New York State can lead the way to a clean energy future by building renewable energy, yet recent announcements from state agencies make it clear our climate justice plan is in trouble. A report from the Governor’s office signals the state may be poised to push back the first major milestone of the landmark Climate Law- 70% renewable electricity by 2030- accompanied by the announcement of a NYSERDA “Future Energy Economy” summit promoting nuclear power development and other false solutions to the climate crisis.

Decades of experience have demonstrated that nuclear energy is too toxic, too dangerous, too expensive, and too slow to build to be a climate solution. Additionally, the entire nuclear “cycle” perpetuates environmental injustice. Nuclear power generation is part of a uranium fuel chain which disproportionately impacts Indigenous communities. The process creates highly toxic radioactive waste which is transported through Onondaga Nation land and directly through the city of Syracuse, in violation of treaty agreements between the US and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. All nuclear reactors (old and new) must also store waste on-site, and there is no long-term plan for storing the waste and no safe way to transport it.

Instead of undermining an urgently-needed landmark climate law by continuing to waste taxpayer money on the nuclear power industry, New York State should follow it; building proven, safe, and quicker-to-complete projects such as energy efficiency/storage/conservation technologies, new renewable energy generation like wind and solar, and electrified public transit.

Governor Hochul’s summit in Syracuse, on unceded Onondaga land, will discuss the state’s strategy for our energy future. On the agenda is the release of a “blueprint” for propping up the nuclear power industry. Join us outside this summit to protect the clean AND safe energy future everyone deserves: one where we commit to climate justice, reject nuclear and all false fixes (including “renewable” natural gas and hydrogen), and create the future that we want for generations of people yet to come.

The organizers encourage masking due to ongoing high levels of COVID-19 in our communities. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring water, snacks, and sunscreen!

• Jeanne Shenandoah, environmental leader, Onondaga Nation
• Joe Heath, General Counsel for the Onondaga Nation
• Bob Howarth, Ecologist, Earth Systems Scientist, and Member of the Climate Action Council
• Mark Dunlea, Climate Activist and author of  "Putting Out the Planetary Fire: An Introduction to Climate Action and Advocacy."
• Kathy Nolan, pediatrician, Senior Research Director at Catskill Mountainkeeper, and cofounder of the Concerned Health Professionals of New York
• Avni Pravin, Deputy Director at Alliance for a Green Economy

After the press conference, we'll walk over the the Onondaga County Central Library for some refreshments, an opportunity to meet the other organizers, and a teach-in about New York's nuclear reactors and how we can coordinate our efforts to transition New York to a 100% renewable energy future.

Need a ride? Sign up to offer or join a carpool at: https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/bh7z52