Group's Renewable-Energy Campaign Expands

Group's Renewable-Energy Campaign Expands to Jefferson County, N.Y.

By Norah E. Machia, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y. -- April 6

A campaign by an environmental group to encourage local governments to buy renewable energy has expanded into Jefferson County.

The Citizens Campaign for the Environment, a nonprofit organization with offices throughout New York state, is advocating for counties to consider purchasing energy used for buildings and vehicles from sources such as wind and solar power, said Dereth B. Glance, Syracuse, program coordinator.

"We're encouraging local municipalities to power part or all of their electricity needs with renewable energy," she said.

Representatives of the organization go door-to-door asking people to write letters of support for renewable energy alternatives to Robert J. Thomas, R-Glen Park, chairman of the Jefferson County Legislature, she said.

A presentation for Jefferson County officials will be requested at a later date, she said.

The organization conducted a similar letter-writing campaign last year in St. Lawrence County.

St. Lawrence County Legislature Chairman Alex A. MacKinnon, R-Fowler, received more than 150 letters from area residents asking the county to consider purchasing more of the energy used to power its buildings and vehicles from renewable sources.

A presentation on renewable energy sources is scheduled for St. Lawrence County officials May 19, Ms. Glance said.

The group's effort, called "New York's Independence Depends on Energy Independence," is modeled on a 2001 executive order from Gov. George E. Pataki requiring state agencies to get 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2005 and 20 percent by 2020.

The Citizens Campaign for the Environment is advocating the conversion to renewable energy sources because they lack harmful emissions that lead to acid rain and health problems, she said.

The organization was established in 1985 and "works to build widespread citizen understanding and advocacy for policies and actions designed to manage and protect interdependent land and water resources, wildlife and public health," according to its mission statement.

Representatives of the organization are asking people to support their efforts and also asking people if they would like to contribute to the organization, she said.

Citizens Campaign is registered with the state attorney general's charities bureau office.

"We're trying to educate folks on these issues," Ms. Glance said. "We do ask people to help out with contributions, but they don't have to give."

"If they want to donate, we always prefer checks," she said. "If people don't have checks, we do accept cash. But we always give receipts."

The group maintains a Web site: www.citizenscampaign.org.

-----

To see more of the Watertown Daily Times, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.wdt.net