New York State Public Hearing on Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria -- New York City #2 (in-person)

Criteria to Guide Equitable Implementation of State’s Ambitious Climate Law
 
May and June In-Person and Virtual Hearings to Provide Public Opportunities to Share Input on Draft Criteria
 
Comments Accepted Until July 7, 2022
 
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), will hold 11 public hearings across the state to receive public input on draft disadvantaged communities criteria and advance the finalization of criteria to help guide the implementation of the State's nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
 
New York’s Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG), which consists of representatives from environmental justice groups from across the State and representatives of several State agencies, voted in December to release the draft criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities for public review. The Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria Public Comment Period commenced in March with a 120-day public comment period that ends July 7, 2022.
 
The criteria are based on geographic, public health, environmental hazard, and socioeconomic factors, and once approved, will be used to help meet the directives of the Climate Act related to reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to inform regulatory impact statements and the State's clean energy and energy efficiency investments. 
 
Public Hearing  
 

Event: New York City #2  

Location: DEC Region 2 Office

47-40 21st Street, 8th Floor

Long Island City, New York 11101

Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 6 p.m.  

Please check the DEC calendar of events to confirm if the Public Hearing in your area of the state is in-person or online/virtual.
 
All persons, organizations, corporations, and government entities are encouraged to attend the public hearings and submit oral or written comments. Each participant will be given two minutes to provide public comment. Lengthy statements should be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. PowerPoint presentations are not allowed, but individuals may provide written supporting documents or visuals. 
 
If in-person hearings cannot be held due to changing COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, hearings will shift to virtual at the same date and time. Pre-registration for virtual hearings is strongly encouraged but not required. 
 
Priority in speaking will be given to those who pre-register based on their place of residence for the regional hearings. Individuals can pre-register using the WebEx link for the meeting. All hearings will be professionally recorded and transcribed as part of the official record and posted on the Climate Act website.
 
Members of the public who want to provide oral comments must attend either in-person or join a virtual hearing. Equal weight will be given to oral and written statements.
 
The virtual public hearings will include live closed captioning. American sign language and language interpretive services shall be made available upon written request at no charge. Requests for interpretation must be received at least 10 days before the hearing date. Requests for interpretation should be directed by mail to NYSDEC, Office of Communication Services, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-4500), by telephone (518-402-8044), or by email (language@dec.ny.gov). 
 
Written comments can be submitted through July 7, 2022, via the online public comment form, Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria Public Comment Period , via email to DACComments@dec.ny.gov, or via U.S. Mail to Attention: Draft DAC Comments, NYS DEC, Attn. Office of Environmental Justice, 625 Broadway, 14th Floor, Albany NY 12233.
 
For more information about the Climate Justice Working Group, visit the Climate Act website.
New York State's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy as New York State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enshrined into law through the Climate Act, New York is on a path to achieve its mandate of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy-wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York's unprecedented investments to ramp-up clean energy including over $33 billion in 102 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.6 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. Combined, these investments are supporting nearly 158,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2020, a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011 and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Under the Climate Act, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities, and advance progress towards the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings. 
 

Experience the woods at night under the light of the full Strawberry Moon.

We welcome those who have any type of physical challenge to all our programs. If you call ahead to let us know your needs, we will be happy to learn how we can serve you.

PLEASE NOTE

• Registration is required for ALL programs unless otherwise indicated; call 716-683-5959 to register. 
• If you call outside of normal business hours, you will receive a call confirming your registration or waitlist status. PLEASE SPEAK CLEARLY when leaving your name and phone number as our system does not have caller ID. Unless you receive a callback, you are not registered. 
• Registration is limited to two programs/month. If you want to sign up for additional programs, you will be added to the waitlist. No limit for virtual programs.
• Social distancing and mask protocols are subject to change with current COVID guidelines.
• If you or a family member feels ill, is waiting for COVID test results or have COVID symptoms, please stay at home.
• In case of poor weather, programs may be cancelled.
  
• We cannot accommodate organized youth/civic groups at these programs. Please call to make other arrangements.

DEC will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday June 15th, 2022, from 11:00am – 12:30pm (register here) to provide an overview of available funding opportunities for organics management and recycling projects.

• Municipal Funding for Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives
• Climate Smart Communities Grant Program
• Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling (MWRR) State Assistance Program

This webinar will be recorded and posted to the DEC website. 

Municipal Funding for Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives

The goal of this funding program is to assist municipalities in starting or expanding municipal food scraps recycling programs including:

• Creating or expanding programs to increase residential food scraps recycling
• Creating or expanding food scraps recycling programs and facilities 

To ensure equitable access and development of food scraps recycling opportunities for all New Yorkers, this year's opportunity will prioritize the first half of available funds for eligible projects serving Environmental Justice and Disadvantaged communities. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until May 3, 2024. Projects will be funded on a first come, first served basis. Learn more about Municipal Funding for Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives.

