With the implementation of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), New York State is undertaking the most ambitious effort in the U.S. to meet the challenge of climate change. New York’s Climate Act recognizes that while climate change affects all of us, it doesn’t affect all communities equally. The Climate Act charged the Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG) with the development of criteria to identify disadvantaged communities to ensure that frontline and otherwise underserved communities benefit from the state’s historic transition to cleaner, greener sources of energy, reduced pollution and cleaner air, and economic opportunities.

On December 13, 2021, the CJWG voted to approve draft disadvantaged communities criteria for public comment..   Detail on the draft DAC criteria, including an interactive map and schedule for public hearings, can be found online on the Climate Act webpage.  The public comment period is currently open and ends on July 7, 2022.   Comments can be provided at scheduled public hearings, via email, and via U.S. mail; details are available on the Climate Act webpage.

In partnership with the Long Island Progressive Coalition, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Energy Research and Development Authority are hosting an education session to provide an overview of the draft Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) criteria, as developed by the CJWG on Monday, May 16 from 6pm -7pm.   This informational session will allow community members to gain a greater understanding of the draft criteria and the process the CJWG took in developing it.  Please note that comments or other input on the draft criteria cannot be taken at this session and should be submitted as public comments.

Participants can attend the May 16 informational session via this link:

https://nyserdany.webex.com/nyserdany/j.php?MTID=m8e782e35b603457a9c11e754e866f2b6

If you’re unable to attend this session, you can find recordings of previous educational sessions on our website accessible anytime here.