New York State to Hold Buffalo Public Hearing on Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria on June 23
What: Buffalo In-Person Public Hearing
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), will hold an in-person public hearing on June 23, 2022, to receive input on the Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria (leaves DEC website) and advance the finalization of the 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 with a 120-day public comment period that ends July 7, 2022. The State is holding a total of 11 public hearings with four in-person hearings and seven virtual hearings.
DEC and NYSERDA will also be holding a Western New York Virtual Public hearing on the criteria on June 30, at 12 p.m. More details can be found at the Climate Act website (leaves DEC website).
All New Yorkers are encouraged to provide input on the criteria that will help advance environmental justice and guide the climate programs and projects to reduce air pollution and climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions, provide economic development opportunities, and target clean energy and energy efficiency investments.
Pre-registration for this hearing is strongly encouraged but not required. Each participant will be given two minutes to provide public comment. 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 online form (leaves DEC website).
When: Thursday, June 23 at 6 p.m. ET
Where:
PUSH Buffalo
Lorna C. Hill Theater
Former School 77, Suite 1
429 Plymouth Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14213
Capacity of Venue: Up to 75 may attend this hearing.
Attendees are encouraged to pre-register (leaves DEC website).
Transportation:
- Please see the NFTA bus route schedule (leaves DEC website).
Vehicle Parking:
- There is free on-site parking and street parking is available.
Health and Safety:
- Masks are required when entering the building.
- Disposable face masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the event.
Information for All Hearing Attendees:
All persons, organizations, corporations, and government entities are encouraged to attend the public hearings and submit oral or written comments. 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.
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. All hearings will be professionally recorded and transcribed as part of the official record and posted on the Climate Act website (leaves DEC website).
Written comments can be submitted through July 7, 2022, via the online public comment form (leaves DEC website), via email to [email protected], or via U.S. Mail to Attention: Draft DAC Comments, NYS DEC, Attn. Office of Environmental Justice, 625 Broadway, 14th Floor, Albany NY 12233.
