FCWC 2002 Annual Report

Indian Point
Indian Point presented the biggest environmental catastrophe waiting to happen in Westchester County - the potential for the pollution of our air with radioactive particles. In the wake of the events of September 11, FCWC concluded that this unacceptable risk in our community had to be addressed now with a shut down of Indian Point. To advance that goal, FCWC sits on the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition steering committee, worked on the passage of the Indian Point resolution at the county legislature, spoke at public hearings, citizen gatherings and rallies and published a comprehensive analysis of the Indian Point issue. FCWC has also begun a new campaign to foster energy conservation and efficiency through its publications and conferences as the availability of adequate energy is a component some view as critical to an Indian Point shut down.

“FCWC’s input played a central role in the review and eventual passage of the resolution concerning Indian Point at the County Legislature.”

County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz, Chair, Environment and Health Committee

Global Warming
Energy and Green Building Global warming caused by the emission of CO2 is a threat to our world as we know it and is caused not only by power plants but also by the 30% of total CO2 emissions that come from our buildings. To reverse this impact of human conduct, FCWC devoted considerable attention to energy matters in 2002. FCWC’s letter urging energy measures to the county executive and the legislature led to a series of hearings on renewable energy sources and ultimately to the creation of a new energy committee on the board of legislators as well as to the reappointment of an energy coordinator by the county executive. FCWC has embarked on a revitalized public education campaign on energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy through articles, conferences and its work with schools.

Edna Sussman at Indian Point Rally

Incinerators
FCWC’s urban work led it to discover that Westchester County is the only county in DEC Region 3 that still has building incinerators. The attention FCWC brought to this issue in its newspaper sparked renewed interest in the issue at the County Health Department and led to a resolution before the county legislature urging municipalities to ban these incinerators, a resolution now before the full county legislature for a vote.

“FCWC’s initiative led this year to the conduct of a series of hearings in the environment committee on renewable energy resources and ultimately led to the creation of a separate energy committee at the county legislature.”

County Legislator Marty Rogowsky, Chair, Energy Committee