News

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A Personal Message From SLG VP Yvonne Taylor

This is your call to action. Adding YOUR voice is the only way.  Each one of you needs to make noise, if we are to preserve this region, and prevent it from succumbing to the Greenidge facility that harms our clean air, water, and thriving agri-tourism economy.

Urgent: We need All Hands On Deck Monday 6/27 11:30 Geneva

Please take an hour of your time to join us at the Gazebo in front of the Finger Lakes Welcome Center in Geneva on Monday June 27th at 11:30 am. We'll be holding a press conference and rally urging Governor Hochul to stop delaying the signing of the bill into law and to deny Greenidge's Title V Air Permit Renewal. We need YOU there, and please bring 100 of your friends.

BREAKING: NYS Senate Passes First in the Nation Cryptomining Moratorium

Watch the Press Conference

We're excited to announce that the NY Senate passed the crypto moratorium bill at 2:00 am today. This was despite the fact that the pro crypto lobby spent millions to oppose it.  A very heartfelt THANK YOU to all who put effort into this victory!!! 

URGENT! Crypto to jeopardize CLCPA - need S6486D passed in Senate!

I am writing with an urgent request for a show of support for S6486D, which would put in place a 2-year moratorium on crypto mining that is done in fossil fuel power plants and directs DEC to conduct an environmental review.

ICYMI: Gov. Hochul Takes Cryptomining Cash As She Considers Regulations

Governor takes money from cryptomining supporters aligned with anti-gay, anti-abortion, far right Club for Growth, + Cornell Professor’s Op-ed Asks Why Gov. Hochul Is Ignoring Science, Not Pausing Cryptomining to Protect Climate & Uphold NY’s Crucial Climate Goals

NY should follow the science on climate and ban crypto mining

Guest Opinion by Anthony Ingraffea

It’s up to Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation to be the leaders on climate they claim to be. They must follow the science, deny Greenidge’s permits, and support a
cryptomining moratorium. Our climate law — and the climate itself — is at stake.

Spring has sprung!

What Seneca Lake Guardian’s been up to

As we ride out upstate New York's Spring weather fluctuations, we wanted to take a moment to catch you up on what Seneca Lake Guardian has been up to, and let me tell you, it's a LOT. Over the past 11 years, we’ve perfected our craft and streamlined our efforts to keep the Finger Lakes fishable, drinkable and swimmable for generations to come!

After months of delay, NY still reviewing 4,000 public comments for Finger Lakes power plant owned by Bitcoin miners

gothamist

At a Monday morning press conference, two Cornell University researchers disclosed that they had reviewed all those comments in less than a week — and found that 98.8% were strongly opposed to renewal of a for-profit power plant running 24/7 with very little public use.

The bitcoin mine vs. the world

Regulating bitcoin mining is a bit like whack-a-mole. But it appears New York regulators are taking their sweet time picking up the padded hammer: For a second time, they’ve punted on air pollution permits for an upstate mine tied to a gas power plant.

Gov Hochul + DEC Punt Decision on Greenidge Generation Air Permits Again

Today, after a previous two-month delay and more than a year of advocacy by residents, business owners, wine makers, environmental activists, and elected officials, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) again pushed back its deadline to make a decision about Greenidge Generation's Title V Air Permit Renewal.
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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!

URGENT: Seneca Falls Board Pulls Another Fast One

The Town of Seneca Falls has scheduled to bring back a vote on its Host Community Agreement with Seneca Meadows Landfill at tonight's Board meeting starting with a Public Hearing on the Town's Comprehensive Plan at 6:00 pm, 130 Ovid St, Seneca Falls, NY 13148-2300, United States.

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

Urgent! New York’s Climate Law About to be Gutted.

Please Call Hochul!

Please call Governor Hochul and urge her to NOT include the Parker/Barrett bill in the State Budget – it will gut the Climate Act and worsen the climate crisis.

Urgent Action Needed in Seneca County

We have been informed that the Seneca Meadows Landfill is trying to get resolutions of support for its expansion in every Town in Seneca County.  They were successful in getting a resolution of support from the Town of Varick last month, and aim to get more this month.

Town of Hector to Vote on Expansion of NY’s Largest Landfill in FLX

If you are a Town of Hector Resident, we wish to share an opportunity with you to weigh in on protecting the Finger Lakes region from  accepting 6,000 tons of garbage daily from 47 counties in NY, four other states, and one country -for another 15 years.

