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Progressive Action Roundtable: A forum for progressive groups in the Greater New Haven Area where actions and ideas may be publicized so that others are aware of peace, health, justice, energy, environmental and other issues for the common good.

Archive for category Environment

Stop the New Haven Sludge Incinerator!

May 2

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Environment | No Comments

– By Lynne Bonnett, NH Environmental Justice Network

New Haven Environmental Justice Network’s (NHEJN) goal is to safeguard the health of New Haven residents and reduce illness from environmental pollution. When the Greater New Haven Regional Water Pollution Control Authority (GNHWPCA) was created in 2005, NHEJN got environmental safeguards incorporated into the agreement. The New Haven Board of Aldermen unanimously passed a non-binding resolution calling for the new sewer authority to stop importing sludge and to find alternatives to sludge incineration in New Haven.

Synagro, Inc. operates and maintains the sludge incinerator under contract from GNHWPCA.  They truck 18 tons (12 semi truck loads) of sludge a day from other communities in CT to incinerate in New Haven.

Sludge contains hazardous chemicals coming from flame retardants, personal care products, herbicides, pesticides, cleaning products, hospital waste and drugs. Sludge incineration releases mercury and other heavy metals, sulfuric and hydrochloric acid, volatile organic compounds including benzene, and radionuclides into our air and water. New Haven’s inner harbor is very contaminated with heavy metals; based upon recent core sampling 92 % of the inner harbor sediment contains toxic levels of mercury for plants and animals that live there.  How many of us have seen residents fishing and crabbing in these waters?

The incinerator is old technology; it is dangerously close to residential homes; pollutants such as liquid mercury and benzene rain down on homes within ½ mile radius of the incinerator. Mercury in the soil is 70 times more toxic than lead according to the EPA.

Why are we doing this? Bridgeport is currently looking at building an anaerobic digester and GNHWPCA should be doing the same. GNHPWCA plans to decide this year whether to renew the contract for outside sludge incineration. These hazardous chemicals cause cancer, birth defects, illness and pollute our environment.

Please visit our website:  nhejn.wordpress.com/current-issues/sludge-incineration and/or contact Lynne Bonnett at lbonnett01@att.net.

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Solar House Tour and Seminar April 14

Apr 2

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by Judi Friedman, People’s Action for Clean Energy

Voluntown, Connecticut will be the site of a comprehensive solar house tour and seminar Saturday, April 14. Tour/seminars of the winning 2011 Connecticut Zero Energy Challenge house will be held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.. The owners, as well as green recycling, insulation, geothermal and solar experts, will speak about clean energy, smart energy, and provide relevant literature.

The 2800-square foot passive solar cape has superior insulation; a geothermal heating and cooling system; a leased 10.8 kW photovoltaic solar electric system; and a heat recovery ventilation system. A Jotul wood stove backed up by a ventless propane gas log; irrigation provided by an old well, rain gutters and a spring; Energy Star rated windows, appliances and lighting and water-conserving fixtures  make this a very “smart” house.

The house was built economically using reclaimed wood, and the beautiful site is on preserved agricultural land. There are opportunities to hike in nearby Patchaug State Forest headquarters, with its old cedars and huge rhododendrons. The Voluntown Peace Trust house is also on the tour.

The tour/seminar is sponsored by People’s Action for Clean Energy (PACE) in conjunction with the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA), the CT Chapter of the Sierra Club and the North Stonington Citizens Land Alliance.

Reservations will be accepted in order of receipt for the April 14 tour, which will be held rain or shine. The non-refundable tickets are $20. per person. To order tickets, go online to www.pacecleanenergy.org  Tickets may also be ordered by sending $20.00 per person to PACE c/o Donna Grant, 128 Melrose Road , Broad Brook , CT 06016 . Information should include the ticketholder’s phone number, address and email address. For ticket information, call (860) 623-5487. For tour information, call (860) 693-4813.

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Connecticut’s Largest Sustainable Food and Agriculture Conference, March 3

Mar 4

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Environment, Events | No Comments

–Bill Duesing, CT NOFA

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (CT NOFA) announces its 30th Annual Winter Conference, an important focal point about the future of our food system. Geared not only toward farmers, but also gardeners, locavores, homesteaders and anyone interested in a sustainable lifestyle, the conference features workshops, internationally-celebrated speakers, and the renowned potluck.