Climate Smart Communities Grant Program
The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program provides 50/50 matching grants to cities, towns, villages, and counties of New York State for eligible climate adaption and mitigation projects. Reduction of organic waste is a project type for this year's CSC grant program. These types of projects include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Implementation, expansion, or piloting of education and outreach programs to prevent wasted food and reduce the volume of surplus food in the community
• Increasing edible food donated to those in need
• Implementation, expansion, or piloting of a food-waste pick up service for residents, businesses, institutions, or municipal facilities to be repurposed as animal feed or compost at an organics recycling facility.
• Construction of new (or the expansion of existing) facilities to process food scraps via anaerobic digesters
Applications due by July 29, 2022, at 4:00pm. Learn more about Climate Smart Communities Grant Program.

Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling (MWRR) State Assistance Project
The MWRR program is a state assistance program for waste reduction, recycling and household hazardous waste (HHW). Funding is provided on a 50% reimbursement rate for eligible costs. Organics management projects are eligible under this state assistance program.

• Grants for Recycling Coordination and Education Projects: Awarded on an annual basis. Applications accepted August, September, and October of each year.
• Grants for Waste Reduction and Recycling Capital Projects (equipment and facilities): Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

New York State Public Hearing on Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria -- Central New York/Mohawk Valley (online/virtual)

Criteria to Guide Equitable Implementation of State’s Ambitious Climate Law
 
May and June In-Person and Virtual Hearings to Provide Public Opportunities to Share Input on Draft Criteria
 
Comments Accepted Until July 7, 2022
 
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), will hold 11 public hearings across the state to receive public input on draft disadvantaged communities criteria and advance the finalization of criteria to help guide the implementation of the State's nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
 
New York’s Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG), which consists of representatives from environmental justice groups from across the State and representatives of several State agencies, voted in December to release the draft criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities for public review. The Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria Public Comment Period commenced in March with a 120-day public comment period that ends July 7, 2022.
 
The criteria are based on geographic, public health, environmental hazard, and socioeconomic factors, and once approved, will be used to help meet the directives of the Climate Act related to reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to inform regulatory impact statements and the State's clean energy and energy efficiency investments. 
 
Public Hearing  
 

Event: Central New York/Mohawk Valley 

Location: Webex

Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at 6 p.m. 

Call In Number: 518-549-0500
Event Password: DAC-Hearing2022
Event Number: 2346 475 5880
 

Please check the DEC calendar of events to confirm if the Public Hearing in your area of the state is in-person or online/virtual.
 
All persons, organizations, corporations, and government entities are encouraged to attend the public hearings and submit oral or written comments. Each participant will be given two minutes to provide public comment. Lengthy statements should be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. PowerPoint presentations are not allowed, but individuals may provide written supporting documents or visuals. 
 
If in-person hearings cannot be held due to changing COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, hearings will shift to virtual at the same date and time. Pre-registration for virtual hearings is strongly encouraged but not required. 
 
Priority in speaking will be given to those who pre-register based on their place of residence for the regional hearings. Individuals can pre-register using the WebEx link for the meeting. All hearings will be professionally recorded and transcribed as part of the official record and posted on the Climate Act website.
 
Members of the public who want to provide oral comments must attend either in-person or join a virtual hearing. Equal weight will be given to oral and written statements.
 
The virtual public hearings will include live closed captioning. American sign language and language interpretive services shall be made available upon written request at no charge. Requests for interpretation must be received at least 10 days before the hearing date. Requests for interpretation should be directed by mail to NYSDEC, Office of Communication Services, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-4500), by telephone (518-402-8044), or by email (language@dec.ny.gov). 
 
Written comments can be submitted through July 7, 2022, via the online public comment form, Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria Public Comment Period , via email to DACComments@dec.ny.gov, or via U.S. Mail to Attention: Draft DAC Comments, NYS DEC, Attn. Office of Environmental Justice, 625 Broadway, 14th Floor, Albany NY 12233.
 
For more information about the Climate Justice Working Group, visit the Climate Act website.
New York State's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy as New York State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enshrined into law through the Climate Act, New York is on a path to achieve its mandate of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy-wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York's unprecedented investments to ramp-up clean energy including over $33 billion in 102 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.6 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. Combined, these investments are supporting nearly 158,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2020, a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011 and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Under the Climate Act, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities, and advance progress towards the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings. 
 

Tired of high fuel prices? Find out how to move toward a fossil fuel-free lifestyle! Each session provides local resources to help you make improvements, and maybe even save money along the way.

We welcome those who have any type of physical challenge to all our programs. If you call ahead (716-683-5959) to let us know your needs, we will be happy to learn how we can serve you.

PLEASE NOTE

• Pre-registration is required for ALL programs. For virtual programs, please register online at www.reinsteinwoods.org/events.
• Participants will be emailed a link for the presentation.
  
