Headlines for Monday, November 28, 2022

Governor Hochul has signed a law that instates a two year pause on planned fossil fuel related crypto-mining operations, and mandates a study by the DEC on the practices’ impact on the environment. The ruling will affect crypto-mining across the state, including the controversial Greenidge Generation facility on Seneca Lake. According to NBC News, the facility has fallen under increased scrutiny and regulation over the last several months, particularly after the DEC reported that greenhouse gas emissions increased substantially between 2016 and 2019.   

The moratorium is the first of its kind in the nation. According to the Ithaca Times, Hochul was apprehensive to sign the climate-friendly bill prior to Election Day, but her victory and pressure from progressive Democrats in the State Assembly forced a decision. 125th district Assemblymember Ann Kelles wrote and sponsored the bill.

According to the Ithaca Voice, the latest election results indicate that support for the Working Families Party in Tompkins County has increased at an unprecedented rate. Of the nearly 34,000 votes cast in the county, 13 percent of the votes for Governor Hochul came from the Working Families line. That’s the highest rate of votes on the line out of any county in the state. According to Spectrum News, the party got around 250,000 votes statewide, easily meeting the state’s new higher threshold to retain ballot access. Political parties must now achieve 130,000 votes to maintain their ballot lines, up from 50,000 last election. As Working Families grows in popularity, some leaders have expressed interest in having the party put forward its own candidates.

Ithaca Common Council is seeking to fill the body’s fifth ward seat which will be vacated on December 8 when Acting Mayor Laura Lewis becomes mayor. Interested residents of the fifth ward can submit a resume and letter of interest to the City Clerk at 108 East Green St in Ithaca.

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