Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter (NY)

10/17/2026

The rapid growth of data centers projected for New York is poised to overwhelm utilities, undermine environmental quality, increase public health impacts, and put ratepayers at risk for dramatically increased costs because of the infrastructure and extraordinary power demands of these facilities. Imagine one of these AI hyperscalers, several stories high, covering 15 foot ball fields of micro processors, whirring 24 hours a day at high decibels, spewing contaminated cooling water and polluting the air with dirty back up generators - is placed in your community with little government oversight or local control. The stakes are high and New York’s communities are not ready for the 30+ hyperscale data centers waiting for permission from grid operators to come online right now.

Fortunately, Governor Hochul declared a moratorium on such construction through Executive Order 62 until the Public Service Commission (PSC) concludes an environmental, economic, and grid reliability assessment of NY’s future data centers which will inform new policy, regulation and a benefits blueprint. Will you help us make sure this process is fair and comprehensive?
Send your message to the PSC today!

The rapid growth of data centers projected for New York is poised to overwhelm utilities, undermine environmental quality, increase public health impacts, and put ratepayers at risk for dramatically increased costs because of the infrastructure and extraordinary power demands of these facilities. Im...

09/30/2026

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our dear friend and Chapter Chair, Kate Bartholomew.

Kate touched so many lives and was a fearless warrior for justice, especially where there were threats to the natural world. For two decades she was a volunteer leader with the Sierra Club and for the past 8 years served as the chair of the Atlantic Chapter, managing the organization’s day-to-day environmental campaigns across New York State. Kate also served in many capacities within the national Sierra Club and was a forceful advocate for preserving the volunteer core and grassroots soul of the organization. She played a major leadership role in achieving NY’s fracking ban, fought tirelessly against the proliferation of nuclear energy and weaponry, and supported efforts to protect endangered species, wolves especially. Her background as a high school science teacher grounded her as an advocate both in the fastidious establishment of fact and the patience and diplomacy to build agreement among the most strident activists. By her own admission, Kate herself was a bit rough-around-the-edges and did not mince words when she felt passionate about an issue. It was that quality, along with her difficulty in saying “no” to any cause in need, that advanced her to many leadership positions. The void she leaves behind within the Sierra Club is immense, and we know the bonds of friendship she forged through fierce compassion and advocacy will help sustain the Chapter that she has led for more than a decade. It will take time to process this devastating loss, but we will honor Kate's legacy and dedication through our continued work here in NYS (and beyond).

Kate's obituary can be read here: (https://www.roycechedzoy.com/obituaries/katheryn-bartholomew). A memorial service will be held outside at “The Knoll”, Davis Farms, 5281 Peach Orchard Pt. Rd., Hector, NY, Friday, October 2, 2026 at 4 p.m.

The Sierra Club will also be hosting a virtual celebration of life for Kate to be held on October 20th at 12pm EST. More information to follow. 💚🐱🐺🌳🌎☀️

09/10/2026

Tomorrow, 9/11/26: Join us at Churchtown Dairy for an exclusive screening of The Sludge War, a five-year investigative documentary.

​When a young woman discovers her community was built on land contaminated by a secretive program designed to make toxic waste disappear, she embarks on an investigation into one of the most consequential environmental cover-ups in U.S. history.

​Through never-before-seen depositions, interviews with insiders, and testimony from some of the most respected scientific minds in the field, the film reveals how this dangerous material was intentionally woven into everyday life across the country, entering the places where we live, work, and play.

​Admission is complimentary. Link in bio to RSVP.

​Event Schedule

​7:30 p.m. | Film Starts
9:00 p.m. | Q&A with the director.
9:30 p.m. | Event Concludes

08/25/2026

To learn more about the problems associated with sewage sludge and land application, join us for a screening of “The Sludge War”. This new film will be shown on Wednesday Aug 26, from 6-8:30 pm at the Spectrum in Albany. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion and Q & A with the filmmaker.

Galassia Grassetto, the independent filmmaker, spent 5 years researching and making this eye-opening, compelling film. The Sludge War as a much welcome addition to the documentaries and other films about sludge and the catastrophe of land application.

Galassia is currently showing her film selectively around the country and will be able to join us this Wednesday evening in Albany, NY! If you are in the Albany area, we hope you can make this special screening.
To learn more about the problems associated with sewage sludge and land application, join us for a screening of “The Sludge War”. This new film will be shown on Wednesday Aug 26, from 6-8:30 pm at the Spectrum in Albany. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion and Q & A with the filmmaker.