The 2012 Winter Conference’s keynote speaker is Jeffrey Smith, noted author and speaker on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). He is the author of Seeds of Deception and Genetic Roulette, and will share insights on the real threats that GMOs pose to local food production as well as to consumers’ health. A second workshop on GMOs will be hosted by Daniel Ravicher, legal counsel representing CT NOFA and 80 other plaintiffs against Monsanto to legally protect small farms and farmers.

The Winter Conference is a celebration of local foods and farms. In keeping with this theme, attendees are encouraged to bring a favorite food dish for the potluck feast. Local, organic vendors including Sweet Sage Bakery of Madison, CT and Bean & Leaf of New London, will be selling delicious, sustainable treats. Children are welcome to spend time in the Family Play ‘n’ Chill room.

The CT NOFA 30th Annual Winter Conference will be held March 3, at Manchester Community College, on Great Path Rd in Manchester, CT, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration is $50 for NOFA members, $60 for non-members ($35 for students or seniors). For more information and registration online, visit www.ctnofa.org, or call the office at  (203) 888-5146.

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March 3: “Sustainable Living, Community Resilience, and Transition Towns” with Tina Clarke

Mar 4

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– Katie Bunn, Canton Public Library

On Saturday, March 3, at 1:30 p.m., Canton Public Library hosts Tina Clarke in a program titled “Sustainable Living, Community Resilience, and Transition Towns.”  The presentation is funded by a grant from the Newman’s Own Foundation.

A “transition town” is one that has recognized that we are on an unsustainable trajectory in our energy use, our economy, and our treatment of the planet. The international Transition Towns movement seeks to address issues of sustainability by “engaging local communities in vibrant, grassroots community initiatives that increase local self-reliance and resilience.” The movement believes that the challenges we face are not insurmountable, but our approach to meeting the challenges is key: “If we act as communities, it might just be enough, just in time.”

Tina Clarke is a certified Transition Towns Trainer who has worked with over 60 communities across the U. S. and Canada. While in Washington, DC, she directed the Greenpeace USA’s citizen activist network. As a Campaign Director for Clean Water Action, she initiated and helped lead coalitions on environmental justice, toxins, and energy. And Tina “walks the walk.”  She lives in a below-zero energy house that she helped design and build, with passive solar heating, Platinum LEED, and low toxins. The house is free of all fossil fuels and wood-burning, and it generated 2.5 times more energy than needed in 2009.
The program “Sustainable Living, Community Resilience, and Transition Towns” is free; registration is requested. Canton Public Library is at 40 Dyer Avenue, Canton. For information: (860) 693- 5800 or www.cantonpubliclibrary.org

Vermont faces legal challenge in effort to close aging nuclear plant

Mar 4

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Energy, Environment | No Comments

– Free Speech Radio News, posted: 23 Feb 2012

The state of Vermont will continue to fight to shut down an aging nuclear plant that shares the same design with the ones in Fukushima that exploded and melted down in Japan. The VT Yankee nuclear power plant was scheduled to close in March, when its 40-year-old state license expires. But a federal court ruled in January that the state had overstepped its authority when it blocked the plant’s owner, Entergy Nuclear, from extending the license. The VT attorney general announced he would appeal the ruling.

Via: Vermont faces legal challenge in effort to close aging nuclear plant | Free Speech Radio News.

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Vermont Barred from Shuttering Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant | Democracy Now!

Jan 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Environment | No Comments

Jan. 20, 2012

A federal judge has blocked Vermont from forcing the closure of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant when its license expires in March. The Vermont Senate voted to deny the company a new operating license in 2010, but the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission extended the plant’s license in the days following last year’s Fukushima nuclear crisis. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge J. Garvan Murtha overruled Vermont’s effort, saying only federal authorities can regulate nuclear safety. The Vermont Yankee plant is one of the oldest in the country and has had a series of radioactive tritium leaks. Vermont officials are expected to appeal the ruling.

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‘Breach of Peace’ march in New Haven goes off without a hitch

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Environment, General, Human Rights | No Comments

– Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor, New Haven Register

NEW HAVEN ? Communities came together Saturday afternoon under the banner of a “Breach of Peace” march against police brutality. Members of Occupy New Haven met with representatives from People Against Police Brutality, Blacks and Latinos United, Unidad Latina en Accion and Frontline Soldiers at Chapel and Day streets and then moved the protest to the detention center on Whalley Avenue. About 50 people participated, according to Jewu Richardson of New Haven, a speaker against brutality.

