| The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), will hold public hearings on May 25 and May 26, 2022, to receive public input on the Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria 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 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.
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.
Dates and times of hearings this week are as follows:
NYC Virtual Public Hearings
When: Wednesday, May 25 at 12 p.m. ET Event Address: via Webex
Call In Number: 1-518-549-0500
Event Password: DACHearing-2022 via computer (enter 32243275 from phones) Event Number: 2335 967 4423
Accommodations: Closed captioning and Spanish interpretation are available
Mid-Hudson Valley Hearing
When: Thursday, May 26 at 6 p.m. ET Where:
Beulah Baptist Church
99 Catharine Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Capacity of Venue: Up to 85 may attend this hearing.
Attendees are encouraged to pre-register for this hearing.
Transportation:
Vehicle Parking:
- Park in the parking lot for general attendees.
- Parking for people with disabilities is located closer to the entrance.
Health and Safety:
- All attendees must wear masks per the venue.
- Disposable face masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the event
For future hearings, please visit the DAC website.
All individuals, organizations, corporations, and government entities wishing to submit comments 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.
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. |
