Worker Power and Renewable Energy 🌍💡
The path to sustainability
Last week, Sane Energy toured the impressive electrical training center of NYC’s Local Union No. 3 IBEW. ⚡ We learned about the union’s comprehensive apprentice program that prepares workers to build offshore wind, solar, geothermal, public transit, and electrical projects that can power our world in a safe, sustainable way.
We learned about the influence of Harry Van Arsdale Jr., the first president of the New York City Central Labor Council of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and a longtime Business Manager of IBEW Local No. 3. His leadership propelled the union to fight for a dignified life for workers. During his tenure, the union focused on the well-being of Puerto Rican and Black workers, and introduced pension plans, paid vacations, and scholarships that provided long-term financial security for workers and recognized the importance of work-life balance.
More importantly, we heard stories from workers
about the importance of a union.
We have a responsibility to ensure a unionized, renewable workforce, tackle climate change, insist on equity, and empower communities and workers. Let’s do this!
⚡Hot off the press: 15 gigawatts of renewable energy creates a stable climate, a stronger economy, cheaper power for 12 million homes and thousands of unionized green jobs.
We have the will, we have the way, and now we need our elected officials, namely Governor Hochul, to meet New York state's climate goals by building 15 gigawatts of renewable energy projects by 2030. State Senator Julia Salazar and State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha laid out the case in a recent op-ed in City & State.
“By building 15 gigawatts – enough to power 12 million households – NYPA would create roughly 25,000 good-paying green jobs, while funding training programs and apprenticeships to make sure our workforce is prepared for the task. These programs will retrain fossil fuel workers so they can benefit from the energy transition and continue using their important skills. They will also open up the green jobs sector to people in disadvantaged communities who have historically faced steep structural barriers to entering the trades.
A 15 gigawatt plan would also help put the brakes on skyrocketing utility bills. NYPA can use profits from renewable energy to lower bills for New Yorkers currently struggling to pay them. As for-profit utilities seek massive rate hikes around the state, we have an opportunity to put money back in people’s pockets.”
Thur, Aug 1: 6:00 pm Info Session & Walking Tour of NYC's Largest Fossil Fuel Depot
📅 When: Thursday, August 1, at 6:00 PM (ends around 7:15 PM)
📍 Where: Meet at McGolrick Park in Greenpoint (MAP)
🚶♂️ We'll start with refreshments, zines, and stickers, then take a walking tour of the LNG facility in North Brooklyn.
Why should you join us? Because together, we can build a city that serves people, not corporations! 💪💚
Did you know NYC's largest fossil fuel depot is sited near North Brooklyn homes and playgrounds? And we’re paying for it through our utility bills! 😡 National Grid wants a massive rate hike for its leaky, toxic gas system that harms our health and climate.
Learn how Sane Energy Project and the No North Brooklyn Pipeline Alliance are fighting back to transform the 120 acre site the facility sits on into a space that benefits our community, not shareholders.
We MUST retire, not replace, these gas systems! New York law requires us to ditch fossil fuels by 2050. Let's build a safe, sustainable energy system together! 🌎🔥
Thur, Aug 8, 6:00 pm: Stop Utility Rate Hikes in NY! Virtual Briefing Event
Sane Energy members know all about our ongoing fight against fracked gas utility giant National Grid, but did you know our allies in upstate NY are ALSO fighting National Grid? Join us for a virtual briefing to hear updates on our fights in NYC and Long Island and to learn about the movement in upstate NY from our allies at Citizen Action, AGREE, and Syracuse United Neighbors.
This briefing will cover how rate proceedings work, how to fight unjust rate hikes, and how to get involved with our actions in NYC, Albany, and Syracuse on August 15.
Reportback: People Power Blossoms at Kingsland Wildflowers Festival
Last weekend, we tabled at the annual Kingsland Wildflowers Festival to let people know about our campaign to shut down fossil fuels at the Greenpoint Energy Center and talk about the sane energy solutions we’re working to make blossom. Sane Energy team member JK Canepa served petition-signers her special Kombucha blend for people to try as they picked up flyers and buttons.
🌟 Ready to Make a Difference with Sane Energy? 🌟
Have you ever thought about volunteering with us? What part of our work gets you excited? We have some amazing plans and would LOVE to have you on board! 💚🙌
