Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Study Extreme Heat Conditions in Disadvantaged Communities

 

Legislation (S.8431-A/A.10001-B) Directs the Department of Environmental Conservation To Conduct a Study on the Impacts of Disproportionate Heat Conditions in Urban Areas 

 Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation (S.8431-A/A.10001-B) that will direct the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to study the impacts of disproportionate heat conditions, otherwise known as urban heat islands, in disadvantaged communities.

 

"Extreme heat threatens the lives and welfare of many New Yorkers each year, but particularly those in disadvantaged communities and communities of color," Governor Hochul said. "As we round out Climate Week, we are taking steps to address extreme heat and combat climate change. This study will put us on a path toward protecting New Yorkers and making the state a healthier, more sustainable place to live for future generations."

 

Legislation (S.8431-A/A.10001-B) directs the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in consultation with the environmental justice interagency coordinating council and the climate justice working group, to study the impacts of disproportionate heat conditions in urban areas, particularly in disadvantaged communities. Various cities across the state are susceptible to increased heat due to infrastructure that traps and stores heat throughout the day, which is a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect. The study will identify urban disadvantaged communities with concentrations of heat islands, include recommendations on how to identify, prevent and address adverse health and environmental impacts from urban heat island effects and identify potential funding to address such impacts.

 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, "Climate change is not only affecting our environment, it is already contributing to deadly public health consequences in communities historically overburdened by environmental pollution. DEC looks forward to advancing this critical study with our many local, state, and legislative partners and will continue to work under Governor Hochul's leadership to help address extreme heat and keep New Yorkers safe."

New York State is already taking steps administratively to address extreme heat in urban communities, including with the formation of the Extreme Heat Action Plan, an effort jointly lead by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Interim recommendations for the Extreme Heat Action Plan were released on July 23, 2022. The plan specifically focuses on communities disproportionately impacted by environmental pollution and climate change and identifies gaps in the State's existing approach to mitigating extreme heat impacts on areas of employment, recreation, and disadvantaged communities.