This week, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced additional meetings to provide progress updates for communities participating in the 2022-23 Statewide Community Air Monitoring Initiative, a statewide effort in ten disadvantaged communities that will help DEC target strategies to reduce air pollution in these burdened communities to support implementation of New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Mobile air monitoring began in September 2022 in some areas of the state, and this first round of meetings will help DEC gather community input to target emission sources and future strategies to reduce air pollution in these communities, including greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
At the meetings, DEC staff will provide an overview of the initiative and present a preliminary overview of the first quarter of air monitoring results specific to each community. Information presented will include how and where the air monitoring is conducted on the street level and how DEC will compile and analyze the data to identify potential contributors of emissions for each pollutant being monitored.
DEC will also provide an update on the progress of establishing community advisory committees to engage with local stakeholders throughout this initiative. Staff from DEC’s Division of Air Resources and Office of Environmental Justice will be available to answer questions and respond to feedback.
Learn more about the 2022-2023 DEC Statewide Community Air Quality Initiative here.
