WESTERN NEW YORK: Public hearing on NYS Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria (VIRTUAL)

When:

June 30, 2022: 12:00PM to 3:00PM

Where:

Virtual via Webex

To Attend:

Register to Attend

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 across the state to receive public input on draft disadvantaged communities criteria and advance the finalization of criteria to help guide the implementation of the State’s nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

The Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria Public Comment Period commenced in March with a 120-day public comment period that ends July 7, 2022.

All persons, organizations, corporations, and government entities are encouraged to attend the public hearings and submit oral or written comments. Each participant will be given two minutes to provide public comment. Lengthy statements should be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. PowerPoint presentations are not allowed, but individuals may provide written supporting documents or visuals.

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. Pre-registration for virtual hearings is strongly encouraged but not required.

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 using the WebEx link for the meeting. 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 comments must attend either in-person or join a virtual hearing. Equal weight will be given to oral and written statements.

The virtual public hearings will include live closed captioning. 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. Requests for interpretation should be directed by mail to NYSDEC, Office of Communication Services, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-4500), by telephone (518-402-8044), or by email ([email protected]).

Written comments can be submitted through July 7, 2022, via the online public comment form, Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria Public Comment Period, via email to [email protected], or via U.S. Mail to Attention: Draft DAC Comments, NYS DEC, Attn. Office of Environmental Justice, 625 Broadway, 14th Floor, Albany NY 12233.

For more information about the Climate Justice Working Group, visit the Climate Act website.