News

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Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Energy, Michael Cusick, and Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton Introduce Bill to Exclude Major Electric Generating Facilities from Expedited Power Plant Siting Process

Assembly Legislative Press Release

On March 27th, NYS Assemblyman Michael Cusick and NYS Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton introduced a bill in the NYS Assembly which would exclude major electric generating facilities, which generate electricity from the combustion or pyrolysis of solid waste or fuel derived from solid waste, from an expedited power plant siting process.

Citizens, Business Owners, Elected Officials and Community Organizations Share Concerns About New Waste Facility in the Finger Lakes

Citing concerns over PFAS and other issues, group collectively Urges Governor Cuomo to Deny Permits

Alternative Waste Systems has told DEC that it wants to turn land close to Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area and Newfield State Forest into a Materials Recovery Facility and Waste Transfer Station. The company is proposing to haul 500 tons of garbage and Construction / Demolition Debris via 185 trucks per day.
FLX Garbage Dump Truck Route

COMMENT DEADLINE FOR GARBAGE TRANSFER STATION DUE THIS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH!

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

We recently learned of a proposal for a garbage transfer facility that could negatively impact areas around Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. Please review the overview that we have gleaned from the project application. We have exactly 2 days remaining to submit comments to the DEC regarding this proposal (deadline September 24!), and to the Cayuta Town Board prior to October 14th.

Comments from Seneca Lake Guardian Business Coalition and Finger Lakes Wine Business Coalition Opposing Greenidge Generating Station Air Title V Facility Permit

The undersigned members of the Fingers Lakes Wine Business Coalition urge the DEC to deny the Greenidge facility’s Title V Air Permit. We are concerned that the power plant, used as a bitcoin mining operation and its enormous increases in GHG emissions, will adversely impact the vibrant wine and tourism industry in the region.

Connections: A debate over crypto currency

Listen

Crypto currency has made significant gains in the last six months and is more popular than ever. But to obtain certain forms of currency like Bitcoin, mathematical experts have to perform complex computer equations.

We discuss how it works, why they there is opposition, and why crypto has been so hot.

Countdown to Deadline: Don’t Sit This One Out!

We have until this Friday, January 27th to submit comments to the DEC regarding NY's largest landfill, located in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Seneca Meadows Landfill was slated to close in 2025, and instead, they've applied for an expansion (seven stories higher than it is now!) and an operating extension through 2040.

Crypto: Climate Change Accelerator, Capitalist Con

WATCH: System Change Not Climate Change Webinar

What the frack is cryptocurrency, anyway? Join us for a critical evaluation...who loves it, what it is, when and where it may be coming, why it's growing so spectacularly, and how it impacts climate.

Cryptocurrency critics angry at Hochul over punting air pollution permit decision

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced it would delay a decision for a second time on whether to approve a critical air pollution permit renewal for a controversial cryptocurrency mining operation on the shores of Seneca Lake.

Cryptocurrency Mining, An Emerging and Unregulated Industry?

LISTEN: WRFI Radio and Peter Mantius

Greenidge Generation LLC is a natural gas power plant that’s mining cryptocurrency on an industrial scale, and Greenidge aims to expand its operations.Torrey is a small, rural town in the heart of the Finger Lakes, situated on the west side of Seneca Lake.The Planning Board is reviewing a site plan application for Greenidge at it’s meeting on April 19th.

Deborah Goldberg Environmental Stewardship Scholarship

The Deborah Goldberg Environmental Stewardship Scholarship will be awarded annually to a Finger Lakes High School Senior who is pursuing a career in Environmental Law. 
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Call Governor Hochul:

Stop Bitcoin mining fracked gas power plants

Call Governor Hochul TODAY at 877-235-6537 to urge her to halt Bitcoin mining in New York, starting with the Greenidge power plant on Seneca Lake, and Fortistar power plant proposed for Niagara County.

PLEASE Call Governor Hochul TODAY!

Now's the time to keep that pressure going by calling Governor Hocul. Our friends at Food and Water Watch have set up a call line to do just that!

Important Actions and Updates on Greenidge Bitcoin Mining Facility

The climate change alarm bells are deafening and we’re seeing the impacts almost daily across the state, country and planet. There are vital actions for you to take in the coming weeks. We need all hands on deck now, if we are to protect our region-and beyond- in the days ahead.

Our air. Our water. Our vote.

This fall, New Yorkers will have the historic opportunity to enshrine the right to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment into the Bill of Rights of the New York State constitution.

We NEED You Saturday!

Join us at the DEC Headquarters. No: You’re NOT too busy.

We know you all have busy lives. We do too. But we are asking you to spend a few hours to SHOW UP on Saturday. WE NEED YOU TO DO THIS ONE THING.

We are paying for a bus that you can hop on.

The bus will be leaving from Watkins Glen and there are only a few seats left.
RSVP today!

