Climate Change Newsletter

In This Issue:

• Upcoming Climate Justice Working Group Meeting
• Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report
• Three New Certified Climate Smart Communities

Climate Justice Working Group Meeting

DEC's 13-member Climate Justice Working Group, established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, March 24. The Climate Justice Working Group is tasked with establishing criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities for the purposes of co-pollutant reductions, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, regulatory impact statements, and the allocation of investments pursuant to the CLCPA.

Consistent with Executive Orders issued by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and in keeping with measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, the meeting will be conducted by teleconference. Members of the public are welcome to listen to the meeting via webcast.

When: Wednesday, March 24, 2 p.m. ET

Where: Virtual - Webex log in  

Audio: Dial 1-518-549-0500; Access code: 185 685 9384 #

This meeting will also be recorded and posted on the Climate Act website within three days, or as soon as practicable.

Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report

The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act directs DEC to issue an annual report on statewide greenhouse gas emissions, pursuant to Section 75-0105 of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL). DEC is preparing the first report to be issued in 2021 and is seeking public input on the format of the report, the organization of information to be included in the report, as well as the methodology and analysis used to determine annual statewide greenhouse gas emission levels.

You may provide written comments or feedback at any time. Mail it to: Suzanne Hagell, NYS DEC Office of Climate Change, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1550 or email it to climate.regs@dec.ny.gov. Include "Annual Report" in the subject line of the email.

DEC will also be holding three virtual public hearings. Additional information, including slides and supplemental documents, may be available online prior to each event. 

Public Hearing 1 - Outreach Webinar: Annual NYS GHG Emissions Report Overview
Date: March 22, 2021 3 p.m.

Description: DEC will provide an overview of the annual Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report, per the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The presentation will cover the proposed annual process, methodology and analysis. Time will be provided to answer questions and take public input on discussed material.

Webex log in   
Event number: 185 158 3844
Event password: Climate2021

Public Hearing 2 - Technical Conference: Oil and Gas Emissions Accounting
Date: March 26, 2021 10 a.m. -1 p.m.

Description: This technical conference will include presentations from Abt, Eastern Research Group, and the Environmental Defense Fund on methods and analysis for estimating in-state and out-of-state emissions from fossil fuel infrastructure. In-state emissions methodologies are also described in NYSERDA's 2018 New York State Oil and Gas Methane Emissions Inventory. Out-of-state fuel cycle emissions are a new addition to the NYS GHG Inventory and a requirement of the CLCPA. Time will be provided to answer questions and take public input on discussed material.

Webex log in  
Event number: 185 405 6334
Event password: Climate2021

Public Hearing 3 - Outreach Webinar: Net Emissions Accounting
Date: March 29, 2021 3 p.m.

Description: The CLCPA establishes a goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, achieved through a balance of GHG emission sources and sinks. As such, the annual Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report will include an assessment of net emissions. This presentation will provide background information on net accounting and highlight key considerations as well as areas for future improvement. Topics will include carbon sequestration, biogenic and anthropogenic emissions, and carbon neutrality in the context of governmental GHG inventory protocols. Time will be provided to answer questions and take public input on discussed material.

Webex log in  
Event number: 185 907 4946
Event password: Climate2021

DEC Announces Three New Certified Climate Smart Communities: Towns of New Lebanon and Philipstown, Village of Irvington

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos recently announced the latest round of communities to achieve certification as part of New York State's Climate Smart Communities program, which supports municipal efforts to meet the economic, social, and environmental challenges posed by climate change. By taking meaningful steps to mitigate and adapt to climate change, three local governments successfully met criteria to be recognized as leaders during the first quarter round of review. The three communities-the towns of New Lebanon and Philipstown and the village of Irvington-all achieved bronze-level certification:

Capital District - Town of New Lebanon
The town of New Lebanon, Columbia County, completed 22 actions to achieve bronze-level certification, including a natural resources inventory and a climate vulnerability assessment focused on seasonal drought. The New Lebanon Climate Smart Communities task force set up a "Free Store" at the Town Hall where residents can donate and receive clothing and other small items at no cost. The task force also created a local bicycle recycling program. Since June 2020, the program has refurbished 40 donated bikes and repaired 20 more for members of the community.

Mid-Hudson - Village of Irvington and Town of Philipstown
The village of Irvington completed 17 actions to achieve bronze-level certification, including a flood mitigation plan covering all local waterbodies and an energy audit of the historic village hall building. Irvington, as part of the Sustainable Westchester consortium, also implemented a community choice aggregation program in 2016 to reduce energy costs and prioritize purchase of renewable power for its residents.

The town of Philipstown, Putnam County, completed 16 actions to achieve certification, including a government operations greenhouse gas inventory and a community choice aggregation program. Philipstown also established an open space conservation overlay district that helps to conserve natural areas within the town.

All three of the newly awarded communities also participate in NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities program that assists local governments to implement clean energy actions, save energy costs, and improve the environment and the towns of New Lebanon and Philipstown are designated as Clean Energy Communities.

Read more information on DEC's website.