🌿 Plotting for People POWER, one watt at a time! 🌍
Dreaming of Powerful Possibilities
Y’all, the Sane Energy team spent the end of last week strategizing with the New York Energy Democracy Alliance (EDA), planning our collective work for the rest of 2024. We are proud to be both a steering committee member and a co-founder of this vibrant statewide coalition of community-based organizations, grassroots groups, and policy experts, including WE ACT, For the Many, PUSH Buffalo, and AGREE, that is dedicated to fostering a just, participatory transition to a resilient, localized, and democratically controlled clean energy economy in New York State.
In the coming months, EDA will continue to focus on two critical initiatives: the GAP fund and the REACH program. Both prioritize solutions for communities of color and low- moderate-income communities, which are most negatively impacted by the current energy and economic systems.
The Green Affordable Pre-Electrification Program (GAP)
The Green Affordable Pre-Electrification Program (GAP) will fund upgrades to buildings facing barriers to state energy efficiency and electrification programs because they require initial roof repairs or remediation from toxins like mold or lead, for example.
GAP will fund projects like lead abatement, roof repair, and mold remediation, ensuring tenants benefit from healthy homes.
Renewable Energy Access and Community Help program, or REACH program
The Renewable Energy Access and Community Help program, or REACH program, brings the Build Public Renewables Act, which we passed in 2023, to life! REACH allocates revenue from the New York Power Authority’s renewable energy projects to low-income ratepayers through credits on their bills. The Public Service Commission will determine the structure of the program. For example, state-owned solar panel projects producing excess energy could sell it to grids in the tri-state area and use the revenue to offset the energy bills of those who need it most!
We are committed to ensuring the renewable revolution includes everyone so we don’t replicate the dirty, racist fossil fuel industry.
Thurs. June 27: Why Sane Energy Supports the Rally to Save the Big Reuse Queensbridge Compost Site
Big Reuse needs our help! They are facing eviction at the end of June unless we can convince the Parks Department to renew their lease. What can you do? Show up! Bring the whole family—kids are more than welcome! They need as many supporters as possible. Let’s rally together to save community composting in Queens! 🪱🌱💚
Composting remediates land and heals surrounding communities. We discussed this transformative action of composting at our June 2nd ”We Won’t Pay to be Poisoned” event in Greenpoint.
When: Thursday, June 27th, 10 am
Where: The Arsenal, New York City Parks Department, 830 Fifth Avenue (just south of the Central Park entrance stairs) MAP
Can't make it? No problem! Spread the word! Invite your friends and family to join us!
Want to learn more? Join us on July 2nd in McGolrick Park. Please see below.
Tues. July 2nd: Learn About How We Will Transform National Grid’s Greenpoint LNG facility starting at McGolrick Park
Join us on July 2nd in McGolrick Park for an evening filled with joy and solidarity! Starting at 6:00 pm, we'll kick off with an information session, followed by a walking tour (or car tour for differently abled folks) to understand the toxic threats brought by the liquified natural gas (LNG) vaporizers in Greenpoint. You'll learn how we are planning to block construction and end National Grid’s abuse of our beloved neighborhood.
Come help us save our air, water, and climate. See you there!
Thurs. June 27: Join the Summer of Heat Mass Action Meeting! 🔥🌞
Get ready to participate in the Gulf South Rising, Fossil Banks Sinking March, and Mass Civil Disobedience on Friday, June 28th, with an IN-PERSON MEETING in Manhattan on Thursday.
Summer of Heat will kick things off with a delicious dinner at 6:30 PM, followed by their meeting at 7:30 PM. They will share their bold vision for the action and provide you with all the support you'll need to make a big impact with the Summer of Heat campaign.
In addition, they will connect you with an awesome action group so you can easily get involved and make a difference. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to be part of something powerful! See you there! 🌟👥✊
*This is NOT a call or Zoom meeting, this is an IN-PERSON event
Tell Mayor Adams and the City Council to Invest in Clean Energy, Green Schools, and Union Jobs
The climate crisis is one of the biggest threats to New Yorkers' safety, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent. Our comrades at ALIGN are urging everyone to write to Mayor Adams and the City Council, urging them to invest in clean energy, green schools, and union jobs. Now is not the time for an austerity budget.
In light of announced budget cuts to key agencies, the Climate Works for All coalition advocates for crucial investments in clean buildings, green schools, and good union jobs. These investments can save the city money in the long run and create a clean, sustainable, and resilient future for NYC.