Registration is requested for the Albany screening.
Link in bio to register and to watch the film’s trailer.

08/24/2026

To learn more about the problems associated with sewage sludge and land application, join us for a screening of "The Sludge War". This new film will be shown on Wednesday Aug 26, from 6-8:30 pm at the Spectrum in Albany. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion and Q & A with the filmmaker.

Galassia Grassetto, the independent filmmaker, spent 5 years researching and making this eye-opening, compelling film. The Sludge War as a much welcome addition to the documentaries and other films about sludge and the catastrophe of land application.

Galassia is currently showing her film selectively around the country and will be able to join us this Wednesday evening in Albany, NY! If you are in the Albany area, we hope you can make this special screening.

See here to view the film’s trailer (https://www.thesludgewar.com/trailer).
Registration is requested for the Albany screening.
Click here to register: https://luma.com/ybsmc24u

Join us at the Scene One Spectrum 8 theatre for an exclusive screening of The Sludge War, a five-year investigative documentary. When a young woman discovers…

06/04/2026

Today is the last day of scheduled Legislative Session and the Super Bills still haven't been voted on in both houses.
Take Action Today: Reach out to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and urge a VOTE on these extremely important policies that would mean cleaner air, cleaner water, and less toxic communities for NYers.

06/01/2026

Deadline Extended until June 8th!
The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter is a proud co-partner in this effort. See below on ways that you can help to provide ingredient disclosure around the ingredients that are in diapers and adult incontinence products here in NYS. You don't need to buy anything, but can simply take photos of ingredient labels next time you are out and about at your local store, or even the items you may have in your own homes!
Deadline to submit photos has been extended to June 8th!

Join the Diaper Ingredient Project. Your photos can help identify potentially harmful ingredients in diapers and incontinence products and support safer products for families.

New York’s diaper ingredient disclosure law, which took effect in December 2025, is the first law in the U.S. requiring manufacturers of diapers and adult incontinence products to list ingredients on packaging. The law creates an important opportunity to better understand what ingredients are present in these products. This project will also help examine how the law is being implemented, identify gaps in disclosure, and strengthen the case for safer products.

Learn more and submit photos by June 8: bit.ly/weavedip

05/22/2026

Three bills await passage in the NYS Assembly: The Comprehensive PFAS Ban, The Beauty Justice Act, and The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act.

New York has already taken steps in recent years to phase out toxic chemicals like PFAS in firefighting foam, food packaging, apparel, and carpets, but further action is needed to protect public health.

These policy pieces can relieve a lot of misery from New York’s future — with the promise of fewer cancer deaths, cleaner drinking water, and greater resources for our communities burdened with the costs of waste disposal and toxic clean ups.

Urge Assembly Speaker Heastie to finally pass these bills through his house, and restore the legislature’s commitment to a clean and healthful environment. Send your message today!

The regressive legislative rollbacks in the 2026-27 budget are certain to reverse years of environmental progress in New York, with negative outcomes like the prolonged use of expensive fossil fuels, higher energy costs, degraded air quality, contaminated drinking water and unwanted community sprawl...

05/14/2026

Be sure to get your photos in by May 22nd!
Learn more about this project here:
https://weavingvoices.org/diaper-ingredient-transparency-project/

Join the Diaper Ingredient Project! Your photos can help explore potential harmful ingredients in diapers and incontinence products to support safer products for families!

New York’s diaper ingredient disclosure law, that went into effect in December 2025, is the first law in the U.S. to require manufacturers of diapers and adult incontinence products to include a list of ingredients on the package. This law creates an important opportunity to better understand what ingredients are present in baby diapers and adult incontinence products. Now, we want to see what companies are actually disclosing on shelves.

📍We’re especially calling on people in New York to submit photos as the law rolls out — but submissions from anywhere are helpful!

Learn more and submit photos by May 22: bit.ly/weavedip

04/22/2026

The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter is proud to be a part of the Earth Day Advocacy Day at the NYS Capitol today! We are here, advocating for a less toxic future where the climate law is supported and enforced and toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are not polluting our communities. Thank you for all you do - let’s make sure every day is for protecting our Earth! 🌎🌳💦🌱