More solar energy for New York by 2030? and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware Region September 30 to October 6

Posted 9/28/21

Measure to confirm PEMA director advances in Senate    

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Senate has approved legislation requiring Senate confirmation of the …

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More solar energy for New York by 2030? and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware Region September 30 to October 6

Posted

Measure to confirm PEMA director advances in Senate    

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Senate has approved legislation requiring Senate confirmation of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director, according to Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), who sponsored the bill.

Senate Bill 461 was passed by a bipartisan vote of 30 to 19, taking a positive step toward establishing a more robust check and balance system for PEMA, a statement noted, which will increase accountability and ensure the agency is prepared to deal with emergencies efficiently and effectively.

More solar energy for New York by 2030?

ALBANY, NY — On the first day of Climate Week 2021, Monday, September 20, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a call for the expansion of the NY-Sun program to achieve an expanded goal of at least 10 gigawatts of distributed solar installed by 2030. Expanding the program is expected to help bolster the state’s economic recovery following COVID-19 with the creation of an additional 6,000 solar jobs beyond the 12,000 that now exist across the state. A portion of those jobs will be ongoing operations and maintenance work which will remain throughout the 25+ year project lifespans.

Currently installed distributed solar projects combined with projects that are under development bring the state to 95 percent of the current Climate Act goal to install six gigawatts of solar by 2025.

Concealed carry seminar

MONTROSE, PA — A Concealed Carry Castle Doctrine Seminar will take place on Thursday, October 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Bridgewater Church, located at 10142 State Route 167 in Montrose. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

Registration is required for this event. Those who wish to attend can call Rep. Jonathan Fritz’s Montrose office at 570/278-3374 or RSVP online by visiting repfritzpa.com/events or call Pickett’s Towanda office at 570/265-3124.

A Senior Expo will be held on Thursday, Oct. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Salvation Army’s Ladore Pavilion, located at 287 Owego Tpk. in Waymart. Representatives from various state departments and local organizations will be present to talk with seniors and their families about programs and services at their disposal. For more information, call Fritz’s Honesdale office at 570/253-5533.

New York to expand polystyrene, food waste regulations

ALBANY, NY — Effective January 1, 2022, no covered food service provider or store (retail or wholesale) will be allowed to sell, offer for sale, or distribute disposable food service containers that contain expanded polystyrene foam in New York state. In addition, no manufacturer or store will be allowed to sell, offer for sale, or distribute polystyrene loose fill packaging (commonly referred to as packing peanuts) in the state.

The public is invited to review and submit written comments on the proposed Part 353 rulemaking through Nov. 22. A virtual public hearing will be held on Nov. 15 at 1 p.m.

LWV Pike County schedules online forums for area candidates

MILFORD, PA — The League of Women Voters of Pike County will host a forum for Delaware Valley School District candidates via through Zoom. It will be recorded and then shared online and to the press. Three DVSD candidates have indicated their willingness to participate.

Later that same day, at 7 p.m., the league has scheduled an online forum for the two candidates running for Milford Borough mayor, although at this time only incumbent Mayor Sean Strub has responded to the invitation to participate. Local League president Liz Forrest explained, “We hope in the coming days that challenger Lisa Emery will agree to the forum. If not, no forum for this office can be held.”

Anyone wishing to view the forums live on Zoom should send an email request to lwvpikecounty@gmail.com by noon, Saturday, October 2.  

Open Space Institute protects Shawangunk Ridge property

MAMAKATING, NY — The Open Space Institute (OSI) announced on Tuesday, September 21 that it has permanently protected a forested property in the Town of Mamakating. The property was once slated to be developed into a casino resort. OSI’s latest acquisition adds to the network of OSI-conserved properties in Ulster, Sullivan, and Orange counties, furthers regional connectivity of protected landscapes, and provides significantly enhanced access to trails and recreational lands on the Shawangunk Ridge.  

Proposed at one point as a site for new resort casino development, the property is adjacent to Route 17/Interstate 86 and is highly visible from several vantage points throughout western Orange County. OSI’s conservation of the property protects the southern Shawangunk Ridge viewshed and scenic views from the ridge.

ECS receives $60,000 for connectivity

ELDRED, NY — As part of the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program, Eldred Central School will receive $60,000. The funding was announced by Rep. Antonio Delgado.

“Every student should have reliable internet access,” said Delgado. “This first round of Emergency Connectivity Fund grants will help upstate schools close the digital divide and end the homework gap that disproportionately affects rural communities.”

A second application filing window opened on September 28 and will close on October 13. Those monies will provide funding for eligible equipment and services received or delivered between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. The funding is available for the purchase of laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons in need, and is available to support off-campus learning, such as homework and virtual learning as schools continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional information on the Emergency Connectivity Fund program is available at: www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org. The program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company, with oversight from and under rules unanimously adopted by the Federal Communications Commission.

Pennsylvania Senate, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director, Senator Lisa Baker, Climate Week 2021, NY-Sun, Climate Act, Concealed Carry Castle Doctrine Seminar, Representative Jonathan Fritz, Senior Expo, League of Women Voters of Pike County, Delaware Valley School District, Milford Borough mayor, Open Space Institute, Town of Mamakating, Emergency Connectivity Fund PRogram, Eldred Central School District, Representative Antonio Delgado

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