Upcoming Events: Save Your Spot!
Relax with Mindfulness and Movement
Wednesday July 15, 11:30 am (Eastern)
All are invited to this free, 45-minute guided session with Jonathan Relucio, an expert with over 20 years of experience. Join us to relax and restore each month, and please invite others! Can’t join? Registrants can access past session recordings here – contact alana@freshwaterfuture.org for the password. Register here!
Basics of Nonprofit Financial Tracking
Tuesday, June 30, 12:00 pm (Eastern)
Join us to learn the basics of managing your nonprofit’s finances on Tuesday, June 30th, at Noon ET. This online session will review terminology and tips to help you track your income and expenses. Register for this practical and informative session today! Please note that we are no longer recording online events due to security concerns.
Canadian Community Stands Up for Aggregate Mining Policy Reform Despite Provincial Threat
Caledon, Ontario, is a hotbed for gravel extraction. Residents’ concerns about the environmental and health impacts led the Town to enact a temporary moratorium on new projects in 2022. Last month, however, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing demanded retraction of the new protective policies prior to reviewing them and vaguely threatened the Town with “further action.” Local leaders refuse to abandon plans at this point in time, prioritizing public feedback and expert opinions, but have yet to respond to the province. Freshwater Future will keep you updated on this story and ways residents can take action to protect water from resource extraction.
New York Adopts Bills to Support Safe Drinking Water and Address Data Centers
In New York, lawmakers passed a new state budget that boosts investment to ensure safe drinking water. Funding for community water infrastructure increased by $25 million for a total of $525 million available next year, and for the first time, some of those funds will be dedicated to lead pipe replacements for safer, cleaner water.
Legislators adopted another bill that would pause new data centers for one year, giving communities time to enact local environmental and residential protections. The Governor, however, has not shared her position on this moratorium and has yet to sign the bill. Freshwater Future will continue to support statewide data center moratoriums and keep you updated on this issue.
New – Michigan Residents: Stand Up for Wetland Protections
Wetlands are critical as the first line of defense against flooding, for filtering and cleaning water, and for providing sustenance and recreational opportunities.
As the federal government aggressively rolls back wetland protections, it’s critical to take a stand against similar actions in the states. Multiple bills that threaten wetland protection are currently under consideration in the Michigan legislature. Send a quick message to your state legislators today and ask them to OPPOSE these bills!
Pennsylvania Residents: Urge your State Representatives to Support Public and Affordable Water
When water systems are privatized, customers’ water bills significantly increase while the shareholders of these for-profit water systems make huge profits. The passage of Act 12 a decade ago triggered increases in water system privatization across Pennsylvania, leaving impacted residents and communities to fight for affordable water rates, policy fixes ,and local oversight.
Use your voice today to support public water for all residents by urging your state legislators to pass the Public Water Protection and Fair Utility Transition Act. This law would not only repeal Act 12, but it would also pause all new water system takeovers for a year. It is an important first step to slow down the private takeover of public water utilities. Ensure this bill gets a vote and passes this year – send a quick message today with this form!
Michigan Residents: Judge Recommends Against Consumer’s Energy Dam Sale; Public Comment Period Remains Open
Consumer’s Energy, a major energy utility in Michigan, wants to sell all 13 of its unprofitable in-state hydropower dams for just $13. This week, a Michigan state judge officially recommended against the sale, because it would not be in the public interest. Communities around these dams, ratepayers, and Michigan taxpayers will ultimately be on the hook for increased rates and any damage resulting from failure of these aging, costly dams.
All Michiganders have the opportunity to use their voice right now and ask the state regulator to oppose this sale. Freshwater Future has prepared instructions and talking points to help residents submit comments directly to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Submit your comment as soon as possible; no deadline has been set and the docket is expected to close soon. A final decision is expected in September.
