Governor Hochul Encourages New Yorkers to Participate in Love Our New York Lands Stewardship Days

 

Participants Will Celebrate New York’s Public Lands by Volunteering in Cleanup and Stewardship Events Throughout the State

Events Include Canal Clean Sweep from April 19-21 and I Love My Park Day on May 4

Efforts Align With Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State Announcement to Plant 25 Million Trees Across New York State by 2033

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York State agencies and partners will celebrate a series of stewardship days to help enhance parks, historic sites and public lands. Service projects during four events held throughout the year will raise awareness and visibility of the state’s many outdoor recreation assets and their needs during the Love Our New York Lands Stewardship Days.

“With a record number of New Yorkers and visitors taking advantage of the world class outdoor recreation opportunities our state has to offer, we have a responsibility to preserve the unparalleled beauty of New York’s outdoor spaces,” Governor Hochul said. “I invite all New Yorkers to show how much they love our New York lands and take part in these stewardship opportunities to support the environmental and cultural legacy of our state lands.”

To encourage year-round stewardship, the goal of Love Our New York Lands is to help protect the state’s natural resources by providing visitors with the knowledge necessary to reduce their impact, engage users to practice sustainable and safe recreation and help all visitors feel welcome while visiting state lands. These efforts to enhance New York’s public lands align with Governor Hochul’s plan to plant 25 million trees across New York State by 2033, announced during her 2024 State of the State.

In partnership with Parks & Trails New York, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, New York State Canal Corporation and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will support statewide volunteer opportunities that kick off with Canal Clean Sweep from April 19-21. Events that follow include I Love My Park Day on May 4, Adirondack and Catskill Park Day on September 7 and Fish and Wildlife Day on September 28.

Registration is currently open for the 19th annual Canal Clean Sweep on April 19-21. The annual clean-up event is held across the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail with over 170 volunteer events to select from. Visit www.ptny.org/canalsweep to sign up for the event you would like to attend. Make sure to note the date and time as most events occur the weekend of April 19-21.

The 13th annual I Love My Park Day will take place on May 4 with registration opening April 3. This is the largest statewide volunteer event that enhances our public lands, with volunteers participating by cleaning up debris, planting trees and gardens, restoring trails and wildlife habitats, removing invasive species and working on various site improvement projects. More information can be found at https://www.ptny.org/ilovemypark.

New event opportunities will be available with Adirondack & Catskill Park Day on September 7 and Fish & Wildlife Day on September 28. These events will highlight the unique Forest Preserve lands that are found in New York State and enhance wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation. More information will be available at https://www.ptny.org/lovenylands.

Love Our New York Lands stewardship days come as New York State continues to celebrate the 100th anniversary the State Parks system. Celebratory initiatives include ‘Blazing A Trail,’ an interactive timeline chronicling the agency’s history and influential figures; an exhibit in the New York State Capitol’s State Street Tunnel currently on view; the Share Your Story project, which invites people to tell their own stories relating to Parks and Sites; the Centennial Challenge, which encourages people to win prizes by participating in various activities at parks and sites; and the release of the Centennial Collection merchandise, which includes t-shirts, hoodies, mugs and more. Additional initiatives will be announced throughout 2024.

DEC Releases Draft Eligibility Guidelines for Environmental Restoration and Flood Risk Reduction Grant Programs and Capital Investments Inbox

 

April 26 Deadline for Public Comments on Draft Guidelines for Grants to Repair and Restore Dams, Reduce Flood Risk, and Restore Habitat

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released for public review and comment three sets of draft eligibility guidelines to allocate funding to support the removal or repair of State-owned dams, restoration of State-administered flood control projects, and improvement of flood risk reduction projects statewide under the historic $4.2-billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022.

 

“Strengthening community resilience and reducing flood risk are top priorities for DEC and the Environmental Bond Act will make critical investments to protect critical infrastructure and protect New Yorkers statewide,” DEC Commissioner Seggos said. “The draft eligibility guidelines released today represent another key milestone in Bond Act implementation and I encourage all interested stakeholders to review and provide their comments.”

