This December, after 7 years after advocacy, New York finally has a Climate Action Plan. Read on to learn more about what NYC-EJA has been working on this holiday season. |
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NY State's Climate Action Council Releases Final Scoping Plan! |
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On Dec 19, after more than two years in the making, the NYS Climate Action Council released the Final Scoping Plan. This plan outlines how the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) will be implemented and sets a path to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and co-pollutants, increasing the use of renewable energy and storage, and ensuring climate justice for communities across New York State. Through NY Renews, NYC-EJA has worked tirelessly with our numerous allies to ensure that the broader climate and environmental justice movement has achieved major victories in this plan. Now the real work begins - Governor Hochul, the Legislature, state agencies, municipalities and neighborhoods across NY State must work together to achieve the CLCPA goals and mandates, while ensuring a just transition to a clean, reliable energy system. Read the full scoping plan here.
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Public Comment Period Extended for USACE NY/NJ Harbor and Tributaries Study |
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NYC-EJA, our Resilient Coastal Communities Project partners, and a large group of waterfront advocates submitted a formal request to extend the public comment period on the USACE HATS Tentatively Selected Plan. In response, the Army Corps has received approval from Congress to change the comment period deadline from January 6, 2023 to the new date of Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
NYC-EJA continues to engage in the Army Corps’ process by attending meetings, making recommendations, and preparing comments for submission. The most recent public meeting (held on 12/16) will have recordings posted soon at this link.
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NYC Council Committee on Environmental Protection Hearing |
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On Thursday, Dec 15, our Energy Planner, Daniel Chu, delivered comments in support of Int 612 during the New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection hearing. If Council passes the legislation, the City can keep track of power plant performance and emissions while encouraging action to protect the environment and health of New Yorkers. The City will submit comments to the State if Title V permits are violated. Daniel noted that the bill can do more if amended to empower the City to take action before a power plant goes out of compliance, make tracking information publicly accessible, and push the state to maximize penalties. Our Transportation Planner, Kevin Garcia, also submitted written comments in support of the other bills, Int 279, Int 606, Int 684, and Int 707. Requiring the City to purchase zero-emission medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks will accelerate the elimination of traditional truck diesel emissions, designate heavy-use thoroughfares to mitigate the impact of a massive uptick in last-mile warehouses in our city, and expand on the sensitive receptors to include parks and green spaces that are impacted by vehicle idling can help reduce tailpipe emissions, improve the lives of New Yorkers, and tackle climate change.
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NYS Extreme Heat Action Plan Planning Forum |
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The New York State Extreme Heat Action Plan Working Group (EHAPWG), established by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and NYSERDA, aims to address the impacts of extreme heat through a co-design process with a variety of community stakeholders. This month NYC-EJA, along with our member UPROSE, participated in the first of many EHAP planning forums. This engagement is the start of the planning process that NYC-EJA will be involved in to ensure that the State’s plan effectively reduces the impacts of extreme heat on environmental justice communities.
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Brooklyn Bus Network Redesign |
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On Thursday, December 1, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced the Brooklyn Bus Network Redesign. The MTA will be hosting a series of virtual community forums between January and March to gather feedback from riders. These projects offer an opportunity for riders to provide feedback on how to update routes, where to place stops, and improve connectivity. This can help improve bus speed, reliability, and service based on population growth and commute pattern changes.
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Re-imaging the Cross-Bronx Expressway |
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Just before the break, the Office of the Mayor announced a $2 million federal grant to study reimagining the Cross-Bronx Expressway. The corridor displaced over 600,000 residents and gutted the community. Although one of NYC's main transportation arteries, the roadway is a major source of traffic congestion, noise pollution, and air pollution in the neighborhood it crosses and for the Bronx. This is a drop in the bucket of what is necessary to reverse the harmful effects of the thoroughfare, but it’s a start. NYC-EJA and our Bronx members applaud Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul on this long overdue study and will be monitoring its progress.
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Sincerely,
Eddie Bautista
Executive Director
New York City Environmental Justice Alliance
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