This Month's Topics:

• Public & Stakeholder Participation Information
• Sparking Change Through Electric Power
• Celebrating Clean Air with AQAW
• Dates to Remember
• AQI Alerts for Respiratory Health
• Connect with Us at Air Mail!

Public & Stakeholder Participation Information:

• Policy Rescission, CP-33: Assessing and Mitigating Impacts of Fine Particulate Matter Emissions - Comments on the policy rescission may be submitted until 5 p.m. on April 29, 2022.
• Durez Confirmatory Performance Test plan - Public comments on the Durez CfPT plan may be submitted until 5 p.m. on June 7, 2022.
• Draft Disadvantaged Communities List and Criteria - Public comments are being accepted on the draft documents and will include six public hearings. The draft criteria, lists, map, and supporting documentation are available on the NYS Climate Act website. Comments on the draft are due by July 7, 2022.
• DEC Climate Justice Working Group Meeting - The group is tasked with establishing criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities for co-pollutant reductions, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, regulatory impact statements, and the allocation of investments under CLCPA. Members of the public are welcome to listen to the meeting via webcast on Wednesday, April 20 at 2 p.m.
• Various NYS projects in the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB).

Air Mail! is the publication to announce public and stakeholder information about air quality topics. All NYS residents are environmental stakeholders – we welcome anyone to join the information sessions and other opportunities posted here.

Sparking Change Through Electric Power

According to the Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report, 28 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in NYS come from transportation. Large diesel-powered vehicles, like buses and trucks, account for a significant portion of those emissions. Breathing in exhaust fumes is harmful to human health, especially for children whose lungs are not yet fully developed. Low income and communities of color are often negatively impacted by vehicle emissions. To reduce the amount of vehicle exhaust in the air, NYS is incentivizing the transition to zero emission transportation, including the purchase of zero emission electric school buses statewide.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has made available $6 million in this first round of incentives for zero and low emission school buses through the NYS Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP). Since the initial purchase price of an electric school bus is higher than a similar diesel-powered bus, these incentives will help cover the difference. This will help make electric buses more affordable and easier to purchase. By 2035, all school buses in NYS will be electric, benefitting our health, the economy, and the air. NYTVIP also provides incentives for purchasing new, all electric medium and heavy-duty trucks, transit buses, and cargo handling equipment.

NYS was allocated approximately $128 million in Volkswagen Clean Air Act Civil Settlement funds to use as incentives for diesel emission reduction projects and to help expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure around the state. These incentives will help increase the number of zero emission vehicles, reduce the impact of climate change, and improve air quality in communities impacted by vehicle emissions. To reduce your air pollution footprint, maintain your vehicle, take public transportation, and walk or bike whenever possible to get where you need to go. Check out more tips on how to keep air clean on our website.

Photo Caption: Transitioning to electric school buses is essential to clean our air and keep everyone healthy. By 2035, all school buses in NYS will be electric, similar to the one shown above.

Photo Credit: Lion Electric

Celebrating Clean Air with Air Quality Awareness Week: May 2 – May 6

With the warmer weather finally upon us, many are seeking to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air that the season has to offer. Spring is the perfect time to celebrate clean air, with air-friendly events like Earth Day (April 22), Arbor Day (April 29), and Air Quality Awareness Week (May 2 to May 6). The theme for this year’s AQAW event is “Be Air Aware & Prepared.” While we celebrate, now is the time to learn more about the importance of our air and to become an advocate for air quality. Even taking small steps to reduce your contributions to air pollution can have positive effects on the air we breathe.

Be sure to check DEC’s website and social media feeds (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) for tips and information on how you can help protect our air and environment. You can also test your Air Quality IQ by visiting EPA’s AirNow social media feeds (Twitter and Facebook) throughout the week to play their air quality trivia game, AQIQ. So, get outside and enjoy some fresh air. Before you go, check the Air Quality Index to be Air Aware & Prepared!

Photo Credit: Blaise Agnew, Mirror Lake, North Elba NY.

Helpful Links:

• DECinfo Locator – An interactive map that lets you access DEC documents and public data about the environmental quality of specific sites in NYS as well as outdoor recreation information.
• DEC Delivers – Stay in-the-know by subscribing to the environmental topics that interest you. We will send you information, updates, and e-newsletters on the topics of your choosing. As an Air Mail! subscriber, you may be interested in subscribing to the Air Quality Alert topic so you know when air quality levels are a concern in your area.
• AQI Forecasts – Check the daily ozone and particulate matter pollution forecast for your area of NYS.
• NYSDEC YouTube – Keep up with what's going on with DEC staff by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Watch video clips of DEC public protection in action, learn about the Hudson River, or watch the latest episode of "On the Front Lines," DEC's video series.
• Conservationist – NYS’ premiere outdoor magazine--bringing nature to your door! Published six times a year, Conservationist is a NYS-focused magazine that is packed with informative and entertaining articles, first-rate photography, and stunning artwork. Articles cover a broad range of environmental and natural history related topics. Subscribe today to get a piece of the outdoors in your mailbox.

Dates to Remember:

• Second Tuesday of the Month: Sustainability Lunchtime Learning Webinars – A monthly series covering numerous topics of interest, such as Sustainable Flooring, Sustainability for Kids, and Creating a Backyard Vegetable Garden. Pre-registration is required.
• Now through May 15: DEC's annual Saratoga Tree Nursery native tree and shrub seedling sale – Dozens of native tree and shrub species will be available for purchase at a low cost.
• Now through June: DEC Summer Camp registration is now open – It may be cold outside, but now is the time to register your child for some summer fun at one of our DEC Camps. Submit applications through the online registration portal for your preferred summer camp week and location. Register early as some weeks fill up quickly!
• Now through May 14: Annual Spring Burn Ban – Temporarily outlaws burning of residential brush and yard debris. Burning trash is illegal year-round in NYS.
• April 21: John Muir’s Birthday – Known as “The Father of our National Parks,” he inspired people to respect natural resources and explore America’s wilderness.
• April 22: Earth Day – Remember that Earth Day is every day. Include activities that reduce air pollution, such as using less energy at home, walking or biking instead of using a car, and ditching gas-powered lawnmowers. See our website for more tips.
• April 26: National Arbor Day – With the 150th Arbor Day upon us, it’s time to get out and plant some trees! Trees clean the air by absorbing odors and pollutants and trapping them in their leaves and bark. They also make the all-important oxygen that we all breathe.
• April 25 to May 1: Water Week – Clean water is essential to everyone; just as clean air is. Learn about ways to keep water clean by preventing water pollution in the first place.
• May 1 to 7: International Compost Awareness Week – The theme for 2022 in the United States is Recipe for Regeneration: Compost. The program's goal is to raise awareness of the benefits of using compost.
• May 2 to 6: Air Quality Awareness Week – This year's theme is Be Air Aware & Prepared! Air Quality Awareness Week's goal is to increase awareness of how important clean air is and inspire people to take steps to reduce their contribution to air pollution. Let’s take action together to keep our air clean.
• May 7: I Love My Park Day – Show your love for our iconic state park system and public lands by volunteering for a cleanup, improvement, and beautification event at a park near you. Pre-registration is required.

Stay Informed about Your Air Quality

NYS' 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 email.

Connect with us at Air Mail!

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