In an April 18 press conference, state and county legislators were joined by Sheridan Hollow community activists, including several from SHARE, in promoting the Renewable Capital Act (RCA), which was introduced in the legislature in February. Part of the press conference was captured in two videos (see below). Assembly members John McDonald and Pat Fahy described how the bill would require rapid transitioning of the state capitol, Empire State Plaza, and other state buildings to 100% renewable energy. Senator Neil Breslin noted how legislation such as this is crafted not just by legislators and their staff but in close collaboration with community activists and other residents — in this case ones who have been and continue to be most affected by the pollution generated by heating facilities in the neighborhood. Albany County Legislator Merton Simpson and community leaders Arlene Way and Brenda Robinson recalled some of the history of environmental injustice over the years, including how the worst pollution generated three decades ago by burning garbage at the ANSWERS plant resulted in high rates of cancer and other health problems among residents.
At this time, the Senate version of the bill (S8221) has five co-sponsors and is in the Rules Committee, while the Assembly version (A9341) has over twenty co-sponsors and is in the Governmental Operations Committee.
Video:
– RCA Press Conference, Part 1
– RCA Press Conference, Part 2