End of Year Newsletter
It’s been an exciting year for Citizens for Local Power! Here are some highlights from recent actions and initiatives. We have even more powerful action planned for next year!
Announcements
Citizens for Local Power is excited to announce developments in it’s Kitchen Cabinet and staff.
Judith Karpova, Consultant at Energy Conservation Specialists and certified in more energy efficiency credentials than one can count, has joined the Kitchen Cabinet. Evelyn Wright has stepped back to dedicate herself to an important commitment - to serve as Deputy to Pat Ryan’s Ulster County Executive. CLP is sad to lose her from the board but thrilled to have her powerful voice in environmental issues influence Ulster County policy.
CLP has also hired two coordinators to help enable the mission of empowering Kingston, connecting the community to have a voice in the power transition.
Jessica Clegg with a background in writing and communications, and Susie Jimenez, who has a background in arts, graphic design, and community surveying. Both are local activists and have deep connections to the Kingston community.
EMPOWER KINGSTON
Kingston has pledged to commit to a 100% renewable economy by 2030. With the support of the NoVo Foundation and the City of Kingston, Citizens for Local Power has taken on the promise and challenge of involving our communities in planning and carrying out Kingston's energy transition.
These meetings so far have opened the door to new ideas, connections, and possibilities for involving all people in Kingston in this vital transformation. We are working with the city government to ensure all voices are heard and considered as we collectively move toward a clean, green, livable future. Stay tuned!
Danskammer Must Go!
Two weeks ago, a number of environmental organizations gathered in the Capitol building to protest the potential expansion of the Newburgh-based Danskammer plant. A little background: Danskammer has been operating as a peaker plant, which means it’s run five or so days a year in events of extreme energy need. On Thursday, 12/12, the Danskammer plant filed a permit request to open full-time, running on fracked gas from Pennsylvania. CLP strongly opposes any expansion of a fossil fuel-based infrastructure and advocates for the facility to explore green energy options--one being transitioning to an energy storage facility. Governor Cuomo has yet to decisively remark on the plant’s proposal, so more action will be needed in the new year. CLP will keep you posted about what you can do to prevent additional fracked gas in our state.
Mid-Hudson Regional Renewables Forum
This conference, which Citizens for Local Power was proud to endorse, brought together representatives from different sectors--state agencies, utilities, and municipalities and organizations--to share the progress we’re making toward a renewable economy. Kitchen Cabinet member Pat Courtney Strong moderated the Utilities panel. Other highlights included Rev. James Childs and Kai Nybro from SunCommon Community Solar discussing the innovative solar panel array project on Pointe of Praise Church grounds, which benefited long-term church members.
Citizens for Local Power (CLP) helps communities in the Mid-Hudson Region transition to a locally-based, clean energy economy. Combining research, education, advocacy, and project coordination, CLP supports community and municipal engagement in energy decision-making, transforming energy policy and practice to strengthen local economies, mitigate climate change and increase resilience.