Section: Environment

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Croton's Adam Auslander Wins Clearwater's Short Film Competition

June 24, 2008

On their website, The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater has announced the winner of this year’s Clearwater Environmental Short Film Competition (CESFC) to be Adam Auslander of Croton-on-Hudson, for his entry titled “The Thin Blue Sign.”

Also set in Croton-on-Hudson, the film is a dark comedy about the evacuation bus plan for Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant (located only 6 miles away in Buchanan) where one family waits at a designated stop—denoted by a blue emergency evacuation sign—while everyone else around them panics.

To see more videos submitted by others to the CESFC—that made it as a top-ten finalist—please visit Clearwater’s film competition page.

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Summertime Energy Saving Tips from Con Edison

June 6, 2008

This just in from Con Edison—and just in time the the region’s first heatwave of the year.

With the first wave of 90-degree temperatures forecast to hit the region this weekend, Con Edison is urging all customers to use energy wisely during what is expected to be a period of extremely high electricity use. The company has invested more than $1.7 billion this year to upgrade and reinforce its electric delivery system to handle the high demand associated with extremely hot weather.

Customers can view a map of the company’s service area to see if there are any outages affecting their area by going to www.coned.com/sm/outageinfo.asp. They can also find safety tips and other useful information to help reduce the inconvenience of being without power if there is a service disruption by visiting Con Edison’s Storm Central Web pages at www.coned.com/sm/default.asp.

To conserve energy, the company recommends that customers take the following steps:

Continue reading "Summertime Energy Saving Tips from Con Edison ."

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Croton Earth Day 2008 by Ken Sargeant

June 4, 2008

Meet Ken Sargeant. He’s a film guy and he just posted this great video about the Earth Day festivities in Croton-on-Hudson, held in earlier this year in April.

In the video, you’ll learn how the name for Senasqua Park was chosen—according to centarian Ed Rondthaler and hear Conservation Advisory Council Chairman Joe Beber reflect on the evolution of Earth Day initiatives around Croton—all to the guitar-playing and singing of Fred Gillen. Oh yeah, and Leo Wiegman talks about the 43’ Striped Bass that former Trustee Charlie Kane recently caught.

This video runs 9:50—while you can see more of Ken’s films at his YouTube channel.

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Arrests Made in Connection with Metro North Fuel Spill

May 1, 2008

The Westchester County Department of Public Safety today filed criminal charges against the Metro-North Railroad and one of its supervisors in connection with a fuel spill at the Harmon Yard in Croton-on-Hudson.

The charges follow an investigation by the county police Environmental Security Unit into a 17,000-gallon spill that occurred on March 29 at the railroad’s Harmon Yard. The investigation revealed that a pipe, which leads to a holding tank system designed to contain such a spill, had been disconnected.

“Protecting the environment and our natural resources is one of our most important responsibilities,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “The Environmental Security Unit, which I created, is one of the key ways we accomplish this.”

Metro-North and its employee are each charged with one count of Endangering Public Health, Safety or the Environment in the 4th Degree, a misdemeanor under New York State Environmental Conservation Law. The charges were filed after consultation with the Environmental Crimes Unit of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.

The employee who was charged is Kenneth McHale, 56, assistant director of environmental services and compliance. The corporation and McHale were issued appearance tickets requiring them to appear in Croton-on-Hudson village court on May 28, 2008.

The oil spill was discovered March 29 by a railroad employee. The county police Environmental Security Unit was alerted to the spill by the environmental organization Riverkeeper.

“This was a significant spill that occurred near the Hudson River and had the potential of contaminating groundwater in the area,” said Ron Gatto, director of the Environmental Security Unit.

Related:

• “Cleanup Underway at Major Diesel Fuel Spill at Metro North,” April 2, 2008

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To Everyone Concerned About Indian Point

April 30, 2008

To the editor:

Entergy, the multi billion dollar corporation which owns Indian Point has convened a panel to assess the conditions at Indian Point. It is important to understand that this is NOT the Independent Safety Analysis we have been calling for, nor does it have anything to do with re-licensing. However, this panel might be able to suggest improvements in day-to-day operations. The panel is designed to look at current operating conditions at both plants. They have asked that members of the public send their questions and concerns to safety@nyindianpoint.org.

Members of the IPSEC core group attended the meeting on the 28th to observe the proceeding and get a clearer picture of what might be possible and how honest it might be. Individual panel members have assured us that they take their job seriously and will report any safety issues they find. While this may or may not be true, it now seems strategic to give them as much grassroots input as possible. It can be done quickly and easily by email. It is necessary to do this NOW because their evaluations will begin on Monday, May 5th. Anything you can think of that may be a compromise of standards or an environmental threat should be submitted. In theory, the more they see, the more they will dig, and potentially correct.