While the relationship between New Haven police and occupiers on the Green has been positive, Occupy movements across the country have experienced mistreatment from police, “so we’re standing in solidarity with them,” and other local issues, Richardson said.

“We’re standing strong with the     community. We’re standing up for people’s rights,” said Jennifer, a part-time occupier from Hamden.

Read the complete article online at:

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2011/12/17/news/new_haven/doc4eed5bd8a7b47596766917.txt

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CT Coalition for Environmental Justice News

Oct 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Environment, Events | No Comments

CCEJ’s 7th Annual Conference on October 29 will take place at the UConn School of Business – Hartford. The cost is $25 in advance, $30 at the door; $15 college students and seniors. CCEJ’s conference will educate activists and CCEJ supporters on the impacts toxics have on our health, environment, and communities and how encouraging non-toxic products can strengthen the economy. Environmental justice activists from throughout the region will meet and learn together and share their challenges and successes in fighting for environmental justice. For more information go to http://environmental-justice.org/ConfInfo11/ConfInfo2011.html

New England Environmental Justice Forum will have a Regional Training Workshop on November 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, 457 Main St., Hartford. It is free, including lunch & childcare. The Regional Training aims to bring together environmental justice attorneys, law students, advocates, organizers, and other professionals from New England to share ideas, learn from one another, and plan future work. The Forum is especially interested in learning about community residents’ legal and technical assistance needs.

Participants will meet other environmental justice advocates who work in communities relatively close by. Lawyers interested in providing assistance in environ-mental justice matters will receive training on how to work with grassroots groups. There will be opportunities for interaction between advocates and lawyers, with the hope of starting long lasting relationships. Additionally, four open mic issue rooms will be set up where participants will be asked to speak about their campaigns and how those campaigns reduce health disparities and address climate change. Come prepared to talk!

For more information go to: neejfhartfordregional.eventbrite.com.

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PACE Presents: Crash Course: SOLUTIONS!

Oct 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Environment, Events | No Comments

– Judi Friedman, PACE

PACE (People’s Action for Clean Energy, Inc.) presents new ideas for the new paradigm–ideas to save yourself…and the planet! Saturday, November 19 at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Avenue, Hartford (1/10 mile north of intersection of Routes 44 & 189). Free admission, donations are welcome.

Starting at 4 p.m. the film The Economics of Happiness will be shown. At 5 p.m. there will be exhibits by Solar Energy Installers, Lighting Companies and other Environmental Exhibits. Little City Pizza will serve dinner and homemade desserts and coffee are available for purchase.

At 7 p.m. there will be a short Annual Meeting followed by Awards: Lifetime Achievement (Bill Duesing – Executive Director, CT Chapter Northeast Organic Farming Association); State Government Award (Dannel Malloy – Governor) and Clean Energy Leader Awards (Bryan Garcia – President, CT Clean Energy Fund, Bob Wall – Director, Energy Marketing Initiative, CT Clean Energy Fund, and Roger Smith – Director, Clean Water Fund)

Finally at 8 p.m. a panel of Duesing, Garcia, Smith as well as Nick Kacher of the New Economics Institute and Nichole Strack of 1000 Friends of Connecticut, will discuss Crash Course: SOLUTIONS!–Saving Ourselves And Saving The Planet.

For more information call: (860) 693-4813 or go to www.pace-cleanenergy.org. PACE is a non-profit public health organization.

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Senator Blumenthal Co-Sponsors Safe Chemicals Act

Oct 4

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– Interreligious Eco-Justice Network

IREJN is pleased to announce that Senator Blumenthal agreed to co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act, ground-breaking legislation that would require companies to provide information on the environmental and health safety of their chemicals.

The Safe Chemicals Act is a strong move to protect the health of America’s most vulnerable people.  In addition to requiring safety reports on chemicals, the bill states that failure to maintain accurate reporting would result in the chemical’s removal from the market.  In addition, chemicals must be proven safe before entering the marketplace.  The bill would also require immediate action on the worst chemicals, such as lead, mercury and flame retardant. These toxic chemicals build up in our systems and are especially harmful to pregnant women, developing fetuses, babies, children, the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions. Thank you to all who called, e-mailed and wrote Senator Blumenthal!

