What: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), will hold public hearings on June 2, June 10, June 14, and June 15, 2022, to receive input on the Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria and advance the finalization of the criteria to help guide the implementation of the State's nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

New York's Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG), which consists of representatives from environmental justice groups from across the State and representatives of several State agencies, developed the draft criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities and voted to release it for public review. The State is holding a total of 11 public hearings with four in-person hearings and seven virtual hearings. All persons, organizations, corporations, and government agencies are encouraged to attend the public hearings and to submit oral or written comments.

All New Yorkers are encouraged to provide input on the criteria that will help advance Environmental Justice and guide the climate programs and projects to reduce air pollution and climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions, provide economic development opportunities, and target clean energy and energy efficiency investments.

Individuals attending in-person and virtual hearings and providing comments will be given two minutes to speak. Lengthy statements should be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. If in-person hearings cannot be held due to changing COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, hearings will shift to virtual at the same date and time.

When:

Virtual Public Hearing Finger Lakes/Southern Tier

Thursday, June 2, 2022, 6 p.m. ET

Event Address: Via WebEx

Call In Number: 518-549-0500

Event Password: DACHearing-2022

Event Number: 2348 291 6486

Lower Hudson Valley Public Hearing

Friday, June 10, 2022, 6 p.m. ET

Grace Baptist Church

52 S 6^th Avenue

Mount Vernon, NY 10550

Capacity of Venue: Up to 100 may attend this hearing.

Attendees are encouraged to pre-register at NYSERDA’s website.

Transportation:

Vehicle Parking:

• There is a metered parking lot accessible across the street.

Health and Safety:

• Proof of vaccination is required by the venue.
• Disposable face masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the event.
  

NYC Public Hearing

Tuesday, June 14, 2022, 6 p.m. ET

DEC Region 2 Office, 8^th Floor Conference Room

47-40 21^st Street

Long Island City, NY 11101

Capacity of Venue: Up to 80 may attend this hearing.

Attendees are encouraged to pre-register at NYSERDA’s website.

Transportation:

Public Transportation Options:

• 7 train to Hunters Point Avenue
• G train to 21^st Street
• E/M train to Court Square - 23^rd Street
• Long Island Rail Road to Hunterspoint Avenue
• Q67 to 21^st Street/Jackson Avenue
• B62 to Jackson Ave/47^th Avenue

Vehicle Parking:

• Street Parking (limited)

Health and Safety:

• Proof of vaccination is not required by the venue.
• Masks are encouraged but not required. Disposable face masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the event.
  

Virtual Public Hearing Central NY/Mohawk Valley

Wednesday, June 15, 2022, 6 p.m. ET

Event Address: Via WebEx

Call In Number: 518-549-0500

Event Password: DAC-Hearing2022

Event Number: 2346 475 5880

Information for All Hearing Attendees:

Pre-registration is encouraged but not required for the hearings. Priority in speaking will be given to those who pre-register based on their place of residence for the regional hearings. Individuals can pre-register for virtual and in-person hearings at the Climate Act website. All hearings will be professionally recorded and transcribed as part of the official record and posted on the Climate Act website.

Members of the public who want to provide oral comment must attend either in-person or join a virtual hearing. Equal weight will be given to oral and written statements. American sign language and language interpretive services shall be made available upon written request at no charge. Requests for interpretation must be received at least 10 days before the hearing date and directed by mail to NYSDEC, Office of Communication Services, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-4500), by telephone (518-402-8044), or by email to language@dec.ny.gov.

Written comments can be submitted through July 7, 2022 via the online public comment form, via email to DACComments@dec.ny.gov, or via U.S. Mail to Attention: Draft DAC Comments, NYS DEC, Attn. Office of Environmental Justice, 625 Broadway, 14th Floor, Albany NY 12233.

Visit the Climate Act website for more information about the draft disadvantaged communities criteria and for information on the Climate Justice Working Group.