MEDIA STATEMENT

April 20, 2018

Livingston Manor, NY – Earlier today Governor Cuomo announced that New York State will dramatically ramp up efforts to hit higher energy efficiency goals.  The following response is attributable to Ramsay Adams, Executive Director

“Governor Cuomo’s announcement that New York will dramatically ramp up energy efficiency targets, including those for utilities, is the type of news we need right now. In the face of a climate crisis, New York must lead the way and this type of goal setting, when followed by strong accountability measures, can help ratchet down New York’s climate change emissions while creating jobs. Further, the focus on ramping up investment in, and participation by, low to moderate income New Yorkers and environmental justice communities is critically important, and we applaud the announcement.  I applaud Governor Cuomo for driving New York State forward on these ambitious energy efficiency goals.”

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Livingston Manor, NY – In response to Governor Cuomo and Comptroller DiNapoli’s announcement that New York will cease new investments in oil and gas companies and develop a plan to invest the Common Fund in clean energy technologies, Catskill Mountainkeeper issued the following statement, attributable to Ramsay Adams, Executive Director.

"Governor Cuomo's announcement that he and Comptroller DiNapoli will cease investing New York's pension in dirty, dangerous fossil fuels is exactly the type of leadership we need. It sends a strong message to the industry that we will not continue to support companies that are killing us and destroying our climate. Now New York needs to take the next bold move: funding the future by charging polluters for their emissions and investing revenues in our communities and renewable energy.

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Media Statement

November 21, 2017

Livingston Manor, NY – Earlier today the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and Assemblywoman Gunther announced that the state will invest up to $50,000 in an Army Corps of Engineers study examining flood control and community preparedness in Livingston Manor. In response, Catskill Mountainkeeper issued the following statement, attributable to Ramsay Adams, Executive Director.

“Livingston Manor has been waiting for years for the Army Corps of Engineers to step up and address our persistent flooding issue. As climate change begins to impact our own hometown, making storms more dangerous and severe, New York’s commitment to lead on this issue is incredibly welcome. We look forward to working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, and Supervisor Rob Eggleton to address the flooding in a way that makes our community more prepared while protecting our waterways and wildlife. We thank Governor Cuomo, DEC, and Assemblywoman Gunther for their quick response to the October 30, 2017 flood, and their commitment to funding and addressing this problem.”  

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Fifteen Counties Included in NEW Solarize Project

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY – Today marks the beginning of a new, first of its kind community solar Solarize campaign from RenewableNY. With an exclusive focus on supporting and expanding community solar--solar farms that deliver energy to owners or subscribers throughout a given area--the campaign will run in 15 Mid-Hudson Valley and Southern Tier counties. This is the first Solarize program to focus only on community solar and to operate on a scale this large in New York, and anyone can learn more and sign up at renewableny.org. 

Catskill Mountainkeeper Commends Governors’ Vote for Fracking Ban

Livingston Manor, NY – Earlier today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, along with the Governors of Delaware and Pennsylvania, comprising a majority of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), announced that they voted in favor of a resolution to issue draft regulations that will permanently ban hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas in the Delaware River Basin. 

We WON Our Day in Court!

Constitution Pipeline Loses Initial Round in Federal Case

Catskill Mountainkeeper Congratulates Cuomo Administration, DEC and Coalition Partners, calling VICTORY! 

STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 18, 2017 Livingston Manor, NY – Today, Constitution Pipeline lost a federal case challenging the NY DEC’s refusal to grant the project a water-quality certificate for the $685 million project, which had previously received federal approvals. Represented by Earthjustice, Catskill Mountainkeeper had intervened in the case with two other groups to help DEC defend its denial.

Liberty, NY: 7.10.17 - A free ride program is giving Liberty residents a reliable way to get to the Liberty Farmers’ Market at 119 N. Main Street. Market Ride, a collaborative effort of C.A.C.H.E., Catskill Mountainkeeper, Sullivan Renaissance, and The Liberty Networking Group, will begin operating on Friday, July 14^th. The initiative was conceived to allow those without reliable transportation access to fresh, local food. “Without a car, something as simple as shopping for groceries becomes a real burden”, said Walter Stein, Executive Director of C.A.C.H.E., the organization providing a van and drivers for this effort.

Assembly Holds Up Their End on Climate Change
Catskill Mountainkeeper Commends Passing Climate and Community Protection Act
Senate Continues to Kick Bill Down the Road

Statement on the passage of the Climate and Community Protection Act by Wes Gillingham, Associate Director, Catskill Mountainkeeper

Statement from Ramsay Adams, Executive Director, Catskill Mountainkeeper.

Today President Trump announced his decision to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement. This is a reckless international disgrace. Change begins at home, which is why Governor Cuomo's executive order is so critically important.  Making it state policy to reduce emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, and directing all state agencies to develop implementation plans in the next nine months is the perfect place to start. New York's economy is huge - our GDP was $1.405 trillion in 2014 making it one of the largest in the world. Climate policy here will help drive policy nationally.

Even as we laud today's bold moves, there is always more to be done. We urge the Governor and the Legislature to pass legislation to compliment this order and ensure home rule supersedes any weakened national environmental policies under this administration.