• We cannot accommodate organized youth/civic groups at these programs. Please call to make other arrangements.
  

For more than 15 years, data collected at Five Rivers has been contributed to this continent-wide citizen science project conducted through the University of Minnesota. Join volunteers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in conserving monarchs and advancing the understanding of butterfly ecology and migration in general. Wear long pants and bring a sun hat and water. We will meet at the visitor center. 

Go to www.mlmp.org to learn about the project. Space is limited.

Call 518-475-0291 by the Saturday prior to register.

Learn how to fish for free with DEC from 1-3pm on the NW shore of the Harlem Meer in Central Park. This free fishing clinic event, sponsored by DEC, offers participants the opportunity to practice basic fishing skills and learn about fish identification, fishing equipment and techniques, fisheries management, angling ethics, aquatic ecology and more! Rods and reels will be available to borrow, and fishing bait will be provided. All ages are welcome to attend.

No freshwater fishing license or enrollment in the recreational marine fishing registry is required for participants during the event; however, all other statewide fishing regulations remain in effect.

Address/Directions: 
Central Park - Harlem Meer, 111 Central Park N., New York, NY 10026 (northwest shore)

Visit the Free Fishing Clinics page for additional information on this and other upcoming clinics.

Join us after school to get some fresh air, stretch your legs, and have fun outdoors. We’ll meet in front of the visitor center to head out on an adventure. Each week will have a different theme and will include time to explore. Come for as many sessions as you’d like, and dress for outdoor activity. For children in grades K–5 and their caregivers.

Space is limited. Call 518-475-0291 by the Monday prior to register.

DEC invites the public to comment about a proposal to address contamination related to the 71 Tonawanda Street site #C915024 (Buffalo, Erie County) within New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program. Public comments about the proposal will be accepted through June 17, 2022.

Click the web link above at "Additional Information" to learn about the proposal and how to comment.

Project documents can be reviewed online at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/data/DecDocs/C915024/

And at:

Riverside Branch Library
820 Tonawanda Street
Buffalo, NY 14207
(716) 875-0562

DEC invites the public to comment about a proposal to address contamination related to the Jean’s Place site #C224275 (Brooklyn, Kings County) within New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program. Public comments about the proposal will be accepted through June 17, 2022.

Click the web link above at "Additional Information" to learn about the proposal and how to comment.

Project documents can be reviewed online at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/data/DecDocs/C224275/

And at:

Brooklyn Public Library – Stone Avenue Branch
581 Mother Gaston Boulevard
Brooklyn, NY 11212
718-485-8347

Brooklyn Community Board 5
Melinda Perkins, District Manager
127 Pennsylvania Avenue, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, N Y 11207
929-221-8261
mperkins@cb.nyc.gov

Join the latest—and oldest—in health trends. This walk will focus on the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest to induce relaxation and ease stress. 

We welcome those who have any type of physical challenge to all our programs. If you call ahead to let us know your needs, we will be happy to learn how we can serve you.

PLEASE NOTE

• Registration is required for ALL programs unless otherwise indicated; call 716-683-5959 to register. 
• If you call outside of normal business hours, you will receive a call confirming your registration or waitlist status. PLEASE SPEAK CLEARLY when leaving your name and phone number as our system does not have caller ID. Unless you receive a callback, you are not registered. 
• Registration is limited to two programs/month. If you want to sign up for additional programs, you will be added to the waitlist. No limit for virtual programs.
• Social distancing and mask protocols are subject to change with current COVID guidelines.
• If you or a family member feels ill, is waiting for COVID test results or have COVID symptoms, please stay at home.
• In case of poor weather, programs may be cancelled.
  
• We cannot accommodate organized youth/civic groups at these programs. Please call to make other arrangements.

What in the world is the summer solstice? Join a guided walk to learn about the longest day of the year. No registration required.

We welcome those who have any type of physical challenge to all our programs. If you call ahead to let us know your needs, we will be happy to learn how we can serve you.

PLEASE NOTE

• Registration is required for ALL programs unless otherwise indicated; call 716-683-5959 to register. 
• If you call outside of normal business hours, you will receive a call confirming your registration or waitlist status. PLEASE SPEAK CLEARLY when leaving your name and phone number as our system does not have caller ID. Unless you receive a callback, you are not registered. 
• Registration is limited to two programs/month. If you want to sign up for additional programs, you will be added to the waitlist. No limit for virtual programs.
• Social distancing and mask protocols are subject to change with current COVID guidelines.
• If you or a family member feels ill, is waiting for COVID test results or have COVID symptoms, please stay at home.
• In case of poor weather, programs may be cancelled.
  
• We cannot accommodate organized youth/civic groups at these programs. Please call to make other arrangements.

Summer is around the corner, and the fields, forests and ponds at Five Rivers have come to life. We'll explore the Beaver Tree trail and look for signs that summer is on its way. Half-mile round trip. Space is limited.

 Call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, June 15 to register.