 

To advance Bond Act funding, DEC will use the feedback received on the draft eligibility guidelines to develop funding programs. Additional eligibility guidelines currently being developed will include grant opportunities for locally administered initiatives.

Eligibility Guidelines for Grants to Reduce Flood Risk through Removal or Repair of State-Owned Dams:

Dams serve as critical infrastructure to reduce flooding, secure water supplies, and help generate energy, among other important functions. DEC will direct funding for flood risk reduction through the repair, rehabilitation, removal, and modernization of State-owned dams. To the greatest extent practicable, projects should include the installation of fish passage structures to provide aquatic connectivity. Eligible applicants include State agencies and authorities.

 

Eligibility Guidelines for the Repair and Improvements of Flood Control Projects:

There are more than 100 State-owned, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) constructed riverine flood control projects in New York State, consisting of an estimated 95 miles of walls and levees that are more than 50 years old. These projects in upstate New York protect 23,000 structures and an estimated 75,000 people. Many of these riverine flood control projects need repair and improvement to return the projects to their design condition and intended effectiveness. DEC will advance efforts to rehabilitate, repair, or improve priority flood control projects providing the greatest level of flood risk reduction benefits. To allocate funding under these proposed eligibility guidelines, DEC would use the authority granted in provisions of the Bond Act to undertake State-administered projects.

 

Public comments on these State-owned dam and flood control project draft guidelines will be accepted through Friday, April 26, 2024, at 5 p.m. and can be submitted in writing: by mail to Ken Kosinski, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12223; and by email to kenneth.kosinski@dec.ny.gov (Place “Bond Act” in the subject line). Questions can be directed to (518) 402-8110.

 

Water Quality Improvement Project Grants for Restoration and Flood Risk Reduction through Removal or Repair of Municipal Dams; Enhancing Aquatic Connectivity Through Dam Removal and Culvert Replacement; And Fish and Wildlife Habitat Acquisition, Restoration and Enhancement Projects:

The Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program is a competitive, statewide grant program to implement projects that directly improve water quality or aquatic habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source. DEC will use feedback on these eligibility guidelines to modify the existing grant programs for construction and implementation of WQIP projects in the following categories.

 

Removal or Repair of Municipal Dams

Many aging dams no longer serve a useful purpose and would benefit communities and ecosystems if removed. Streamlined dam removal and improvement processes and funding are required to safeguard public safety and environmental health. This grant program will reduce flood risks and restore environmental connections through the removal, repair, rehabilitation, and modernization of municipal dams.

 

Aquatic Connectivity

Dam removal and culvert replacement eligible projects include culvert repair, right sizing, and replacement, and dam removal to provide aquatic connectivity, abate floods, reduce erosion, and protect infrastructure. Eligible applicants include municipalities as defined in State Environmental Conservation Law Article 58, including Indian Nations, State agencies, soil and water conservation districts, and not-for-profits, and private owners partnered with other eligible entities. 

 

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Acquisition, Restoration and Enhancement Projects

New York’s fish and wildlife resources have tremendous economic, ecological, recreational, and intrinsic value but are often threatened by habitat loss and/or impairment. This program will provide funding for projects that will, as their primary goal, conserve, protect, restore, and/or enhance important fish and wildlife habitats. Eligible applicants include municipalities as defined in State Environmental Conservation Law Article 58, State agencies, non-profit organizations, Indian Nations, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Public comments on the WQIP project draft guidelines will be accepted until Friday, April 26, 2024, at 5 p.m. and can be submitted in writing: by mail to Stephanie June, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12223; and by email to Stephanie.June@dec.ny.gov (Place “Bond Act” in the subject line). Questions can be directed to (518) 402-8179.

 

Disadvantaged Communities

The Bond Act requires that disadvantaged communities shall receive no less than 35 percent, with the goal of 40 percent, of the benefit of total Bond Act funds ($4.2 billion). Disadvantaged communities are those identified by the Climate Justice Working Group, pursuant to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. DEC has established a 40 percent goal for the grant programs consistent with this Bond Act requirement and will aim to prioritize 40 percent of grant awards to benefit disadvantaged communities.

 

The full eligibility guidelines for all criteria are available in today’s Environmental Notice Bulletin.

