SAVE THE DATE

The New York State Chemistry Council's "Business of Chemistry" Lobby Day will be on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at the Fort Orange Club in Albany, NY from 8AM to 11AM. The day begins with breakfast, followed by a morning program where attendees will hear from both industry and legislative leaders, and ends with afternoon legislative meetings for members. 

For more information, please contact Erin DeSantis at nyschemistrycouncil@gmail.com. 
 

📣 Provide Feedback

DEC Releases Draft Policy for Evaluating and Averting Disproportionate Impacts of Permitting Actions on Disadvantaged Communities

📆  Public Comment Deadline Extended: January 3, 2024

The NYSCC will submit comments on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) draft policy document to provide guidance during DEC's permitting process for how and when to consider impacts on disadvantaged communities under the Climate Act. 

The Climate Act requires that agency actions avert disproportionate burdens on disadvantaged communities (DACs) and prioritizes reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and co-pollutants in these communities. The draft policy is the latest of many regulatory and policy steps taken to implement the Climate Act. 

Earlier this year, New York's Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG), finalized criteria to identify disadvantaged communities. The criteria considers environmental burdens and climate change risks, socioeconomic factors, and health vulnerabilities. A list of disadvantaged communities, along with maps, is available on the Climate Act website. 

The DEC invites comments on the draft policy by Jan. 3, 2024 to: Comment.DEP-23-1@dec.ny.gov

Prohibitions on Coal-Based Pavement Sealers
Effective November 8th, 2023

Prohibitions on the sale of coal tar pavement sealers
The prohibition on the sale or offering for sale in New York of pavement products containing coal tar took effect on November 8, 2023. Pavement products containing coal tar can no longer be sold or offered for sale in this state.

Learn more about Coal Tar-Based Pavement Sealers.

 

DEC Announces Regional Workgroups to Facilitate Implementation of New York's 2023 Great Lakes Action Agenda

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)  will host regional workgroup meetings to engage with the public about New York's Great Lakes Action Agenda 2023 (GLAA) (PDF). The workgroups will assist in the implementation of the action plan to guide restoration and conservation and foster sustainable, resilient communities across New York's Great Lakes region.

The upcoming workgroup meetings will be held within the four major Great Lakes sub-basin areas.

Southeast Lake Ontario:
Nov. 29, 1 - 4 p.m. - McCrobie Civic Center, 21 Lake St., Oswego

Northeast Lake Ontario / Saint Lawrence River:
Nov. 30, 1 - 4 p.m. - Massena Town Hall - 3rd floor conference room (elevator available), 60 Main St., Massena

Lake Erie:
Dec. 4, 1 - 4 p.m. - Tifft Nature Preserve, 1200 Fuhrmann Blvd., Buffalo

Southwest (SW) Lake Ontario:
Dec. 5, 1 - 4 p.m. - Seymour Library, 161 East Ave., Brockport

The workgroups will offer connections with organizations that may provide technical assistance, subject matter expertise, and information about funding opportunities and other resources; advancing local projects and partnerships; and learning about available funding programs and other support resources. A remote option to attend will also be made available by request.

For more information, email greatlakes@dec.ny.gov.

 

DEC Ongoing Engagement

 

• Ongoing Public Engagement: Statewide Community Air Monitoring Initiative Meetings – DEC is undertaking a statewide community-based air quality monitoring effort, focusing on ten disadvantaged communities with high air pollution burdens around the state. Check the 2022-23 Statewide Community Air Monitoring Initiative webpage for the latest information on upcoming community meetings, recordings of past meetings, and the status of each location's air monitoring efforts.

• Ongoing Public Engagement: New York Cap-and-Invest Program under the Climate Act – DEC and NYSERDA are seeking feedback on a series of questions on the three regulations being developed for the Cap-and-Invest Program: Cap-and-Invest Rule, Mandatory Reporting Rule, and the Auction Rule, as well as the methods for the analysis underpinning the program. While we have encouraged comments by July 1, 2023, to inform the next phase of the process, comments will continue to be accepted and your feedback is important to us. Check the Cap-and-Invest website for the latest information on upcoming meetings, recordings of past meetings, and the status of the process.