For Release: Wednesday, March 11, 2009
DEC Issues Greenhouse Gas Policy
Project Reviews to Include Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Promotes Energy Efficiency
Greenhouse gas emissions may be included in the state's environmental review of large-scale projects under a new initiative announced today by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis, taking another step in the fight against climate change.
The proposed policy, published in draft form in today's Environmental Notice Bulletin, provides guidance designed to help DEC staff consider greenhouse gas emissions and energy use when conducting environmental reviews of new projects.
"This initiative builds on Governor Paterson's commitment to addressing the most important environmental issue of our time - climate change," Commissioner Grannis said. "The policy is part of New York State's effort to integrate concerns about climate change into our decision-making. It will help guide DEC staff when reviewing large-scale projects, ensuring that the environmental impacts of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are considered."
Environmental reviews are conducted under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR). It requires that the "lead agency" designated to review a project identify and assess actions for their potential adverse environmental impacts, and in certain cases, develop an environmental impact statement (EIS) and propose mitigation strategies.
"When DEC is the lead agency and greenhouse gas emissions have been identified as significant, these instructions will enable staff to make sure the EIS properly addresses climate change," said Anne Reynolds, Director of the DEC Commissioner's Policy Office. "We want to raise awareness of all the actions that can be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - from energy-efficient lighting to access to public transit to alternative fuels."
The DEC anticipates that this guidance will apply to large-scale developments that use significant amounts of energy. The guidance includes a menu of design measures that can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, such as energy-efficient construction, integration of renewable energy technologies, promotion of alternative transportation modes, and waste reduction.
The proposed policy is available at www.dec.ny.gov/permits/52508.html or www.dec.ny.gov/enb/20090311_not0.html . There will be a 30-day public comment period ending on April 10, 2009. Written comments should be sent to John Marscholik, NYS DEC, Office of Climate Change, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY, 12233. Comments can also be sent via e-mail to: climatechange@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
In a separate but related effort, DEC has started the process of redesigning the environmental assessment form (EAF), a tool used in SEQR reviews. The update of this form, which requires a regulatory change, will include the addition of questions related to energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, among other issues.
