This November, New Yorkers have the opportunity to protect our communities from natural disasters and climate change with the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. If passed, the Bond Act guarantees that 35 percent of the total funds must be spent on disadvantaged communities. The Bond Act also ​​earmarks $500 million for school districts across the state to transition to all-electric school bus fleets by 2035. Click here to learn more about the Environmental Bond Act of 2022 and make sure to go out to vote! 

At the end of September, the US Army Corps of Engineers released the full report for their NY/NJ Harbor and Tributary Study Tentatively Selected Plan -3B, which we consider the best possible option in spite of some elements that we do not endorse. One of the largest studies ever undertaken by USACE, it outlines their $52B plan for long-term coastal resilience in the NY/NJ area, with a range of coastal storm risk management measures that function as a system including: structural components consisting of storm surge barriers and shore-based measures, as well as, nonstructural measures consisting of natural and nature-based features, land and water based measures, and small scale measures that can be implemented quickly. For large storms, the plan includes: storm surge barriers, navigable gates, and deployable flood barriers. This is an opportunity for the region to actively attain protection from climate disasters and we encourage the community to participate to ensure that final decisions are made with your voices in mind. While we support Plan 3B, there is still time to voice our concerns with details of the plan, so please consider submitting public comments, which will be accepted from now until January 6, 2023 (pending an extension request). Public meetings and updates are posted on the website at the link above, and there is a virtual public meeting on Saturday 11/5 from 10am-12pm.

Last week, Mayor Adams along with the Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) announced a historic investment of $4B for climate action in NYC schools. The plan includes phasing out dirty heating oil in school buildings, electrification of 100 schools by 2030 (prioritizing EJ communities), lighting retrofits, committing that all new schools be all electric, and workforce development programs. This is a huge win for the Climate Works For All coalition that has been advocating for Green Healthy Schools across NYC. Read the full press release here.

On October 27th, our member organization The POINT CDC, hosted a community listening forum with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. NYC-EJA’s Research Analyst Victoria Sanders, along with many other community advocates and representatives, gathered to talk to her about the big issues facing Hunts Point (recently added to her Congressional district) and to hear her plans to better support community needs from her role in the House of Representatives.

On October 6th, the Department of Buildings announced a set of proposed regulations that would shape the implementation of Local Law 97 - the groundbreaking legislation that limits carbon emissions from NYC’s largest buildings starting in 2024, which Climate Works For All helped push. The public comment period is currently open until Nov 14th, which is also when DOB will also hold a public hearing. Comments to DOB on the proposed rules for Local Law 97 can be submitted here.

On October 13, our Energy Planner and Resiliency Planner both testified at a hearing held by the Environmental Protection Committee introducing multiple resolutions and new legislation to support renewable energy siting across the city. Find the full testimony here.

On October 26th, NYC-EJA's Deputy Director testified at the joint Committees on Resiliency and Waterfronts and Transportation and Infrastructure oversight hearing on the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy. We shared our disappointment on the City's release of AdaptNYC, which was mandated by Local Law 122 to be the city’s climate adaptation plan evaluating climate hazards impacting NYC and making programmatic, policy, and project recommendations to prepare and protect our neighborhoods from a changing climate. Instead of being the plan that was legislated, AdaptNYC was released as a few webpages on the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice website broadly describing climate hazards and the resiliency work the City is already doing. Other than Climate Strong Communities, AdaptNYC does not include a set of forward-looking new commitments that are needed to adapt our infrastructure, neighborhoods, and natural environments. Read the full testimony here.

Crain’s NY Editorial: Putting a migrant camp just outside flood-prone Orchard Beach is a bad idea (10/3/22)

Archinect: The Army Corps of Engineers reveals initial coastal resiliency plan for New York City (10/3/22)

Crain’s NY: After flooding, city moves migrant relief center to Randall’s Island (10/4/22)

NY State Attorney General’s Office: Attorney General James Stops School Bus Company from Polluting in New York City Communities (10/7/22)

The Midtown Gazette: New City Sanitation Program Has Critics and Fans (10/8/22)

PBS: Supreme Court Limits EPA Power To Tackle Climate Change (10/12/22)

NY1: Bronx tenants reap benefits as landlord takes on climate change upgrades (10/13/22)

Urban Omnibus: A resilience Workshop (10/13/22)

Canary Media: A Brooklyn neighborhood’s long fight for green jobs is paying off (10/13/22)

NY1: Climate advocate marks 10 years since Hurricane Sandy (10/26/22)

Atmos: 10 Years After Superstorm Sandy, Building Local Resilience (10/26/22)

City Limits: Spared By Sandy, Hunts Point Food Market Slow to Address Flood Risk (10/27/22)

Metrofocus: Peril & Promise Special: 10 Years After Sandy Slammed The Tri-State, Hoe Ready Are We For The Next Superstorm? (10/27/22)

Office of the NYC Mayor: Mayor Adams Announces $4 Billion Plan to Make new Schools All-Electric, Electrify 100 Existing Schools (10/28/22)

Center for Brooklyn History Talk: 10 Years After Hurricane Sandy (10/31/22)

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.