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.

Today, Catskill Mountainkeeper joined with 182 organizations in four states to tell the Delaware River Basin Commission to ban fracking in the watershed.  

As our own Wes Gillingham said, “New York State banned high volume fracking because of the overwhelming scientific evidence of its threats—especially those to public health. The Delaware River Basin Commission must do the same. This is the only course to protect our water, air, health and communities—it’s one that Pennsylvania’s Governor Tom Wolf supports, one that New York’s Governor Cuomo has implemented, and we urge all of the commissioners to follow their lead.”

Read the full release and letter here.  And watch Pennsylvania's Governor Tom Wolf commit to supporting a fracking ban in the watershed here (h/t to our friends at Food & Water Watch for capturing the moment on video).

December 17,2016--The following statement is attributable to Ramsay Adams, Executive Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper

Under pressure from the oil and shipping industry, the U.S. Coast Guard is considering a proposal to establish 43 new anchorages for oil barges along the Hudson River from Yonkers, NY to Kingston, NY. These anchorages would serve the oil industry by creating an outlet for dirty oil arriving by rail into the Port of Albany, and would dramatically increase oil transportation along the Hudson River.

Statement by Wes Gillingham, Catskill Mountainkeeper Project Director at July 18, 2016 Protest

"Seneca Lake and the Catskill Mountains are connected by a pipeline. We are also connected by beautiful surroundings and by communities that have hope for a better future I love where I live! This storage facility here at Seneca Lake would be connected to the Millennium pipeline, which runs through the western Catskills on its way east and south to the CPV gas-fired power plant in Orange County that is now under construction. Two new compressor stations are proposed along the Millennium pipeline located near my home -- plus another connecting pipeline coming directly from the gas fields in Susquehanna county PA."

June 16, 2016

Livingston Manor, NY – The New York State Assembly extended the Empire State Film Production Tax Credit Program to the Catskills and Hudson Valley Wednesday night, a move that will encourage film production in the region and foster economic growth. Mountainkeeper and our members have been strong advocates for the legislation. On March 21^st, 2016 we submitted a letter to the Governor requesting the expansion of the Tax Credit to the Catskills and Hudson Valley that was signed by over 30 entertainment professionals including Chevy Chase, Natalie Merchant, Debra Winger, Mary-Stuart Masterson, Mark Ruffalo, Jon Bowermaster and Aidan Quinn. 

April 5, 2016

Groups Rally to Save NYS from FERC
Ask Governor Cuomo to Protect NYS Water by Denying Required Water Quality Certificate for Constitution Pipeline

Albany, NY—Groups from across New York State – and beyond – rallied at the State Capitol today against the bias of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for fracked gas infrastructure projects. They asked Governor Cuomo to use the State’s authority under the Clean Water Act to stand up to FERC by denying the 401 water quality certificate for the Constitution Pipeline.

March 10, 2016

Hurleyville, NY - To boost film production outside of New York City, the 2013-14 State Budget included language to create an additional 10% film tax credit for “Upstate” counties. However, bizarrely, Hudson Valley counties, including Sullivan, Ulster, Orange, and Dutchess, were not considered “Upstate” for the purposes of the credit and have been unable to tap into this lucrative economic development opportunity. 

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D, I,WF-Forestburgh) has introduced legislation (A.9415) to include Hudson Valley counties in the 10% Empire State Film Production Credit program.

WHO: Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive, and Ramsay Adams, Executive Director, Catskill Mountainkeeper 

WHAT: Promoting film production in the Hudson Valley with the additional 10% Empire State Film Production Credit Program 

WHEN: Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 3:30 pm

WHERE: Hurleyville Arts Centre 219 Main Street, Hurleyville, New York 12747

Please rsvp to Allison Horan at the Monticello office, 845-794-5807, or [email protected]

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Contact: 
Ramsay Adams
845-439-1230

Allison Horan
845-820-2922