Our History
Starting March 4, 2003, the core organizing committee met every two weeks to forumlate a mission, vision, business plan and structure for a broad based coalition of sustainability advocates.
Accomplishments, Milestones, and Events
December 28, 2020
At the request of the NY Youth Climate Leaders, GreeningUSA signed on to a letter to Governor Cuomo and Legislative leadership urging them to end nonessential fossil fuel subsidies in New York in the SFY2021-22 budget.
December 15, 2020
GreeningUSA signed on to a Letter Opposing the National Grid Upstate Rate Hike. Not only does the rate hike come at a time of economic distress due to the ongoing pandemic, but some of the rate hike will be used to expand fossil fuel infrastructure, at a time when doing so is contrary to the goals set forth in New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection act.
December 11, 2020
GreeningUSA hosted a virtual Green Bag Lunch titled, “Protecting the Skaneateles Lake Watershed: Progress and Challenges” featuring a discussion with Frank Moses, Executive Director, Skaneateles Lake Association and Aimee Clinkhammer, Watershed Coordinator, Finger Lakes Water Hub, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
December 2, 2020
GreeningUSA, at the request of New Yorkers for Clean Power, signed on to a letter to Governor Cuomo to support an equitable and sustainable Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) for New York. TCI is a regional collaboration of 11 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia.
November 10, 2020
GreeningUSA hosted a virtual Green Bag Lunch titled, “Biodiversity: What is means and why it’s important for survival”, featuring a discussion with Richard “Rick” Smardon, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at SUNY/ESF and Emanuel J. Carter, Jr., Associate Professor in Landscape Architecture at SUNY ESF.
October 13, 2020
GreeningUSA hosted a virtual Green Bag Lunch titled, “PARKlets: Using Syracuse Streets for More Than Just Parking Cars”, featuring a discussion with Michael John Heagerty with PARKlets and Matthew D., Lupiani, AIA, SWBR Architects.
September 11, 2020
GreeningUSA hosted a virtual Green Bag Lunch titled, “Affordable and Green Housing in Syracuse’s Community Grid”, featuring a discussion with Baxter Hankin, Architectural Intern, Robert A.M. Stern Architects, presenting his Architecture thesis.
August 27, 2020
GreeningUSA, at the request of the New York Youth Climate Leaders, signed on to a letter to “Stop Funding Climate Destruction and Pass A257C”, which would require the state government to disclose all fossil fuel related tax expenditures and eliminate those that are deemed non-essential.
August 14, 2020
GreeningUSA hosted a virtual Green Bag Lunch titled, “Getting NYS powered by its landscape: Siting Renewable Energy Projects”, featuring research by Xiaowen (Abby) Cui, Syracuse University Masters’ Degree summer intern. Abby presented with Sean Perry, Developer of Alle-Catt Wind Farm; and Richard C. Smardon, PhD, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, SUNY ESF.
July 31, 2020
GreeningUSA hosted a virtual Green Bag Lunch titled, “Housing Syracuse”, presented and moderated by Roberto Quijano, Syracuse University Maxwell Masters Degree summer intern, along with panelists Crystal Cosentino, Deputy Executive Director at Home HeadQuarters; Sharon Sherman, Executive Director of Syracuse Tenant; and Aggie Lane with Urban Jobs Task Force.
July 29, 2020
GreeningUSA signed on to a letter urging Governor Cuomo to sign A.9952-B/S.7880-B into law banning the burning of PFAS firefighting foam at the Norlite Incinerator in Cohoes, NY, at the request of NYPIRG. The incinerator is across the street from a public housing complex.
June 12, 2020
GreeningUSA held a Virtual Green Bag Lunch titled “Carbon Fee & Dividend: Magic Bullet or Poison Pill?“, a presentation by and discussion with Martha Viglietta with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Syracuse Chapter.
June 11, 2020
GreeningUSA hosted a “Virtual Green Drinks Syracuse” using our GoToMeeting platform. Attendees were able to talk about what they were drinking, and about their commercial and non-profit efforts for a sustainable future.
June 3, 2020
GreeningUSA signed on to support a letter to Governor Cuomo advocating to: reject National Grid’s fossil fuel infrastructure expansion proposals; choose the No Infrastructure option; and, at all times, fully enforce the equity and justice provisions of the CLCPA.
May 27, 2020
GreeningUSA submitted a comment to the Public Service Commission against further development of natural gas use and the pipeline infrastructure that feeds it, advocating for it to be phased out, at the request of Renewable Heat Now member groups.
May 27, 2020
GreeningUSA signed on to a letter from Green 100% Energy 2030 to reinstate the Plastic Bag Ban, which has been put on hold due to the pandemic.
May 15, 2020
GreeningUSA signed on to a petition, at the request of AGREE, in opposition to the multiple intervenors petition seeking to defund enerfy efficiency and renewable energy.
May 1, 2020
GreeningUSA held the 16th Annual Meeting titled, “The Big VIRTUAL Tent: Advocacy in Challenging Times“, a discussion with like-minded groups about their mission and activities, carrying on advocacy efforts and working together during a pandemic. GreeningUSA’s “Sustaining our Communities” Awards were presented, in addition to a report to members about the activities of the organization since the last annual meeting.
April 21, 2020
GreeningUSA signed on to the “Earth Day Open Letter” to the NYS Governor and Legislature asking them to support the “Restore Mother Nature Bond Act,” maintain funding for the “Environmental Protection Fund” and new funding for the “Clean Water Infrastructure Act.”
April 17, 2020
GreeningUSA submitted a comment to the NYS Department of Public Service in response to National Grid’s request to build-out additional natural gas infrastructure. GreeningUSA advocated for the “no infrastructure/non-fossil fuel option” based on our policy statement in Trait 7 of the 12 Traits of Sustainable Communities.
April 14, 2020
GreeningUSA signed on to a letter from the Green Education & Legal Fund asking the NYS Attorney General to sue the current administration over suspension of environmental laws.
February 29, 2020
GreeningUSA participated in the “Climate Day of Action“, a day of learning and getting involved in Climate Justice activism in our community with 5 other organizations! Held in conjunction with the ArtRage exhibition CARRYING THE WEIGHT: Fire & Ice, The Art of Zaria Forman and Stuart Palley.
February 14, 2020
GreeningUSA held a Green Bag Lunch titled, “Fire & Ice: A Climate Crisis Panel Discussion“. Panelists included Rachel May, NYS Senator; Mark Lowery, Assistant Director, Office of Climate Change, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; Dr. Cornelius “Neil” Murphy, Jr., Past-President, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry; and Chris Carrick, Energy Program Manager, CNY Regional Planning & Development Board, held in collaboration with ArtRage Gallery.