This Month’s Topics:

• A Global Perspective on Air Pollution
• Clean Transportation NY
• New Yorkers on the Go this Fall
• Comment Periods
• Upcoming Events
• AQI Alerts for Respiratory Health

Banner photo credit: George Brinkwart, “Huntington Harbor, Long Island, NY.”

Happy Birthday Air Mail!

Air Mail! is celebrating its 1st anniversary this month.  We hope you’ve enjoyed our past issues, and continue to enjoy many more yet to come.
The Air Mail! Team

A Global Perspective on Air Pollution

The World Health Organization (WHO) released results from its latest air pollution study which focused on black-carbon particulate matter (PM), also known as soot. Scientists obtained PM measurements for over 4,000 cities in 100 countries and displayed the data in the form of an air pollution meter and an interactive map.

Cities in New York State have significantly less pollution compared to the worst cities outside the United States. Our clean air is no accident. Decades of work by public and private sector individuals and organizations across the state have substantially reduced air pollution. While we are proud of the accomplishments, there’s more work to be done, especially in cities, where vehicles, airports and shipping traffic contribute to degraded air quality and visibility.

WHO’s study shows hopeful signs of improving air quality worldwide. Not only are participating cities working hard to clean the air, but more cities are joining the study which shows a growing global commitment to improve air quality.

Photo caption: New York City street corridor then, and now

Clean Transportation Plan Launched

New York State will utilize the $127.7 million received from the 2016 Volkswagen settlement to dramatically increase the number of electric vehicles and other clean vehicles in the state. Covered vehicles include new buses, trucks, locomotives, ferries, tug boats and cargo handling equipment, as well as the availability of electric vehicle charging equipment statewide. DEC, in concert with the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, New York Power Authority, state Department of Transportation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and others, developed Clean Transportation NY - New York's plan to strategically invest settlement resources for maximum benefit and to build on New York's national leadership on clean energy and climate change. The funds were secured through the Attorney General's settlement with Volkswagen in close collaboration with DEC. The state's strategically leveraged investment of settlement funds is anticipated to result in at least $300 million of clean vehicles and infrastructure on New York's roadways.

DEC welcomes further stakeholder input on the plan prior to submitting it to the federal trustee, and as the plan is implemented. More information on Clean Transportation NY and the VW settlement is available on the DEC website.

Webinar: Best Practices for Sustainable Manufacturing

The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) is a statewide research and technology transfer center funded by the Environmental Protection Fund as administered by DEC. NYSP2I is hosting a webinar on Thursday, September 27 at noon to discuss how local manufacturers identified over $1 million in savings by modifying production activities to reduce waste and environmental impacts. 

Participants will hear how companies have adopted sustainable manufacturing practices and technologies that will result in cost and environmental reductions, less regulatory burden, efficient utilization of resources and greater competitive positioning in the marketplace.

Sign up now!

Fall Season Outdoor Activities on the Go

New Yorkers of all stripes are on the go in the fall, beginning with small game hunting, hiking and apple picking. Of course, “on the go” frequently means using a vehicle to find and enjoy New York’s many natural resources, and have fun and learn with friends or family.  When you go to our wonderful places and events, we encourage you to use carpooling, public transit, electric or hybrid cars, or fuel-efficient vehicles of all types, to reduce your impact on air quality.
Vehicle emissions remain a significant source of pollution that affects not only people and pets but also lakes and streams through acid precipitation, and increased human contributions to greenhouse gases.

When you’re ready to embark on a New York outdoor adventure, download the Pocket Ranger app for your smart phone. The Pocket Ranger, developed in partnership with DEC, provides GPS coordinates and up-to-date information for fishing, hunting, camping and wildlife watching sites. Knowing right where you want to go saves time and gasoline, limiting the negative impact on your life and air quality. The app is available for iPhones and Androids in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or on the Pocket Ranger® website.

Comment Periods:

• Clean Transportation NY Plan using the Volkswagen Settlement funding. Comments and suggestions can be submitted to VWsettlement@dec.ny.gov. Please include your name and contact information.
• Draft 2018 Tentatively Approved Specifications for Agency Sustainability and Green Procurement available for public review until October 1, 2018.
• Various Projects on the Environmental Notice Bulletin.

Upcoming Events:

• September 24-30: Climate Week – Taking simple steps in your everyday life to bring down your carbon footprint can go a long way towards helping our climate.
• September 22: First Day of Autumn - Did you know that over a 40-year period, one tree will remove 600 pounds of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, from the air?
• October 4: World Animal Day – Take a moment to appreciate the variety and the abundance of wildlife that New York State has to offer. Visit the DEC website to learn how and where to view wildlife.

Stay Informed about Your Air Quality

New York's ozone season runs from April through September. DEC publishes ground-level ozone forecasts during ozone season, and particulate matter pollution forecasts year-round using a scale called the Air Quality Index (AQI). DEC sends out an Air Quality Alert when there is a high AQI value, which indicates polluted air. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, and people who exercise outdoors, should take caution during an Air Quality Alert. Find out if an Air Quality Alert is in effect by calling the toll-free Ozone Hotline: 1-800-535-1345.

The AQI can be accessed in three ways:

• Check the daily ozone and particulate matter pollution forecast.
• Sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts for New York State via e-mail.
• Sign up to receive AQI Alerts from EnviroFlash via e-mail for where you live (outside NYS), and download the Air Now App.

We would like to know what you think. Please send your Air Mail! questions or comments to us at DAR.web@dec.ny.gov.