Public Forum: Marbletown Explores Options for 100% Renewable Energy
Stone Ridge, NY: Marbletown’s Environmental Conservation Commission (ECC) invites the public to explore and discuss options for a more sustainable, locally sourced and secure energy future at a Community Forum Tuesday, October 9th at 6 PM.
What: Marbletown ECC) and Sustainable Hudson Valley will present preliminary findings and invite residents to help identify opportunities and for businesses, institutions, and homes, as well as town facilities, to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy use. “By 2019, we’ll already be 40% there, based on current projects,” commented Tom Konrad, ECC Chair. “Now we’re tackling the next 60%.”
When: Tuesday, October 9th. Doors open: 6 PM. Presentations begin: 6:15 PM. Community discussion/brainstorm: 7:15 – 8. Informal gathering, 8-8:30.
Where: Rondout Municipal Center, 1925 Lucas Avenue, Cottekill, NY Room M-1.
Speakers: Tim Guinee, actor, local firefighter, and Climate Reality Project presenter. Tom Konrad, Marbletown ECC Chair. Melissa Everett, Executive Director, Sustainable Hudson Valley. Iris Marie Bloom will MC. Marbletown Councilman Eric Stewart will be present, as will ECC Members Doug Adams, Amy Moses, and Evelyn Lafontaine.
Free food and cider. Energy efficiency and renewable energy businesses are invited.
The process: The ECC is investigating strategies for obtaining 100% of the community’s energy from renewable sources, including solar power and the High Falls hydro plant. Partnering with Sustainable Hudson Valley, the ECC has estimated greenhouse gas emissions community-wide. Next, with community input, they are considering how to reduce overall energy needs through efficiency and a shift from fossil fuels to electricity for heat and transportation, and identifying ways to supply that power entirely from renewable sources, including local sites.
Why: Climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions is devastating. Fossil fuel energy costs are unstable and can cause economic harm, often to those who can least afford that burden. Communities can now come together to plan equitable, shared strategies to reduce ghg emissions, reduce air and water pollution associated with fossil fuel extraction, transportation and use, and develop solutions which may also increase local self-reliance and energy security.
Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electrification, combined, are key community strategies to achieve these goals.
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Iris Marie Bloom
Director, Protecting Our Waters
Organizer, Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipelines-NY
Commissioner, Marbletown Environmental Conservation Commission
Member, New Paltz Climate Action Coalition
Email: protectingourwaters@gmail.com
Facebook: ProtectingOurWaters / Iris Marie Bloom
Twitter: @POW_no_fracking
“Climate change doesn’t care if you don’t believe in it”
— Sign at the March for Science