Help Collect Data on Seneca Lake Fish Health May 29-31

Join us May 29-31 in conducting a fish health survey during the National Lake Trout Derby on Seneca Lake.

DEC Rally

Buses Provided to DEC Headquarters Rally 6/5 2-4

We are offering transportation via bus from Watkins Glen with several pickup stops along the west side of Seneca Lake en route to Avon, NY.

Important Organizational Sign On Letter

Climate Busting Cryptocurrency

We urge you to sign on to this letter urging New York to take a pause and study the impacts that proof of work cryptocurrency mining has on climate, air, water, and health before it expands across the state. If this issue is not yet on your radar, it absolutely must be now.

Greenidge Bitcoin Fracked Gas Power Plant

Action Toolkit

Here are some tips and tools to help us fight the expansion of the Greenidge plant.

Please sign on to protect the Finger Lakes and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed!

Two Ways To Lend your Support

Seneca Lake Guardian has recently learned of an ill-conceived plan to convert prime agricultural land into a needless, environmentally and economically dangerous garbage and construction/ demolition debris facility in Schuyler County- the heart of the Finger Lakes.
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Deborah Goldberg Environmental Stewardship Scholarship

The Deborah Goldberg Environmental Stewardship Scholarship will be awarded annually to a Finger Lakes High School Senior who is pursuing a career in Environmental Law. 

Help Stop Dirty Garbage Incinerator in the Finger Lakes

Call Today!

With the budget finalized, it's time for the Governor to sign the Finger Lakes Community Preservation Act of 2019 into law.  This bill would prohibit the construction of garbage incinerators within the Finger Lakes Watershed.
FLX Incinerator Victory!

Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation to Stop Waste Incinerators in the Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes Community Preservation Act to Protect Region’s Environment, Quality of Life and $3 Billion Wine and Tourism Industry

Romulus, NY – Two months after the New York State Senate and Assembly both unanimously passed the legislation to stop toxic incinerators in the Finger Lakes, Governor Cuomo has officially signed the Finger Lakes Community Preservation Act into law, showing how committed the Governor is to protecting the environment and local businesses of the region.

NY governor signs legislation to stop WTE project

UPDATE: May 28, 2019: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill (A5029A) on May 24 aimed at protecting "the Finger Lakes region from the adverse effects of the siting of newly constructed incineration facilities." The legislation effectively blocks plans for a new $365 million Circular enerG incinerator in the Finger Lakes region.

Urgent: Action Needed!

Cargill running seismic testing without applying for a permit

John Dennis, a co-founder of CLEAN, was out in his kayak doing a HABs survey on Sunday when he spotted what appeared to be Bay Geophysical’s seismic research vessel pulling a pneumatic air gun array and the single string of hydrophones that is used to implement 2D seismic studies of underground rock formations. A photograph of a Bay Geophysical doing a 2016 seismic study in front of Cayuga Power

Seneca Lake Guardian Reports On PFAS Testing

After being stonewalled by the Department of Health on whether PFAS were detected in drinking water sources near the Seneca Army Depot in Romulus, Seneca Lake Guardian independently sent test kits to the University of Michigan Biological Station Lab from different locations, including the Montour Falls, Watkins Glen and Seneca County Municipal Water Supplies along with 3 private wells in Romulus, NY.
FLX Garbage Dump Truck Route

Proposed Garbage Station in FLX

Immediate Action Required!

We recently learned of a proposal for a garbage transfer facility that could negatively impact areas around Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. Please review the overview that we have gleaned from the project application. We have exactly 10 days to submit comments to the DEC regarding this proposal (deadline September 24!), and to the Cayuta Town Board prior to October 14th.
FLX Garbage Dump Truck Route

Garbage Truck Route

Proposed Cayuta Facility In Schuyler County

“The concern is the negative impact on tourism,” SLG continues, “and the VOCs created by diesel trucks and their negative impact on agriculture, particularly grapes. Trucks taking Route 13 South to the Chemung County Landfill will have to pass through the Village of Horseheads.”
FLX Garbage Dump Truck Route

COMMENT DEADLINE FOR GARBAGE TRANSFER STATION DUE THIS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH!

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

We recently learned of a proposal for a garbage transfer facility that could negatively impact areas around Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. Please review the overview that we have gleaned from the project application. We have exactly 2 days remaining to submit comments to the DEC regarding this proposal (deadline September 24!), and to the Cayuta Town Board prior to October 14th.

Urge Schuyler County Legislature To Adopt A Trash Moratorium!

We recently learned of a Proposed Garbage Transfer Facility in Schuyler County with murky ties to Casella Waste.

A 10,575 square foot materials recovery facility that would accept municipal solid waste (Garbage), construction and demolition debris (C&D) and source-separated recyclables, with a maximum daily thoughput of 500 tons per day has been proposed in the Town of Cayuta.