 

New York’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022

On Nov. 8, 2022, New Yorkers overwhelmingly approved the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act. State agencies, local governments, and partners will be able to access funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency, and create green jobs. Bond Act funding will support new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change.

Since the Bond Act passed, an inter-agency working group comprised of multiple state agencies has been implementing a transparent and collaborative process to identify needs for environmental funding across the state to help develop program logistics. In the last year, the state announced a $200 million funding investment toward the state’s existing Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant programs, $100 million available for zero-emission school buses, $100 million available for Clean Green Schools, $13.1 million to support construction of the Adirondack Rail Trail, State-administered forestry projects to plant 25 million trees by 2033, support for the state’s successful Climate Smart Communities (CSC) grant program, and funding eligibility for municipal stormwater projects. Find more Bond Act-related information and sign up for progress updates

Owner Of New Jersey Company Admits to Evading U.S. Customs Duties and His Company Agrees to a $3.1 Million Settlement Agreement

 

The owner of a New Jersey company admitted mislabeling hazardous chemicals entering the United States and evading customs duties, DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

George Volpe, 60, of Roseland, New Jersey, owner of Penta International Inc. (Penta), pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an information charging him with wire fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 13, 2024. The company also agreed to a civil settlement to resolve allegations that Penta evaded customs duties and caused the mislabeling of chemicals imported into the United States from China.

Penta is a New Jersey-based company run by Volpe and his family. Volpe admitted that, from January 2016 through August 2021, as the manager and owner of Penta, he participated, in a scheme to defraud, through which he caused mislabeled chemicals, including hazardous chemicals, to enter the United States from China. The fraudulent scheme resulted in an underpayment of U.S. Customs duties in the amount of $1.4 million.

As part of the civil settlement with the United States to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act, Penta has agreed to pay $3.1 million plus interest. The civil claims alleged that Penta representatives conspired with a Chinese vendor to mislabel chemicals entering the United States and to use falsified documents submitted to Penta’s customs brokers. As part of the settlement, Penta admitted that it mislabeled substances in connection with their importation to the United States.

The civil settlement with Penta resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties, called relators, to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The relator, Angel Figueroa, will receive $600,000 of the $3.1 million civil settlement amount recovered by the United States pursuant to the False Claims Act.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers under the direction of port director TenaVel Thomas; auditors with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade Regulatory Audit under the direction of Field Director Roderick “Rick” Lawlor; and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the New Jersey Field Office, with the investigation.  

Manhattan D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment Of Man For Pouring Scalding Hot Liquid On Four Separate Individuals Within 2 Hours

 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. announced the indictment of LARRY MARTIN, 42, for pouring scalding hot liquid on four separate people within two hours earlier this month in Midtown. MARTIN is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with four counts of An Attempt to Commit the Crime of Assault in the First Degree and four counts of Assault in the Second Degree. [1] 

“Larry Martin allegedly committed violent attacks against four randomly selected individuals walking in Midtown within the span of less than two hours,” said District Attorney Bragg. “My thoughts are with the victims as they heal from their extensive injuries. Nobody should fear for their safety while walking in Manhattan.” 

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on March 6, 2024, at approximately 7:10 a.m. at East 44th Street and Lexington Avenue, MARTIN allegedly lunged towards an individual and threw scalding hot liquid down the back of his head, causing burns to his neck. 

After the first incident, at approximately 7:46 a.m. on West 56th Street and 6th Avenue, MARTIN allegedly threw hot scalding liquid on the side of the second victim’s face, causing burns and hearing loss. 

Later that morning at approximately 8:15 a.m. West 42nd Street and 7th Avenue, MARTIN allegedly lifted his hand and poured scalding hot liquid from a cup on the right side of the third victim’s face, burning them. 

At approximately 8:39 a.m. on West 35th Street, MARTIN allegedly poured scalding hot liquid on the fourth victim’s chest and hand, burning them, before walking towards 8th Avenue. 

