Environment & Living Green
Preserving the environment of our community is a shared responsibility. Financial pressures to increase development are posing a threat to our local environment.
Top Stories
Community wants cement plant mercury emissions gone
STUYVESANT — “Go the extra mile.” That was the unspoken message of speaker after speaker at Thursday’s meeting between the public and officials from Lafarge Cement and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
New zoning plan on the horizon
Expert land planner Randall Arendt addressed highly concerned citizens of Rhinebeck and the Hamlet of Rhinecliff last Friday night and Saturday morning regarding the Rhinebeck Comprehensive Plan and Draft Zoning Code now being worked on by Sally Mazarella, Chair of the Comprehensive Plan Committee for the Town of Rhinebeck.
$40,000 to help Tivoli buy land for park - Scenic Hudson grant will cover fees for CSX deal
TIVOLI - A $40,000 grant from Scenic Hudson will help the village complete the purchase of property for a riverfront park.
Cement plant to face the public
STUYVESANT — Local citizens will have the chance to quiz a Lafarge Cement spokesman as well as state and local officials about the plant’s mercury emissions and proposed modernization 7 p.m. tonight at Stuyvesant Town Hall, Route 26A.
Hall renews call for action on energy price crisis
GARDNERTOWN -- The second regional congressional representative in as many days is calling for national policy changes in oil company contracts and the release of oil reserves to help lower home heating oil and fuel costs as a short-term remedy in preparing for worst-case scenarios come this winter season.
Schumer proposes help with fuel costs
WASHINGTON - School districts could get help in coping with rising fuel costs, a looming crisis that threatens to blow holes in budgets throughout the state next school year, under legislation proposed by Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Mayor wants Tivoli to go ‘green’
TIVOLI – Village of Tivoli Mayor Bryan Cranna Friday encouraged all elected officials and department heads in the village to be aware of environmentally sound and safe products when making purchases.
Research: EPA Funds Ground-Breaking Lyme Disease Research
(New York, NY) In the United States, Lyme disease is the most frequently reported disease that can be passed from animals to humans. These animal-borne diseases can make people very sick, and proper anticipation of disease outbreaks and effective intervention are crucial to protecting the public.
Local farmers markets 'typically self-regulating' - Agencies ensure laws are followed
Every week, farmers, bakers, artists and other vendors fill tables at more than a dozen markets around Dutchess and Ulster counties.
Exxon Mobil’s second quarter earnings irk Dem lawmakers
WASHINGTON – House Members Maurice Hinchey and Kirsten Gillibrand, who each represent portions of the Hudson Valley, Thursday lashed out at Exxon Mobil for its $11.68 billion second quarter profit.
Dutchess lawmakers push for heating conference
POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Legislator Joel Tyner, chairman of the Environment Committee, has submitted a resolution seeking to have a home heating summit held similar to that which Ulster County conducted recently.
Central Hudson formally submits rate hike request
CENTRAL Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. filed a formal request on Thursday to raise the amount it charges to deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses across its eight-county service area.
State funding announced for community gardens
NEW PALTZ - A new grant program that will strengthen community gardens was announced Friday with the first grant being presented to the Community Garden at SUNY New Paltz.
Hudson River generally OK for swimming, study finds
NEW YORK - The Hudson River is scenic and historic - but swimmable?
Trail of progress Legislature OKs funds for rail trail work, open space protection
Dutchess County legislators approved a $4.5 million bond to continue the expansion of the Dutchess County Rail Trail at their July 14 meeting. The funds were part of a $10 million bond that County Executive William Steinhaus asked the Legislature to consider earlier this month.
PCBs found, but drinking water within standard - 2 municipalities have pollutant
Though PCBs were recently found in drinking water in Poughkeepsie and Rhinebeck, the state Department of Health says the systems tested were all within drinking water standards set under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
Hinchey, Clinton latest to lobby for hydro-power at Catskills reservoirs
WASHINGTON – Both Congressman Maurice Hinchey of Hurley and US Senator Hillary Clinton have called on the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to move forward on a proposal for the Delaware County Electric Cooperative to develop hydro power facilities at four New York City reservoirs in the Catskills.
Senator opposes court ruling on emissions
CROTON-ON-HUDSON- US Senator Charles Schumer Monday scolded federal court judges who recently ruled against a three-year-old Environmental Protection Agency program which would have required power plants across the nation to abide by stricter emissions, and offered a resolution to address the issue.
Power under the bridge - Schumer promoting push to harness reservoir water for hydro-power
New York State has just announced it will provide close to $100 million in funding to improve 26 state parks, including Minnewaska. A master plan is in the works.
Too Few Get Too Much - Hinchey hopes Obama will invert tax structure, take big oil to task
Two score and ten turned out last Sunday for a community forum hosted by Saugerties favorite son and congressman Maurice Hinchey. The event at the Saugerties Senior Center, billed as a mini-speech and feedback session, centered on economic issues.
Greenway/Trails Committee
