This Month's Topics:

• Public & Stakeholder Participation Information
• Taking a STEP in the Right Direction to Close Orphaned Wells
• Commute Sustainably with Get There Green!
• Helpful Links
• Dates to Remember
• AQI Alerts for Respiratory Health

Public & Stakeholder Participation Information:

• Part 218 Heavy Duty Low NOx Omnibus Stakeholder Outreach – A public information meeting will be held on September 28, 2022, at 10:00 a.m via webinar.
• Subpart 217-5 Heavy Duty Diesel I/M Program Stakeholder Outreach – A public information meeting will be held on September 29, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. via webinar.
• Municipal ZEV Rebate and Infrastructure Grant Programs – Funding opportunities to help municipalities purchase or lease zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) for fleet use, and to install public electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fuel filling stations. DEC is accepting applications for both programs through 4:00 p.m. on September 30, 2022, or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first.
• Air Monitoring Capacity Building Grants – Funding for eligible not-for-profit community-based organizations located in or serving disadvantaged communities to develop or strengthen programs to reduce exposure and improve public health in communities most impacted by air pollution. DEC is accepting applications through 3:00 p.m. on October 12, 2022, through the NYS Grants Gateway.

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.

Taking a STEP in the Right Direction to Close Orphaned Wells

DEC continued its support of the University at Albany Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) this summer. Since 1986, STEP has promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion of underrepresented students in science and engineering education. During one STEP summer session, DEC Mineral Resources staff taught students about drones, their applications, and the careers they support. Staff described how drone-mounted technologies help locate abandoned, or “orphaned,” oil and gas wells that are difficult to find on foot using hand-held devices. Through videos, students learned how drone thermal cameras are used to conduct animal surveys. The students also saw their own infrared heat signatures in a real-time video feed from one of the drones brought by staff. At the conclusion of the session, participants were able to fly small trainer drones around the classroom.

To safeguard the environment and public health, DEC uses drones to locate orphaned oil and gas wells. When orphaned wells are left unplugged, they may leak and pollute groundwater, surface water, and soils. They may also release methane into the air.

Once a drone operator locates a well, DEC conducts an inspection and prioritizes the well for plugging based on potential environmental, public health, and safety risks. DEC estimates that as many as 75,000 wells may have been drilled in NYS, and tens of thousands of unplugged wells may still exist. Plugging orphaned wells will reduce the amount of pollution in our air, water, and soil, while also helping NYS reach its Climate Act goals. Engaging students in the use of new technologies and increasing diversity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) career paths is essential to ensure equal representation in problem-solving and decision making, especially as DEC develops policies and mitigation strategies to address climate change.

Photo Caption: DEC uses large drones to locate orphaned oil and gas wells. These old wells often leak and pollute the water, soil, and air around them.

Commute Sustainably with Get There Green!

From September 19 through 25, NYS is celebrating Get There Green! — a week to promote and celebrate more sustainable modes of transportation in conjunction with Climate Week NYC. To help reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions, DEC encourages all New Yorkers to take at least one trip September 19 through 25 using a sustainable mode of transportation. Some examples include walking, biking, taking public transit, carpooling, or driving an electric vehicle.

To have your emissions reductions counted toward the NYS total, pledge your trips online. While on your trip(s), and in a safe manner, take a selfie and post it to social media using #GTG22 to let everyone know about your Get There Green trip! To learn more about how to utilize sustainable modes of transportation, visit the Get There Green! webpage.

Helpful Links:

• 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.
• 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.
• AQI Forecasts – Check the daily ozone and particulate matter pollution forecast for your area of NYS.
• 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.
• 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.

Dates to Remember:

• Second Tuesday of the Month: Sustainability Lunchtime Learning Webinars – A monthly series covering numerous topics of interest, such as choosing a green cleanser, climate-friendly air conditioning, and water conservation. Pre-registration is required.
• September - October: Fall Foliage Report – Before you head out on your leaf-peeping adventure, check out the fall color report from I Love New York. The Adirondack and Catskill mountains are breathtaking this time of year. Remember to be safe and respectful when hitting the trails.
• September 19-25: Climate Week NYC – Hosted in conjunction with the United Nations, Climate Week NYC will explore how to fulfill the commitments made by businesses, governments, and organizations in the pursuit of a net-zero future.
• September 19-25: Get There Green! – Celebrate with NYS by pledging to utilize a sustainable mode of transportation at least once this week.
• September 21-27: Go Car-Free for Climate Event – Take the pledge to go car-free for a day to reduce your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.
• September 30: Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol Signing – The Montreal Protocol regulated the use of fluorocarbons, which deplete the ozone layer, but we still need to be mindful of how we dispose of refrigerated household appliances.
• October 4: World Animal Day – Clean air is important for all of earth’s creatures.
• October 16: World Food Day – Purchasing locally grown food reduces fossil fuel emissions from cross-country transportation, improving air quality for everyone.
• October 18: Federal Clean Water Act was enacted this day in 1972 – By conserving electricity, you can help reduce the effects of acid rain on our waterways.
• October 31: Halloween – Consider keeping your trick-or-treating local by walking house to house or to outdoor fall celebrations. It will help keep our air clean.
• November 8: Election Day – Get out and vote!

Stay Informed about Your Air Quality

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 an air quality alert when there is a high AQI value, indicating polluted air. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions and people who exercise outdoors should take caution during an air quality alert. Find out if an Air Quality Alert is in effect by calling the toll-free Ozone Hotline: 1-800-535-1345.

The AQI can be accessed in three ways:

• Check the daily ozone and particulate matter pollution forecast.
• Find an Air Quality Monitor near you.
• Sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts for NYS via email.

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