Your response to this request is important and appreciated in the struggle to close Indian Point. Here is what you need to do NOW:

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Plastic Bags...They're Everywhere!

April 25, 2008

Going green now includes new rules for recycling all those plastic bags. NBC’s (and Croton-on-Hudson’s) Rob Kaplan reports in the following video titled, “It’s in the Bag,” on April 24, 2008.

Locally, residents of Croton-on-Hudson can buy reusable shopping bags at ShopRite (South Riverside Avenue) and the A&P Supermarket (Albany Post Road North). As an alternative—and as part of their fundraising efforts—the Croton Free Library sells canvas tote bags while the Croton Harmon High School P.T.A. announced availably of “Croton Goes Green” shopping bags in December/January 2008 issue of CHHS News.

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Happy Earth Day!

April 22, 2008

To the editor:

On Earth Day we are faced with the intransigence of the Bush Administration and the danger they are unleashing on the environment.

At the same time, we see a panoply of green solutions to our problems, and a growing majority in Congress and the public who are ready to take action.

The Bush EPA may refuse to produce an endangerment finding or regulations for CO2 emissions, but the Arlington High School Action Club did the legwork and brainwork to put photovoltaic solar power on the roof of their school.

The CEOs of the top oil companies testified with straight faces that they don’t know if there is demand for biofuels, but citizens from the 19th District have jammed every forum we have held on biodiesel and other alternatives.

Continue reading "Happy Earth Day!."

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Like a Walk in the Park...for April 19

April 18, 2008

Photo: neatnessdotcom

Schedule of coming events for the Croton Point Nature Center, Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson.

Earth Day Shore Clean-Up

Join volunteers on on Saturday, April 19, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and help to make a difference by pitching in to keep our Hudson River shorelines free from trash. Work gloves and trash bags provided. Refreshments served. Meet at the nature center.

Please call 914-862-5297 for more information.

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Sustainability Fair Set for April 20th

April 16, 2008

To the editor:

In celebration of Earth Day, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Croton is sponsoring a Sustainability Fair on Sunday, April 20, from 1 to 5 PM at the Croton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2021 Old Albany Post Rd., Rt. 9A, across from Lupisello’s Garage, just west of the Montrose exit off Rt. 9 onto 9A. Admission is free.

It will feature exhibits and videos on:

• Home Insulation
• Renewable Energy
• Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
• Recycling
• Green Food Purchasing
• Green Home Cleaning and Beauty Products
• Composting
• Sustainable Schools
• Free Trade Coffee

The Westchester Raging Grannies will sing their latest earth-friendly tunes.

Four speakers (20-minute presentations) will discuss:

• Our Planetary Crisis with Peter Callaway
• Reducing Home Energy Costs with Lindsay Audin
• State Financial Help to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient with NYSERDA
• Green Legislative Issues, Saving $$ with Sandy Galef

Westchester County’s Veggie Van (which runs on vegetable oil) will be on the site. It’s entertainment for whole family! Climb aboard and enter the world of recycling. For further information, please contact Michelle Rodriguez by email at rodrigoo@optonline.net or by calling 914-238-4181.

Best wishes,

Lindsay Audin

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Volunteers Sought to Help with Plantings at Mayo's Landing

So, if you’ve been thinking, “Hey, I’d really like to help out on a reforestation project,” you’re in luck. As it happens, through a state grant, Chris Kehoe, Chairman of Croton’s Planning Board applied for a state grant—and received 139 small trees (approximately six inches in height) in addition to 439 shrubs—to be planted on Saturday, May 10, 2008, between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM at Mayo’s Landing on Nordica Drive (map).

Some residents may recall that much erosion has occurred of late on the steep slope that leads Croton residents and anyone with a New York State Department of Environmental Protection (NYSDEC) fishing permit to the banks of the Croton River. The village-owned property remains a very popular destination for bathers and kayakers alike during the summer. As a result of foot traffic and runoff after rainstorms from nearby streets over the years, much of the hillside’s young vegetation has washed away—and in some places, erosion gulleys have been created.

But fear not prospective reforesters, the NYSDEC will have already dug all of the holes by the 10th—so all that remains is for volunteers to place them in the holes, cover them with soil and provide them some water. Those interested are encouraged to please call Janine King, the assistant to the village manager at 914-271-4848.

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