Capacity Building Grants, TCI, and Air Resources Announcements 

WE ACT Chosen As Capacity Building Grant Administrator 

DEC has chosen West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc., (WE ACT) as the administrator for New York's Environmental Justice Capacity Building Grant Program and awarded $1 million to support and grow environmental justice organizations across the state. In cooperation with DEC, WE ACT will use its expertise to help community-based groups develop administrative, technical, and programmatic capacity and expand their services protecting public health and the environment.

To help implement its responsibilities under DEC's Capacity Building Grant program, WE ACT will receive $1 million, funded through the state's Environmental Protection Fund, to advance Governor Cuomo's commitment to supporting the work of environmental justice organizations. WE ACT will distribute $900,000 through streamlined capacity building grants to organizations working to engage residents on environmental concerns that:

• Impact public health and the environment
• Create community-led scientific research and plans
• Address and prepares for climate change impacts
• Improve environmental conditions in their neighborhoods

For more information on WE ACT and its programs, visit its website.

For more information on DEC's Office of Environmental Justice and our grants programs, visit our website. 

Transportation and Climate Initiative Stakeholder Meetings

The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) Regional Policy Design Stakeholder forum is seeking input from the public regarding New York’s potential participation in this program. TCI is a regional collaboration of 12 Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, and the District of Columbia that seeks to improve transportation, develop a clean energy economy and reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector.

The State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Transportation (DOT) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) are conducting public outreach to inform New York’s participation in this multi-state initiative. The State is seeking input from the public regarding New York’s potential participation in a regional program designed to reduce emissions, boost the economy, improve public health, and achieve fair and equitable outcomes for underserved communities and transportation-related businesses.

Public meetings are scheduled for the following:

October 23 - 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Suffolk County Water Authority
260 Motor Parkway
Hauppauge, NY 11788

October 24  - 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
New York State Department of Public Service
90 Church Street, 4th Floor Hearing Room
New York, New York

October 28 - 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
School 77
429 Plymouth Avenue, Suite 1
Buffalo, New York

November 7 - 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
The Space at GreenStar
700 W Buffalo Street
Ithaca, New York

You can submit written comments through the ITC portal.

Public & Stakeholder Participation Information

•  Part 200 General Provisions - Proposed revisions will incorporate by reference EPA's Outer Continental Shelf Air Regulations, 40 CFR Part 55. DEC will hold a conference call on October 28, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. EDT, to discuss the possible revisions.
  
  
•  Part 218-7, Aftermarket Parts - Proposed revisions include aftermarket catalytic converter (AMCC) standards incorporated in the low emission vehicle (LEV) program; and to update various provisions incorporated by reference in Part 200. DEC will hold a hearing on the proposed rule in Albany on November 8, 2019. DEC will accept comments through November 13, 2019.
  
  
• Subpart 227-1, Stationary Combustion Installations - Proposed revisions include lowering particulate matter emission limits for existing and new stationary combustion installations, correct minor typographical errors, and update the regulation to incorporate changes to the air permitting regulations. A hearing on the proposed rule will be held in Albany on November 8, 2019. DEC will accept comments through November 13, 2019.
  
  
• Subpart 225-2, Fuel Composition and Use - Waste Oils - Proposed revisions will establish applicability criteria, composition limits, and permitting requirements for waste oils; establish monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for facilities that are determined eligible to burn waste oil; and allow for the burning of waste oils in space heaters at automotive maintenance/service facilities. A hearing on the proposed rule will be held in Albany on November 8, 2019. DEC will accept comments through November 13, 2019.
• Part 222, Distributed Generation Sources - The proposal will adopt a new 6 NYCRR Part 222, "Distributed Generation Sources" to replace the rule adopted on November 1, 2016. The new rule would apply to demand response and price-responsive generation sources located in the NYC metropolitan area as defined at 6 NYCRR Part 200.1(au). DEC will accept comments through November 25, 2019.
• Part 219, Incinerators - The proposal will repeal and replace 6 NYCRR Subpart 219-4 and sunset Subparts 219-5 and 219-6. The new Subpart 219-4 would apply to all human and animal crematories operating throughout the state. DEC is also proposing to add a new Subpart 219-10 to limit oxides of nitrogen emissions from municipal waste combustion units. Following adoption, Part 219 will be submitted to EPA as a revision to the State Implementation Plan for New York State. DEC will accept comments through December 11, 2019.
  
  
• Various projects in the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB).

Additional information and access to past announcements are on the Division of Air Resources (DAR) Public & Stakeholder Participation Information page.

For more stakeholder information about air quality topics, subscribe to Air Mail!

Air Quality Alerts

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
• Find an Air Quality Monitor near you
• Sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts for NYS via e-mail

VW Settlement Update

On September 24, 2019, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that more than $20 million is available for a diesel truck replacement program. The program will help improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, and promote investment in cleaner fuel technologies. A combination of more than $9 million from the State's $127.7 million portion of the federal Volkswagen settlement and the NYS Department of Transportation's allocation of approximately $11 million in federal funds will provide new funding for the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program to permanently remove older, polluting diesel trucks from NY's roadways and replace them with new, cleaner trucks, including all-electric trucks.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other fossil fuel emissions contribute to smog formation, which is known to have negative impacts on human and environmental health. DEC will continue to welcome public comments on the plan as it moves forward. More information on Clean Transportation NY, including program updates, are available on our website.