Last night I made a presentation to the district's committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) on the impact of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (The State climate plan - CLCPA). The outline is attached along with a link to the executive summary of the CLCPA, just in case you missed it. The full 450 page report is also available.
The CLCPA has a major focus on climate justice and under-served communities. The Ithaca Green New Deal goes beyond the State in this regard. The recently approved New Energy NY grant application received $113 million of State and Federal Funding on a five-part program to improve the US supply chain for the battery industry. One part of the award provides $5 million for climate justice and $25 million is dedicated to workforce development with a major focus on under-served populations. The key positions for this program are being filled now.
The Green Jobs Corridor was developed by the Ithaca Green New Deal to focus on training of under-served communities in a broad region comprising the Southern Tier, Greater Rochester and Greater Syracuse. I belong to a large collaboration on this project representing Rotary, Tier Energy Network and other organizations. We are seeking funding. In the meantime, a local collaboration is working on a pilot project in Broome County. We are in the process of interviewing every organization and business involved in workforce development and under-served communities. This is a powerful way to understand the needs of our communities. We run into Rotary members that work on DEI as part of their jobs. This week we interviewed Nikki Post, Executive Director of the Southern Tier Community Center. Nikki is also the lead of the DEI committee for the Wyoming Conference. Nikki is a member of Endicott Rotary and the broad-based collaboration Endicott Proud.
The most recent development is a Clean Energy Career Path Summit to be held in each region of New York State. Our collaboration is supporting this effort and our summit will be held on May 2 at the DoubleTree in Binghamton. A save the date flyer is attached. The summit will include a job fair and expo. You will be able to meet many employers and service providers that can assist job seekers. There will also be a schedule of workforce related projects and events for the remainder of the year.
The district conference is being held at the 1,000 Islands Harbor Hotel, May 5 through 7. They have extended the early bird rates to March 17. This district conference will be a partnership of the three districts forming Central NY Rotary. I have been asked to do a 20-minute presentation on watersheds on Saturday Morning. This presentation will incorporate the district to the west. This super region has been jointly planning President Training Conferences for decades. This region is blessed with watersheds: Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, Susquehanna River, Delaware River, Hudson River and probably more. Our approach is holistic and involves protecting our natural assets, biodiversity and the climate challenge. We are also interested in community development projects like the proposed Susquehanna NY Water Trail project that stretches 190 miles from Cooperstown to the Finger Lakes. We should be able to fill 20 minutes.
I am happy to announce that Evan Kurtz will be co-leading the Environmental Sustainability Committee. We have a great vision; we need more project managers. We have a place for you, and you do not need to be a member of Rotary.
Spring is coming,
Jeff Smith
The CLCPA has a major focus on climate justice and under-served communities. The Ithaca Green New Deal goes beyond the State in this regard. The recently approved New Energy NY grant application received $113 million of State and Federal Funding on a five-part program to improve the US supply chain for the battery industry. One part of the award provides $5 million for climate justice and $25 million is dedicated to workforce development with a major focus on under-served populations. The key positions for this program are being filled now.
The Green Jobs Corridor was developed by the Ithaca Green New Deal to focus on training of under-served communities in a broad region comprising the Southern Tier, Greater Rochester and Greater Syracuse. I belong to a large collaboration on this project representing Rotary, Tier Energy Network and other organizations. We are seeking funding. In the meantime, a local collaboration is working on a pilot project in Broome County. We are in the process of interviewing every organization and business involved in workforce development and under-served communities. This is a powerful way to understand the needs of our communities. We run into Rotary members that work on DEI as part of their jobs. This week we interviewed Nikki Post, Executive Director of the Southern Tier Community Center. Nikki is also the lead of the DEI committee for the Wyoming Conference. Nikki is a member of Endicott Rotary and the broad-based collaboration Endicott Proud.
The most recent development is a Clean Energy Career Path Summit to be held in each region of New York State. Our collaboration is supporting this effort and our summit will be held on May 2 at the DoubleTree in Binghamton. A save the date flyer is attached. The summit will include a job fair and expo. You will be able to meet many employers and service providers that can assist job seekers. There will also be a schedule of workforce related projects and events for the remainder of the year.
The district conference is being held at the 1,000 Islands Harbor Hotel, May 5 through 7. They have extended the early bird rates to March 17. This district conference will be a partnership of the three districts forming Central NY Rotary. I have been asked to do a 20-minute presentation on watersheds on Saturday Morning. This presentation will incorporate the district to the west. This super region has been jointly planning President Training Conferences for decades. This region is blessed with watersheds: Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, Susquehanna River, Delaware River, Hudson River and probably more. Our approach is holistic and involves protecting our natural assets, biodiversity and the climate challenge. We are also interested in community development projects like the proposed Susquehanna NY Water Trail project that stretches 190 miles from Cooperstown to the Finger Lakes. We should be able to fill 20 minutes.