Join us for A Crude Awakening at A Sacred Trust Forum! IREJN’s 10th Annual A Sacred Trust: A Forum on Religion and the Environment will feature a screening of A Crude Awakening, a film about our nation’s addiction to oil.  After the movie, we will hear commentary from Brent Blackwelder, President Emeritus of the Friends of the Earth and a pioneer in the environmental movement. A Sacred Trust will be held on Wednesday, October 5th from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Hartford Seminary at 77 Sherman Street in Hartford. Registration costs $25.

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Free Solar Home Tour Oct. 1

Oct 4

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– Judi Friedman, PACE

On Saturday, October 1, 12 noon to 4 p.m., a Canton home with a large solar electric installation will be open for free tours of its energy-saving technologies as part of the 16th annual National Solar Tour. The homeowners and PACE (People’s Action for Clean Energy) volunteers will explain and answer questions about the home’s grid-tied and off-grid photovoltaics (PV), daylighting and solar domestic hot water system. Highly useful solar and other clean energy information will also be available.

The PV installation at this site consists of 40 Astropower 110-watt photovoltaic modules with a maximum output of 4400 watts. Zomeworks trackers on three pole mounts follow the path of the sun, moving from east to west. The PV system is connected to the electric power grid by the Connecticut Light and Power intertie system; when the PV panels produce more electricity than the house and associated buildings need, the excess electricity goes through the utility grid to neighboring homes. The homeowners are then paid for this electricity by the utility.

This unique home uses solar irrigation, a patio pool solar pump and solar hot water systems; energy-efficient appliances; a wood stove; wind turbines and window quilts. To reach the home, turn north onto Lawton Road at the intersection of routes 44 and 177. Travel for .8 mile, bearing left at the fork. Turn right at the top of the hill onto the dirt driveway and follow the parking signs. For more information, please call (860) 693-4813.

To learn about other buildings that are part of the National Solar Tour, see www.solarconnecticut.org, www.pace-cleanenergy.org, www.ases.org or www.nesea.org.

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Edgewood Park Will Get 45 Fruit Trees Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 2

Aug 31

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– Semi Semi-Dikoko, Friends of Edgewood Park

Friends of Edgewood Park rallied the community to vote for its orchard project in a national contest and ultimately won a fruit tree orchard Aug. 1.

On Friday, Sept. 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers will plant 45 fruit trees and a dozen berry bushes in the 123-acre park that borders Westville, Edgewood, Beaver Hills and the West River neighborhoods. Semi Semi-Dikoko, president of Friends of Edgewood Park, said the idea is to give people even more reasons to visit and enjoy the urban oasis. Info: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=177723882296458.

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‘Moving Connecticut’ beyond fossil fuels — Sept. 24

Aug 31

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– Chris Schweitzer, New Haven Environmental Justice Network

On Saturday, Sept. 24, communities across CT will have activities that will send the message: “Move beyond fossil fuels.” “CT communities are working for a healthy planet and a brighter future.” “Our movement is here.” “Politicians are stuck in the mud, but citizens like us are not.”

Come out and be a part of the critical mass–this big beautiful movement–and tell our politicians that caring about our planet is our priority.

It’s time to gear up for Moving Planet — A Day to Move Beyond Fossil Fuels, 350.org’s day of international action! This time around, 350.org is aiming BIG, asking for massive turnouts in major cities, and New Haven is one of them!

Are you interested in joining in this effort? Let’s plan Connecticut’s largest grassroots climate action to date! Our work is already underway. Get in touch to get involved!

MOVING CONNECTICUT (actnh.org/move and http://on.fb.me/jLWXpT on Facebook) is going to be bigger and more beautiful than ever before. The last two years we’ve seen our community rally together for these global days of action and do what our politicians will not: find a way forward together. Moving Planet in Connecticut will be a chance for people across the state–young and old, student and professional, of all races and genders and political leanings–to come together and celebrate the motion that will save our planet: bicycles filling the streets, hands tending our gardens, nature walks inspiring us with a sense of place, ride shares and buses and trains that make travel affordable and available for all.

But we can’t do it without you. We know now more than ever before that no one is going to step up for us and fight for the change our planet and its people desperately need. The hope for the future is in us, ordinary citizens with jobs and families, who want a safe and healthy future for our children and people around the world. The only way we’ll get there is together, raising our voices together for the future we need. On September 24th we’ll be moving.

Join in: actnh.org/join.

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