Current Projects
Petitioning to Get Our Green Party Candidates on the Ballot
Members of the Steuben County Green Party
will be collecting signatures to place
the names of our statewide candidates'
on the November 2, 2010, general
election
ballot.
The
candidates need to file
at least 15,000 valid signatures to get
their names on the ballot. The independent
petitioning period begins Tuesday,
July 6. Petitions have to be filed by Tuesday,
August 17. We have set a goal of collecting
1,000 signatures in Steuben County.
For
more information
on how to petition for Green Party candidates
in New York, click
here.
Studying Health and Environmental Impacts of Gas Drilling
The Steuben Greens have been studying
possible
health and environmental impacts in our
area if the DEC allows widespread use of
these techniques. We sponsored a public
forum
on the health and environmental impacts
of new horizontal
gas drilling
techniques on Wed., Nov. 5, 2008, at the
Bath Fire Hall. The forum began with a
showing of a 31 minute documentary film
on the
impacts of horizontal drilling and hydraulic
fracturing in Colorado by Two Cent Films
and Crestone Media.
The documentary featured
Dr. Theo
Colborn, a research chemist who has studied
the chemicals used by drilling companies
in their hydraulic fracturing
fluids. Dr. Colburn's website, http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/, gives the
results of her studies of the health effects of the products and chemicals
used in drilling, fracturing (frac'ing, or stimulation), recovery and
delivery of natural gas. She has analyzed chemicals used by gas drilling
companies in Coloroda, Montana, New Mexico, Washington and Wyoming. Her
research provides a glimpse at the patterns of possible health hazards
for those living in proximity to gas development.
Acting on our concerns that extensive
environmental and health damages
are likely to be caused by
drilling gas wells
in the Marcellus Shale if horizontal
drilling
and high pressure hydrofracturing are
allowed in New York State, the Steuben
County Green
Party adopted a resolution November 16,
2009, calling on the state legislature
to adopt a ban
on
permitting gas wells that use
these techniques. In
so doing, the party joins the Green Party
of New York and 63
other groups across New York State
calling for such a ban.
The resolution lists the reasons why
we are calling for a ban:
Because of our concerns that environmental
and health damages lasting long beyond
our lifetimes will extend across New York
State if gas drilling is permitted using
horizontal drilling and high pressure hydrofracturing,
Because damaging economic consequences
to residential and commercial property
values, tourism, agriculture, forestry,
wineries, colleges and universities will
result from damaging health effects,
Because the infrastructure costs of building
and repairing roads, water treatment facilities,
and other public services needed by the
gas drilling industry will exceed the economic
benefit to local communities,
Because New York State has no laws restricting
industrial scale water withdrawals from
our rivers, lakes and aquifers,
Because the citizens of New York are not
protected from the toxic effects of oil
and gas drilling by Federal and New York
State environmental laws that apply to
other industries,
Because the subsidies granted to oil and
gas drilling promote the use of fossil
fuels and undermine the development of
conservation, efficiency, and renewable
energy sources, and
Because the global warming effects of
the methane in natural gas are many times
greater than the global warming effects
of carbon dioxide,
Be it resolved that the Steuben County
Green Party calls on the New York State
legislature to adopt a ban on permitting
gas wells that use horizontal drilling
and hydro-fracturing to release gas from
tight sand and shale formations.
Sign the Ban Petition
To sign the petition calling for a ban
on hydrofracking in New York State, go
to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/NY-Statewide-Ban-On-Natural-Gas-Drilling
Organizing NY Green Fest
Members of the Steuben Greens helped organize NY
Green Fest, a bienniel festival
of green living and Green politics, held
this year on the campus of Alfred University
in Alfred, NY the weekend of Aug.7-9, 2009.
Darin Robbins gave a presentation on the
Importance of Theory in Independent Progressive
Politics.
Working to Promote Local Economies
On May 29, 2008, the Steuben Greens held a panel discussion on
grassroots strategies for building Bath’s local economy.
The Steuben Greens have been active in the Bath NY Group, which is working
to build Bath's local economy.
The
group
believes
that
many
small
local
businesses will provide a much healthier long-term economy for the area
than chain stores and big box stores. Steuben Green member Darin Robbins
is the author of our flyer on How
to Build a Local Economy.
Working to Promote Locally-Grown Food
The Steuben Greens initiated the formation of Farm to You,
a network of consumers, farmers, food producers and food markets whose
mission is to build markets for local grown food in Steuben County and
the surrounding Southern Tier area. The 2008 Farm to You Local
Food Directory is in production now. For more information,
email steubengreens at ecobooks.com. For information about our goals
in setting up this project, click
here for the CSA proposal prepared by Lisa Chacon.
Support for Locally-Owned Wind Energy
The Steuben Greens filed comments on the draft scoping documents
of two wind farm developers proposing wind farms in Prattsburgh in northern
Steuben County. Our comments supported the development of wind energy,
but called for smaller, locally-owned wind projects. Read comments.
The Steuben Greens have joined the Citizen
Power Alliance. The Citizen Power Alliance is a coalition of independent
groups centered in the Finger Lakes promoting sound energy and environmental
policy.
Working to Promote IRV and Proportional Representation
The Steuben Greens are working to support the adoption of IRV and proportional
voting in local elections. Darin Robbins is working to get the Corning
City Coucil to conduct a nonbinding referendum to ascertain voter support
for these voting methods.
Opposition to Electronic Voting
Members of the Steuben Greens are working on issues relating to the use
of electronic voting machines by Steuben
County and elsewhere in New York State.
Editorial Campaign
The Steuben Greens have a campaign
to write letters to the editor on a regular basis. In this way, we keep
the Green Party and our values in the public discourse. At election time,
we write letters in support of our Green candidates.
Living Wage Campaign
Members of the Steuben Greens are working for the adoption of a living
wage ordinance in Corning.
Peace and Justice Issues
The Steuben Greens work on peace events through our local, which is a
member of the Finger Lakes Peace Coalition,
and through other local peace groups, including the Bath Peace and Justice
Group, the Corning Peaceful Gatherings Group and the Elmira Peace Studies
group. We have organized programs, local demonstrations and local participation
at demonstrations in New York City and Washington, DC.
Medical Marijuana
On April 2, 2004, the Steuben Greens sponsored a community forum on medical
marijuana. Dr. Jennifer Daniels, from Syracuse, spoke on the medical
properties of marijuana, their efficacy compared to legal drugs, and a
current bill to legalize medical marijuana in New York .
Steuben County Green Party Platform
The Steuben Greens are preparing a platform
of Green ideas for Steuben County.
Green Party of New York State Platform
The Steuben Greens have submitted a number of suggested planks to the
Green Party of New York for inclusion in the state
Green Party platform. A 2006 state platform was approved at the May
20, 2006 meeting of the Green Party of New York state committee.
Bill of Rights Defense Resolutions
Members of the Steuben Greens helped get a Bill
of Rights Defense resolution passed in the Town of Urbana, and are
working on resolutions in the Town of Bath, the City of Corning, and the
Steuben County Legislature.
Steuben County Green Party Bylaws
In November 2004 we formed a county Green Party organization in accordance
with the state Green Party bylaws to facilitate our participation in the
state platform process. Click here to review
our bylaws.
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