Think Landfills Shouldn’t Be Near Homes and Schools? Sign On To This Letter!

We have an opportunity to comment on the NY State DEC's Proposed New Regulations that would prevent landfills from being sited or expanding near schools and landfills.  This sign on letter is for both individuals and organizations. Please complete this google form today!

Stop the Greenidge fracked gas power plant

Call Governor Hochul: 877-235-6537

Call Governor Hochul TODAY at 877-235-6537 to block the Greenidge power plant on Seneca Lake, which is burning fracked gas for cryptocurrency mining.

Seneca County Local Businesses, Advocates, and Residents Announce Lawsuit Against Seneca Meadows Inc. and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Lawsuit Alleges Seneca Meadows, the Largest Landfill in New York State, Violates New York State Constitution Green Amendment

A group of Seneca County businesses, advocates, and residents hosted a virtual press conference to announce a lawsuit they are bringing against Seneca Meadows Inc., the operator of New York’s largest landfill, Seneca Meadows, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Save the Date - We need YOU!

Earth Day Rally

ABC News and other media outlets will be in the Finger Lakes on Saturday, April 22nd at 11:30, covering the story about the Seneca Meadows Landfill on Earth Day.  We are planning a big rally and we need a HUGE turn out.
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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.

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.

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. 

A Dirty Waste—How Renewable Energy Policies Have Financed the Unsustainable Waste-to-Energy Industry

The end of the 20th Century saw a major shift in the United States’ approach to energy policy. After decades focused on fossil fuel production, the country began to realize that renewable sources of energy were the way of the future. Governments relied on both mandates and tax incentives to encourage the use of energy from sources like solar and wind power. Waste- to-Energy (“WTE”) power is another form of energy production that is classified as renewable. This Note summarizes the WTE pro- cess and the laws that allowed it to grow, argues that WTE is not economical- ly sound or environmentally sustainable, and proposes legislative changes to prevent more harm from WTE in the future.

Seneca Lake Guardian

The Eyes, Ears and Voice Fighting for Clean Water

Waterkeeper Alliance, a global movement uniting more than 270 Waterkeeper organizations and affiliates, recently approved a new affiliate, Seneca Lake Guardian. Joseph M Campbell and Yvonne Taylor of Gas Free Seneca are excited to extend their efforts as the Seneca Lake Guardians to protect and preserve Seneca Lake, one of New York's Finger Lakes, by combining their firsthand knowledge of the watershed with an unwavering commitment to the rights of the community.

Hidden emissions

A story from the Netherlands
Case Study

Although presented as state of the art, the youngest incinerator in the Netherlands is far from a clean: long-term tests reveal emissions of dioxin, furan and persistent organic pollutants far beyond the limits.

The case of the REC plant raises important questions for future policy-making concerning waste incineration and its potential effects on public health and the environment.

Letter to Tompkins County

Re: Cayuga Power Plant

Seneca Lake Guardian’s mission is to promote sustainable energy, increase investment in water supply/sewer systems, and to challenge destructive power plants, reckless development and decrepit infrastructure around Seneca Lake and throughout the Finger Lakes Region. As such, we write to urge you to adopt Resolution A, which asks the DEC to categorically deny Cayuga's application to convert to fracked gas, asks the Governor to provide support for transition to renewable energy, acknowledges that Cayuga’s proposal will result in significant environmental impacts, and calls on the DEC to require Cayuga to submit a full Environmental Impact Statement.  

Judge Hears Lawsuits Against Romulus by Incinerator Corporation Circular enerG

Reserves Decisions on all motions

Waterloo, NY- In a packed courtroom, the Honorable Judge Doyle heard two Article 78 proceedings filed against the Town of Romulus by garbage incinerator applicant Circular enerG.

Judge reserves decisions on Romulus incinerator cases

WATERLOO — After listening to oral arguments for about an hour Friday, state Supreme Court Justice Daniel Doyle reserved decisions on two Article 78 proceedings initiated by the company interested in building a trash-burning incinerator in Romulus.

Lawsuits addressed in Romulus trash incinerator hearing

WATERLOO, N.Y (WENY) -- In the Seneca County Courthouse Friday morning, Circular EnerG and the Town of Romulus voiced their sides regarding a potential trash incinerator to coming to the town, at the former Seneca Army Depot. The hearing addressed two lawsuits filed against Romulus by the Rochester-based company challenging a zoning determination, and the town's revised zoning laws. For Circular EnerG, it hopes to come out on top after the ruling.