Welcome to the May Newsletter of the UCC Northeast Environmental Justice Center!
This monthly e-newsletter offers information about global, national, regional and local news, action opportunities and events centered on the climate justice movement. The intention is to inform, educate and help folks connect with the movement and each other, so that we can amplify our collective voice on behalf of Creation here in southern New England (and beyond). If you find these e-newsletters helpful, please share widely, and encourage others to subscribe. If you have environmental events open to the public or legislative actions (especially if you're from MA or RI) that you would like to include in future e-newsletters, please be in touch. Thanks for reading!
Pam Arifian, Director
One week left to register for the Environmental Justice For All Retreat!
Are there high school youth in your life who might be interested in a weekend of community and fun, and of learning about environmental issues and how to harness their talents to create a more just and sustainable future?
The annual Environmental Justice for All! Retreat will offer all of this and more!
Please Join Us! May 17-19, 2019 at Silver Lake Conference Center in Sharon, CT. Cost: $145 per person; scholarships available (contact Pam for info).
Register by May 7th!
Fossil Fuel Resistance
Cricket Valley Energy Center Updates and Action Opportunities
Environmental Analysis for Cricket Valley Energy Center
The UK's Commissioner for Shale Gas, Natascha Engel, has left her position after just 6 months, saying that to develop the industry would be an "impossible task" due to the strong resistance from environmental activists. Let's keep the pressure on here in the U.S.!
The Cricket Valley Energy Center is an 1100 MW natural gas power plant that is under construction in Dover, NY, just across the CT state line. Environmental activists in New York and western Connecticut argue that "circumstances have significantly changed since an Environmental Impact Statement was originally prepared for Cricket Valley Energy in 2011.... [and that] preparation of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement [would] reevaluate, comprehensively, the profound impacts of the Cricket Valley Energy project."
TAKE ACTION! Please sign this petition to call for supplemental environmental analysis for Cricket Valley Energy Center.
Connecticut SB 585 - Success!
SB 585: An Act Concerning Air Quality Monitoring in Towns Near the Cricket Valley Energy Center passed the Senate, and now moves on to the House.
TAKE ACTION!
Call your House Representative (find them here) and ask that they support SB 585, to help monitor the air quality in northwestern CT, which will help protect citizens against potential spikes in poor air quality as a result of the Cricket Valley Energy Center.
Please also check how your Senator voted and if they supported this bill, please send them a thank-you email or phone call.
URGENT ACTION OPPORTUNITY: Permanent Ban on Fracking Waste in CT (SB 753)
Please call and email the Judiciary Committee TODAY about SB 753: An Act Concerning the Statewide Ban on Fracking Waste and ask them to protect our ecosystems by supporting a permanent ban on toxic, radioactive fracking waste in CT. The bill must pass in the committee tomorrow (Tuesday) to send it to the Senate. More details here.
Upcoming Events & Learning Opportunities
Hartford Youth Climate Strike
The second strike held by the CT Chapter of the US Youth Climate Strikes.
When: Friday, May 3, 10am-1:30pm
Where: State Capitol, 210 Capitol Ave, Hartford CT
Silver Lake Open House
This FREE event will include walking tours of the facilities, a hayride to the waterfront on Mudge Pond, a campfire with marshmallows to roast, opportunities to climb the high ropes or play a hole or two of disc golf, cookies and juice, and giveaways of camp merchandise. RSVP requested.
When: May 19, 1-5pm
Where: Silver Lake Conference Center, 223 Low Road, Sharon CT