I am happy to announce that Evan Kurtz will be co-leading the Environmental Sustainability Committee. We have a great vision; we need more project managers. We have a place for you, and you do not need to be a member of Rotary.
Spring is coming,
Jeff Smith
District 7170, Enviromental Sustainability Chair
Food Waste Reduction and Diversion Reimbursement Program Open to New York State Municipalities, Businesses, and Not-for-Profits
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 03/02/2023 04:30 PM EST
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 03/02/2023 04:30 PM EST
Food Waste Reduction and Diversion Reimbursement Program Open to New York State Municipalities, Businesses, and Not-for-Profits
Program Offers Reimbursement of Eligible Project Costs for Equipment and Technologies That Divert Food Waste from Landfills.
New York State municipalities, businesses, and not-for-profits that have purchased, or plan to soon purchase equipment, technologies, or other items to divert food waste from landfills could receive up to 44% of eligible costs back through the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute’s Food Waste Reduction and Diversion Reimbursement Program.
Who is eligible?
New York State businesses, not-for-profits, and municipalities that produce, haul, or recycle greater than one ton of food waste per week.
New York State businesses, not-for-profits, and municipalities that produce, haul, or recycle greater than one ton of food waste per week.
What can be reimbursed?
Projects that result in an increased amount of food waste diversion from landfills or incineration through the use of equipment or technologies.
Purchases including equipment, technologies, or other items.
Projects that result in an increased amount of food waste diversion from landfills or incineration through the use of equipment or technologies.
Purchases including equipment, technologies, or other items.
Projects implemented between June 1, 2017, and April 1, 2023.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The application deadline is May 1, 2023.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The application deadline is May 1, 2023.
For complete program details and to download an application, visit the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute website. New York State Pollution Prevention Institute website.
Questions can be emailed to Ava Labuzetta, Sr Pollution Prevention Engineer at allp2i@rit.edu.
Climate Smart Communities
Municipalities may receive certification credits under New York’s Climate Smart Communities program for implementing climate-smart materials management actions, including those that reduce food waste. Visit the Climate Act website for more information.
Municipalities may receive certification credits under New York’s Climate Smart Communities program for implementing climate-smart materials management actions, including those that reduce food waste. Visit the Climate Act website for more information.
2023 Calendar for Environmental Sustainability and Community Service
Introduction: Starting to develop a calendar for Environmental Sustainability and Community Service events for 2023 for Rotary District 7170 clubs. Many clubs are adding environmental perspectives to some of their traditional community events. Please send additions to Jeff Smith at jsmith1532@aol.com.
March/April: Key time to purchase seedlings and Heritage Trees. Contact Robert Aagre and Andrew Flach for details.
April 22: Earth Day
May 13: Lithium-ion battery and devices recycling event in Endwell. Other locations are encouraged. This year the local chapter of the Sierra Club is sponsoring a re-use week for Binghamton University students from May 8 to May 11. Students traditionally leave significant number of materials at the curb that end up in our landfill. The Sierra Club will be re-using these materials. This year they will also be collecting Lithium-ion batteries and devices from the University that will be taken to our recycle event. The recycling company is Redwood Materials. They recycle batteries into rare materials used in the manufacture of batteries.
June 3: Annual paddle event at Crumhorn Pond. Clubs urged to consider similar events on other sections on any of the rivers in the district.
June 5: World Environment Day. Each year on this day we publish our updated environmental sustainability strategy. Last year’s edition is attached. All ideas are welcome.
June 15: The tentative date for the annual service club night at the Rumble Ponies. Wanted to pick a date where exchange students are still available. The family of Rotary is invited including Interact, Rotaract, Rotary Community Core, Student Exchange, RYLA, Rotary, Community Partners and friends can participate. Other service clubs will be present. We will have an information table in the concourse and can show a brief video on the score board. The final date will be posted on the promotion schedule for the Rumble Ponies.
July tbd: Annual clean-up of the Susquehanna River in Cooperstown Area.
Fall tbd: Annual river-bank clean-up in Broome County. Typically attract 200 volunteers for 20 sites. Five Rotary clubs were involved.
Club Presentations:
Net Zero Waste: Cindy and Chris Burger: csburger@frontiernet.net
Net Zero Carbon Footprint: Cindy and Chris Burger
Driving an electric vehicle: Cindy and Chris Burger
MIT Climate Model simulation: John Finn: jfinn.pe@gmail.com
Rotary District 7170 Environmental Sustainability Strategy: Jeff Smith: jsmith1532@aol.com
The Value of Planting Trees: Robert Aagre, Andrew Flach: robertaagre@cs.com
Community Needs Assessments: Jeff Smith
Community Collaboration: Jeff Smith
New speaker volunteers are welcome.
Growing Roots
A tradition in the community, our Garden Harvest with VINES - Growing Roots has spread its roots around the town. Over the years, we have planted, cultivated and maintained the community garden through VINES. We are sourcing ideas from the community to better serve produce to those who need it most.
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