In this issue:
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.
As part of the State’s ongoing efforts to gather information regarding sources of air pollutant emissions, DEC has proposed a Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting rule (6 NYCRR Part 253) to collect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data and related information. The rule focuses on collecting reliable GHG information from emission sources on an economy-wide basis. The information collected would improve NYS’s annual Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report, provide a mechanism to track emission trends, and better inform and monitor the effectiveness of emission reduction strategies. It also intends to support the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) by collecting emissions data that would help to inform proposed actions to meet the law’s directive to reduce GHG emissions by 40% of 1990 levels by 2030 and 85% by 2050.
Complying with CLCPA, the Climate Action Council was convened to develop a Scoping Plan containing recommendations to reduce GHG emissions to achieve CLCPA emissions levels. The proposed rule is one of the Scoping Plan’s recommendations and would also support additional recommendations contained in the plan. There are no requirements to reduce GHG emissions included in the proposed rule at this time.
As proposed, DEC would collect emissions data each year on June 1 for the previous year’s emissions. The first report would be due on June 1, 2027. Applicability for reporting would be based on emission source categories. Emission source categories include:
- owners and operators of facilities with emissions at or exceeding 10,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e);
- fuel suppliers, including those supplying natural gas, liquid fuels and petroleum products, liquified natural gas and compressed natural gas, and coal;
- waste haulers and transporters;
- electric power entities;
- suppliers of agricultural fertilizer and lime; and
- owners and operators of anaerobic digestors or storage of liquid or slurry waste.
To facilitate the implementation of the proposed rule, DEC is developing a reporting platform where reporting entities can submit their annual emissions data reports. This platform will be known as the NYS Electronic Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Tool (NYS e-GGRT). Additionally, DEC created a GHG Estimation Tool to aid facilities in assessing their GHG emission potential and, therefore, the rule’s applicability to their facility. The GHG estimation tool applies GHG emission factors to relevant activities and results in approximate GHG emissions in CO2e using a 20-year global warming potential for that activity. This resource shall not be considered a final determination of an entity's obligation to report and is for illustrative purposes only.
On May 15, 2025, DEC held two informational sessions to help the public & stakeholders better understand the proposed rule and inform public comments. These webinars were solely for informational purposes and did not constitute a public hearing under the State Administrative Procedures Act. Recordings of the webinars are available to view on the DEC Mandatory GHG Reporting webpage. DEC held several in-person public comment hearings around NYS, including two fully virtual hearings. The public comment period closes on July 1, 2025, at 5:00 pm.
For additional information on submitting public comments, visit the Air Pollution Regulatory Revisions webpage.
Temperatures are rising, but that doesn’t mean your electricity costs have to. Air conditioning is one of the biggest contributors to household electricity bills in the summer. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) set the goal for 70% of the State’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030. While NYS prides itself on its quick movement to achieve this goal, some of the State’s electricity is still generated from fossil fuels, such as natural gas. When burned, these energy sources release greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the air, contributing to climate change. Before turning your AC on, consider these cool, energy-saving tips to beat the heat:
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Light the Efficient Way: Swap out your old bulbs for LEDs. LEDs are more energy-efficient and give off less heat than incandescent lights.
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Pull the Plug: Many devices use power even when turned off, creating heat and using extra electricity.
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Block the Sun: Keep your blinds or curtains closed during the day to block the sun’s rays and help keep indoor spaces cooler.
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Make the Swap: Renewable energy is a great way to limit your household's GHG emissions. Consider joining a community solar project in your area for an easy way to support and receive the benefits of green energy while also saving money on energy costs.
On hot summer days when air conditioning is necessary to cool your household, consider the following tips:
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Check Your Air Filter: A dirty air filter can reduce airflow and make your AC work harder to cool down your space, reducing energy efficiency.
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Use a Ceiling Fan: Use a ceiling fan (if available) as well as your AC to better circulate air in the room and cool it more efficiently.
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Avoid Wasting Energy: Turn off ACs and ceiling fans when you leave the room to avoid wasting energy.
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Use the Timer: If your AC has a built-in timer, you can use it to reduce energy consumption and save money by running it only when needed.
Staying cool doesn’t have to come at the expense of our wallets or the environment. It can be simple and sustainable. By making a few changes, you can stay comfortable by lowering the temperature in your home and your emissions this summer.
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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.
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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.
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DEC Does What?! – Check out our new podcast, which highlights what DEC does to protect our environment.
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AQI Forecasts – Check the daily ozone and particulate matter pollution forecast for your area of NYS.
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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.
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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.
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Summer 2024: Great American Campout – Join the fun by taking the pledge to camp - in a park, a backyard, or even your living room - and be a part of the summer-long celebration. No matter where you camp, you can find fun ways to connect with nature and learn about wildlife.
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June 16 to 22: National Pollinator Week – Take steps to provide habitat and food for pollinators this summer by reducing mowing and pesticide use and planting trees and flowering plants. These actions will also help to keep our air clean.
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July: Plastic Free July – Limit single-use plastics for the full month. When plastics end up in our landfills instead of properly recycled, they can contribute to air and land pollution.
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July 1: DEC’s Birthday – This year, we are celebrating 55 years of environmental protection. We have had many successes along the way, but there are still environmental challenges to overcome.
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July 4: Independence Day – Learn Before You Burn and take caution when starting any backyard or camping fire.
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August 9: Smokey Bear’s Birthday – Smokey says, “Only you can prevent wildfires.” Do your part by building safe fires using only charcoal or local, dry firewood. This will keep our air clean and our yards wildfire-free.
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August 17: National Thrift Store Day – Making new products has a high environmental and personal cost. Shop at thrift stores for used products to save money and the environment.
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.
The AQI can be accessed in four ways:
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