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Volume 13, Issue 9
Dear ,
September came roaring in, with end of summer colliding with Hurricanes Fiona and Ian devastating Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Florida. The need for climate action is ever-more critical - read on to learn more about NYC-EJA's efforts fighting for climate justice and a just transition.
Welcoming Our New Deputy Director!
We're so excited to welcome Eunice Ko as the new Deputy Director at NYC-EJA! Most recently, at the Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice and the Mayor's Office of Climate Resiliency, she worked in climate adaptation and urban policy with a focus on climate and environmental justice. She worked to integrate racial and social justice through policy, operations, and culture. Eunice has experience in organizational development, change management, and strategic planning in local government. She has worked for the City of Chicago and Austin on affordable housing, community safety, and mental health policies and services.

Eunice holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Texas at Austin with an emphasis on policy research and analysis and public management. Eunice enjoys being up in the mountains camping, hiking, and sitting by a fire.
PEAK Coalition Statement on NYPA Hydrogen Demonstration Project
The PEAK Coalition responded to the results from New York Power Authority’s Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project in Long Island. The hydrogen blending demonstration project blended hydrogen with natural gas in NYPA's Brentwood peaker plant. Although NOx emission increases were still under permit levels during a mere 12.5 hours of operation, it is clear from this pilot project that large scale adoption of hydrogen in combustion turbines will have serious public health consequences for surrounding communities. The PEAK Coalition continues to call on NYPA and the power industry to turn away from risky power generation experiments and redirect public and ratepayer funds toward the rapid deployment of proven, clean renewable energy and battery storage solutions. Read the whole statement here.
Extreme Heat Study Bill Signing
NYC-EJA knows that heat mortality disparities and disproportionate vulnerabilities are not unique to New York City, which is why we supported the Senate and Assembly’s passage of the first NYS law to mandate a study analyzing the impact of the urban heat island effect on disadvantaged communities across the State (S8431/A10001B). The bill passed both in the Senate and Assembly earlier this session, and has now been signed by the Governor. Find our memo of support for the bill here, and the press release from the Governor's office here.
Last-Mile Coalition Submits Zoning Text Amendment
On Wednesday, September 07, the Last-Mile Coalition submitted its zoning text amendment application to the NYC Department of City Planning (DCP). The coalition, comprised of member organizations - UPROSE, El Puente, and The Point CDC - and other allies, is calling on NYC DCP to mitigate the explosive growth, disproportionately concentrated in already overburdened low-income communities of color, of last-mile trucking facilities – warehouses where packages are sorted and sent out for distribution – and the resulting air pollution, traffic congestion, and unsafe streets. If adopted, the amendment would require last-mile trucking facility developers to seek a special permit from the City Planning Commission, which would require developers to show the facility’s impact on traffic congestion, potential air pollution in surrounding disadvantaged communities, compliance with waterfront district zoning requirements and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in furtherance of New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act targets. Read the press statement here. 
Local Law 97 Webinar
During Climate Week, the Climate Works for All coalition held a webinar on Local Law 97 (LL 97) on how to take climate action to everyday New Yorkers and discuss how advocating for equitable implementation of City laws like Local Law 97 (LL97) could ensure a healthier and safer future for all of New York.

The webinar was designed to inform, educate, and equip New Yorkers on the law and discuss how to actively work towards a just climate transition using resources available to everyday New Yorkers through LL 97. The aim was to center the experiences of communities and work to create a space where we can talk to New Yorkers about LL97, how it impacts our everyday lives and how we can advocate for an equitable implementation of the law.

Watch the recording here, passcode: 1B%y&$9a 
Acknowledgements
Our Executive Director Eddie Bautista was honored to be included on 'The 2022 Power of Diversity: Latino 100' list by City & State alongside a number of allies. We congratulate all the awardees for Hispanic Heritage Month - P’alante!
NYC-EJA IN THE NEWS








Be sure to check for more exciting news from NYC-EJA about our ongoing work, on our website and in future newsletters! And if you like what you read, please consider making a tax-exempt donation to support our work.

Sincerely,
Eddie Bautista
Executive Director
New York City Environmental Justice Alliance
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