Albany, New York (PRWEB) August 05, 2015
In reaction to a pending NYS permit that would allow a Texas-based corporation, Crestwood Midstream, to store liquid propane gas (LPG) next to Seneca Lake*, the full Executive Committee of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the powerful healthcare workers union, unanimously passed a resolution that strongly opposes that permit. *, **
“1199SEIU healthcare workers have always been committed to defending clean drinking water, advocating for the health of our communities, and stopping climate change. Now, we are calling on our public officials to do the right thing by prohibiting a Texas-based corporation from polluting Seneca Lake,” said 1199 Vice President Todd Hobler. The resolution:
- Opposes the storage of liquid propane gas (LPG) along the shores of Seneca Lake and in unstable salt caverns with a history of collapse, because of the danger it presents to thousands of 1199SEIU members, families and communities who depend on drinking water from this or other Finger Lakes in the region;
- Opposes any efforts to expand dependence on fossil fuels that would exacerbate the crisis of climate change and endanger the health and safety of our communities. Instead, we should be supporting technological innovation and green jobs in clean, healthy, renewable energy like solar and wind.
The union is joining twenty-eight local legislative bodies in creating and signing a resolution in opposition to the Crestwood Midstream project. While the decision on whether or not to permit the hazardous gas storage plan is being considered and a final decision is expected shortly, 1199SEIU is escalating an assertive campaign that includes email blasts to thousands of 1199SEIU members and their allies, with a petition to the Department of Environmental Conservation. A targeted social media campaign has been launched.
The resolution notes that the transport and storage of LPG along the shores of Seneca Lake, and the potential for accidents, threatens not only the natural beauty of the area, but also the drinking water for tens of thousands of people. “The risk to the environment is too great to allow this project to go forward,” said 1199SEIU Vice President Todd Hobler. “1199 is proud to support the efforts of hundreds of committed activists across the region who have had the courage to stand up to Crestwood and protest its pursuit of profit at the expense of the health of our communities.”
*NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, DEC Extends Deadline to File Petitions for Party Status for Issues Conference on Crestwood LPG Storage Facility in Schuyler County, November 19, 2014, http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/99599.html
** NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Finger Lakes LPG Storage, LLC, Underground Storage Facility - October 2014, http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/71619.html
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