Assistant D.A. Shanni Davidowitz (Trial Bureau 80) is handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Tricia Phillips (Trial Bureau 80), Deputy Bureau Chief Daniel Makofsky (Trial Bureau 80), Bureau Chief Siobhan Carty (Trial Bureau 80) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, specifically Officer John Lamneck of the Midtown South Precinct Detective Squad, Detective Christopher McLaughlin of the 17th Precinct and Officer Sean Hogan of the 18th Precinct. 

Defendant Information: 

LARRY MARTIN Brooklyn, NY 

Charged:

 An Attempt to Commit the Crime of Assault in the First Degree, a class C felony, four counts

 Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, four counts 

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

California Man Sentenced for Attempting to Illegally Export Firearms and Night Vision Rifle Scopes to The Sultanate of Oman

 

Man Disassembled and Wrapped Firearms in Aluminum Foil Before Hiding Them Inside a Shipping Container at the Port of Oakland

Fares Abdo Al Eyani, 41, of Oakland, California, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiring to export defense articles and attempting to export defense articles.

“Mr. Al Eyani admitted to conspiring to smuggle restricted arms, ammunition, and other defense material to a foreign country and has now been held to account,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The unlawful trafficking of U.S. weapons overseas represents a threat to public safety and national security and will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.”

“Enforcing the nation’s export laws is an important objective for my office,” said U.S Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California, “Because controlling our ports prevents the proliferation of weapons, protects our national security, furthers our foreign policy, and maintains our business competitiveness.”

“The illicit export of weapons overseas will not be tolerated by the FBI and anyone attempting to do so will be held accountable,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “Our office, along with our federal law enforcement partners, are committed to protecting our U.S. technology and citizens from anyone who tries to evade our laws and threaten our national security.”

“The sentencing of El Anayi for attempting to illegally export firearms and night vision rifle scopes to The Sultanate of Oman underscores the serious ramifications for international arms trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Tatum King of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Francisco. “Such actions not only pose significant risks to national security but also contribute to destabilizing regions and potentially fueling conflicts. It's crucial for law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant and prosecute individuals involved in such activities to prevent the illicit proliferation of weapons and technology. This case highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating arms trafficking and enforcing export control regulations. Justice has been served with the hard work and dedication of HSI, and partner organizations FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations San Francisco, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and the Justice Department’s National Security Division.”

According to court documents, Al Eyani acquired no less than four firearms with magazines and ammunition, and at least 44 rifle scopes, monoculars, and goggles with night vision capabilities in 2019. In November 2019, Al Eyani attempted to send the firearms to the Sultanate of Oman in shipping containers departing from the Port of Oakland. He concealed the firearms by disassembling them, wrapping them in aluminum foil, and then secreting them within automobiles inside the shipping container. Then, in December 2019, Al Eyani attempted to export the 44 rifle scopes, monoculars, and goggles to the Sultanate of Oman in two shipping containers departing from the Port of Oakland. Law enforcement searched the containers and seized the firearms, magazines, and ammunition, as well as the 44 rifle scopes, monoculars, and goggles with night vision capabilities, thereby thwarting Al Eyani’s unlawful scheme.

The commercial export of arms, ammunitions, implements of war and defense articles and services from the United States is governed by the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and its attendant regulations, the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR). The AECA authorizes the President, among other things, to control the export of “defense articles” deemed critical to the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States. The AECA also authorizes the President to designate goods as “defense articles,” require licenses for the export of such articles, and promulgate regulations for the export of such articles. By executive order, the President has delegated this authority to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). Accordingly, the DDTC has promulgated regulations under the AECA, known as the ITAR. The ITAR defines a “defense article” as any item on the United States Munitions List (USML). Persons desiring to export items on the USML from the United States to a place overseas must first register with the DDTC and obtain individual export licenses prior to any shipment abroad. 

Court documents establish that the items Al Eyani attempted to export — four firearms, magazines, ammunition, and night-vision rifle scopes — were defense articles prohibited from export without a license by the AECA and the ITAR. Al Eyani did not have a license to export the defense articles.

In a separate sentencing, Al Eyani’s wife, Saba Mohsen Dhaifallah, 42, also of Oakland, was sentenced to three years of probation for making false statements to FBI special agents during the investigation of this matter.

The FBI, HSI, and CBP investigated the case.

