We Need Your Input: Revised Meeting Notice with Extension to Request ASL and Language Interpretation Services

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
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Barriers and Opportunities for Historically Overburdened and Under-Resourced Communities Report

DEC, in cooperation with the New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA), will hold virtual public meetings on November 3 and 4, 2021, to receive comments that inform the development of the Barriers and Opportunities for Historically Overburdened and Under-Resourced Communities Report.

The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) directs DEC to prepare a report on barriers to, and opportunities for, access to or community ownership of five types of services and commodities in disadvantaged communities, pursuant to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. DEC, NYSERDA and NYPA are seeking public input on barriers and opportunities to the following services and commodities in communities that are historically overburdened and under-resourced:

  • Distributed renewable energy generation. For example, community-owned solar or storage, solar subscription models, renewable energy on multifamily or public housing, and third-party leasing or financing models.

  • Energy efficiency and weatherization investments. For example, insulation or other deep energy retrofits, heating system repairs or replacements, building electrification, energy efficient appliances, direct install programs, and bill payment assistance.

  • Zero-emission and low-emission transportation options. For example, mobility options and increased accessibility for individuals without vehicles (e.g., active transit, public transit, ridesharing), electrification of private and public transit vehicles, owning or hosting EV charging stations, and clean transportation prizes to encourage innovation.

  • Adaptation measures to improve the resilience of homes and local infrastructure to the impacts of climate change. For example, microgrids, green/natural features and shade trees, floodproofing and/or storm-hardening rental and multifamily housing, resilience audits for homes and businesses, disaster preparedness and response, community resilience plans and funding, and drinking water/watershed protection.

  • Other services and infrastructure that can reduce the risks associated with climate-related hazards. For example, shelters and cool rooms during extreme heat events, other cooling resources such as misting stations, shelters during flood events, medical treatment for asthma and other conditions that could be exacerbated by climate-related events, and in-home assessments to identify health and safety hazards.
    Virtual Public Hearings:

There will be two WebEx meeting sessions: November 3, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. and November 4, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. These meetings will facilitate public input on barriers and opportunities within each of the five services and commodities listed above. Study findings will be further refined based on public input.

All persons, organizations, corporations, or government agencies are invited to attend the public meetings and to submit oral or written comments. It is not necessary to speak at both  virtual meetings, as equal weight is given to statements made in each forum. Additional information, including instructions for joining each event as well as supplemental documents, will be made available prior to each event at: https://climate.ny.gov/Events-and-Meetings.

All New Yorkers, especially those who live or work in historically overburdened and under-resourced communities, are encouraged to provide comments and input on the following questions:

  • What challenges do you (or your community) face in accessing or using programs or services related to the five topics listed above?

  • What opportunities do you see to make it easier for you (or your community) to access or use programs or services related to the five topics listed above?

Lengthy statements should be in writing and summarized for oral presentation. Reasonable time limits may be set for each speaker to afford everyone an opportunity to be heard. Equal weight will be given to both oral and written statements. American Sign Language and language interpretation services shall be made available upon written request at no charge for either service. Requests should be submitted to NYS DEC, Office of Communication Services, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1550 or by email to: public@dec.ny.gov, or phone (518) 402-8044 no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 2, 2021.

Individuals and organizations that cannot attend the public meetings may submit written comments. Written comments may be provided at any time. Written comments may be provided in the following ways:

An online public comment form:  https://climate.ny.gov/Events-and-Meetings
Email your comments to: opportunities.report@nyserda.ny.gov
Mail your comments to:
Elizabeth Boulton
NYSERDA
17 Columbia Circle
Albany, NY 12203

Contact: Saran Bernard, NYS DEC - Office of Environmental Justice, 625 Broadway, Albany NY 12233, Phone: 1-866-229-0497