Environmental Justice Ministry of First Unitarian of Rochester

06/05/2026

Thanks to everyone who emailed or call during this long slog to make data centers serve the public interest, this is a significant step forward, assuming the Governor signs it, stay tuned.

06/03/2026

We're down to the wire, justa day or two left to get PRRIA passed this session. PLEASE ACT NOW- call SPeaker Heastie at 518 455 3791 and ask him to bring PRRIA to a vote before end of session.

Please make a critical phone call today to urge your Assemblymember to vote YES on The Packaging Reduction + Recycling Infrastructure Act to cut plastic packaging by 30% in NY. Hurry! We're down to the wire to pass the bill before your legislators leave Albany on June 4.

05/15/2026

Insidious !

astroturfing (noun): organized activity that is intended to create a false impression of a widespread, spontaneously arising, grassroots movement in support of or in opposition to something (such as a political policy) but that is in reality initiated and controlled by a concealed group or organization (such as a corporation)

aka, what a private utility company will do when their ($100 million+) profit margin is threatened

via Tom Perkins for the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/07/us-utilities-fund-groups-against-public-power-lobby

05/15/2026

We have a chance to reduce plastic pollution in NYS. Tell your Assembly member to push passage of PRRIA A1749a this session-

05/15/2026

For the health of everyone!
So important to make these phone calls NOW, while legislation is being discussed. Call our leaders (have friends do the same) to ask for their continued support:

PRRIA will be in Conference! (Plastic packaging and reduction, 30%; more Info below)
Ask your Assembly member to speak up for it! Most are co-sponsors:

Bronson 244-5255
Clark 467-0410
Jensen 225-4190 (republican, not co-sponsor
Lunsford 223-9130
Meeks 454-3670
**Also Better Bottle Bill A6543
"Hi, my name is and l'm a constituent calling from —I'm calling to urge the Assemblymember to please vote YES on the Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act (Assembly Bill 1749a). This bill passed through the Senate two years in a row but has never come up for a floor vote in the Assembly. Also, please inform the Speaker you'll vote YES on A1749a. (only say the last sentence if you think they are a yes vote)

More info:

The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act shifts the financial burden of managing waste from taxpayers to the producers.

05/09/2026

Mark May 20 on your calendars!

We are hosting a free webinar at 7pm EDT and all are welcome including advocates, organizers, neighbors and anyone who cares about New York’s energy future.

Governor Hochul has been building nuclear energy into the foundation of New York’s energy plans while more affordable renewable options keep getting sidelined. Nuclear is too costly, too toxic and too slow and Indigenous communities are already paying the price.

Communities across the state are fighting back and this webinar is where we get organized.

Register here:

05/08/2026

Hope that we all have begun to eliminate plastics from our lives to improve our, no our world's health. I welcome hearing from Dr. Jane van Dis, again!

04/23/2026

Yesss, it's official. Read the comments for a bit more information.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17MvgMXhpm/

04/09/2026

Gov Hochul is listening to fossil fuel donors, ask her to be a real climate leader and enact the Climate Law CLCPA instead.