthier Families ([link removed]) on a nationwide PFAS ban and supporting their efforts to convince restaurants to put an end to the use of these chemicals. And as you may recall, we also helped pass a ban on PFAS chemicals in food packaging ([link removed]) in New York State back in 2020.

So What’s the Deal with PFAS in Food Packaging?
PFAS are toxic chemicals used in the coatings on paper wrappers and paperboard packaging, and they have been linked to a variety of health concerns, including cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease. These chemicals can contaminate your food directly, and can also pollute the communities where the chemicals and packaging are made and disposed of. You can learn more about PFAS here ([link removed]) .

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Learn How You Can Help Reduce Utility Rates

Do you want to pay up to 18 percent more on your Con Edison utility bill next year? If so, please skip to our next story.

But if you are fed up with Con Ed’s constant rate hikes, inequitable service, and continued investment in the fossil fuels that are polluting our air and worsening climate change, then it’s time for you to take action!

Testify at the Public Service Commission Hearings
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 ([link removed]) 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 ([link removed]) .

The public hearings are Tuesday, March 29 at 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM and Thursday, March 31 at 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM. You need to register at least 24 hours in advance. And you can learn more about this issue, how to register, and how to participate by downloading this document ([link removed]) (PDF).

Sign the Petition
We are part of the Energy Democracy Alliance, which has created a petition to cancel utility debt using the profits utility corporation shareholders reaped during the pandemic. Sign the petition here ([link removed]) to call on New York State’s Governor, Legislature, and Public Service Commission to make the for-profit utilities pay for debt relief.

Learn More
Want to learn more about this issue ([link removed]) ? Watch the video replay of the Energy Democracy Alliance’s Utility Debt Roundtable here ([link removed]) , and download our Utility Debt Brochure here ([link removed]) (PDF) to learn how you can ease your own utility debt burden.

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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 ([link removed]) . And learn about all of our Candidates Forums and other key voter information here ([link removed]) .

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Annual Earth Day 5K Fun Run
Early-Bird Registration Is Flying the Coop!

SIGN UP TODAY ([link removed]) to take advantage of our limited-time, early-bird pricing - $25 plus free WE ACT membership - 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 ([link removed]) as an individual or as a team. And if you are interested in sponsoring this great event, you can download our sponsorship brochure here ([link removed]) (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!

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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 ([link removed]) 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 ([link removed]) .

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The Capitol Pressroom interviewed Sonal Jessel on why the New York State Climate Justice Working Group recommends using race as the lead criteria for identifying communities to receive at least 35-40 percent of the benefits mandated by the State’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act. Listen here ([link removed]) .

Charles Callaway and Jasmine Graham spoke to CNN about how big-box store solar can aid an equitable transition to renewable energy if companies hire locally, pay a prevailing wage, and opt for community solar to share the benefits with the community. Read here ([link removed]) .

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VIDEO REPLAY: Watch Our Transportation Panel Discussion

In case you missed our panel discussion on how to equitably reduce emissions in the medium- and heavy-duty transportation sector, you can watch the video here ([link removed]) . The panel was introduced by Peggy Shepard and moderated by Dr. Regan Patterson, Transportation Equity Research Fellow at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. The panelist included Dr. Julian Marshall, Chair for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Climate and Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Washington; Bob Dean, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Neighborhood Technology; Margo Oge, Chair of the International Council on Clean Transportation and former director of EPA’s Office of Transportation & Air Quality; Román Partida-López, Legal Counsel, Transportation Equity at the Greenlining Institute; and Angelo Logan, Campaign Director at the Moving Forward Network.

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VIDEO REPLAY: Watch Sonal Jessel Discuss Preparing for Climate Change

In case you missed Sonal Jessel’s presentation on planning and preparation for the impacts of climate change, you can watch the video here ([link removed]) . Sonal gave the address at the New York City Emergency Management Community Engagement Bureau’s 2022 Community Preparedness Symposium: Cultivating Community Connections for Emergencies.

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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 ([link removed]) .

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WE ACT's Membership Planning Committee
Take a Leadership Role

Our Membership Planning Committee serves a leadership role in our membership ([link removed]) 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 ([link removed]) by Friday, May 6. Questions? Reach out to Bailey at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

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WHEJAC Seeks Input on Screening Tool
The White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC), which is co-chaired by Peggy Shepard, is holding two public meetings – March 30 & 31 from 3:00-7:00 PM EDT – to seek feedback on its proposed Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. Learn more and register here ([link removed]) .

New York State Climate Action Council Seeks Public Input on CLCPA Plan
The New York State Climate Action Council will hold 10 public hearings across the State to receive public input on its Draft Scoping Plan for the implementation of the State’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act. Find out when and where your nearest public hearing will be here ([link removed]) .

NYSERDA Wants to Hear From You, and They Are Willing to Pay
The New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) wants to work with environmental justice communities to help inform New York State’s energy planning, programs, and policies as part of the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act. And they are going to compensate community-based organizations and individuals for their time. Click here ([link removed]) to learn how you or your organization can participate in this public input process.

Stay Informed About Local Environmental Violations & Enforcement
Concerned about environmental violations in your community? Sign up for the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Enforcement & Compliance History Online (ECHO) Notify, an email newsletter to help you stay abreast of violations and enforcement actions in your area or at a specific facility. Sign up here ([link removed]) .

New Awards Program for Inclusive Solar Communications Campaigns
The US Department of Energy has a new awards program to recognize communications campaigns that are successful in increasing solar energy adoption and/or solar workforce recruitment and retention among a diverse target audience. The Shine On Awards for Inclusive Solar Outreach are putting the spotlight on campaigns that demonstrate excellence in communications across digital, video, podcasts, marketing, mobile, print, social media, and more. Applications are due on June 10. Learn more here ([link removed]) .

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Participate in the New York State Bike Census

If you ride a bike, be sure to take part in the first New York State Cycling Census! Help shape the future of cycling by documenting where, why, and how New Yorkers are riding bikes. It’s important for voices from our community to be heard! Participate here ([link removed]) .

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New York Idle:
Make Money Reporting Illegally Idling Trucks

Looking for a side gig that will help reduce air pollution in your community? Read this New York Times article about community activists who are reporting idling trucks in New York City and learn how you can get involved. Read here ([link removed]) .

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