Former NYPD Officer Sentenced To 70 Months In Prison For Assisting Gang Leader’s Flee From The U.S. After Committing A Murder

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GINA MESTRE, a former New York City Police (“NYPD”) Officer, was sentenced to 70 months in prison in connection with her involvement in obstructing a federal grand jury investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and serving as an accessory after the fact to a murder committed by a member of the gang.  MESTRE pled guilty to the charges on December 7, 2023, in Manhattan federal court before U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote, who imposed this sentence.   

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Gina Mestre betrayed and abused the trust placed in her by the NYPD and the people of New York.  She swore to protect the public from criminal activity, but instead participated in significant crimes of her own by passing confidential information to a gang leader and helping him evade capture for the murder of a rival gang member.  For violating her oath to the citizens of New York City and her fellow police officers, Mestre has been sentenced to spend more than five years in federal prison.”   

According to the allegations in the Indictment and other documents filed in federal court and based on statements made in public court proceedings:

MESTRE was an NYPD Officer assigned to the 52nd Precinct’s Public Safety Unit.  In the summer of 2020, a major focus of both the precinct and the Public Safety Unit was the reduction of gun violence in the area.  Much of that violence was attributed to members of the Shooting Boys, a violent street gang based in the University Heights section of the Bronx.

In or about June 2020, MESTRE began communicating with Andrew Done, a/k/a “Caballo,” the leader of the Shooting Boys.  MESTRE and Done communicated through secret social media accounts and phone numbers and eventually began an intimate relationship, during which MESTRE provided Done and other gang members with confidential, non-public law enforcement information about the federal grand jury investigation into the Shooting Boys.

MESTRE warned Done, and other gang members, that federal investigators were preparing to bring a federal indictment against the Shooting Boys.  MESTRE also warned Done about impending law enforcement operations, which enabled Done and other gang members to dispose of weapons and conceal other criminal activity before law enforcement arrived on scene.  In addition, MESTRE disclosed the identity of a cooperating witness who provided information about the gang to law enforcement.  Armed with this information, Done and other Shooting Boys assaulted the witness to prevent the witness from further cooperation and to send a clear message within the gang that the punishment for cooperation would be severe.  

On or about November 5, 2020, Done shot and killed a rival gang member (“Victim-1”) as Victim-1 sat in his car on Cromwell Avenue in the Bronx.  NYPD Detectives investigating the murder recovered security camera video (the “Video”) capturing Done’s commission of the murder.  Several members of the 52nd Precinct, including MESTRE, were tasked with identifying the shooter in the video.  In fact, MESTRE was ultimately one of several officers who actually identified Done as the perpetrator.

Despite identifying Done as the shooter and ostensibly participating in the NYPD’s efforts to apprehend him, MESTRE sent Done a copy of the Video to his phone and secretly communicated with Done the day of the murder and in the weeks afterwards.  Specifically, MESTRE warned Done about law enforcement’s efforts to capture him, allowing Done to eventually flee from the United States. 

In March 2022, 10 members of the Shooting Boys were charged in a 15-count indictment with various federal crimes, including racketeering conspiracy and murder.  Done was charged with the murder of Victim-1 and was apprehended in the Dominican Republic several months later. 

On November 17, 2022, Done pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and admitted to his role in the murder of Victim-1.  On February 22, 2023, Done was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

In addition to the prison term, MESTRE, 33, of Mohegan Lakes, New York, was sentenced to two years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau, Group 25, and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.   

Attorney General James Takes Action to Protect Access to Emergency Abortion Care

AG James Co-Leads Amicus Brief to Safeguard Emergency Abortion Care in States Banning Abortion

New York State Attorney General Letitia James today spearheaded efforts to safeguard Americans' access to abortion care during medical emergencies. Co-leading a multistate coalition of 24 attorneys general with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Attorney General James filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in Idaho v. U.S. and Moyle v. U.S., urging the court to maintain a preliminary injunction that required Idaho hospitals to provide emergency abortion care consistent with the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). In the brief, the coalition explains that abortion care has always been considered emergency care under EMTALA and applying Idaho’s abortion ban in medical emergencies harms Idaho residents, as well as students, workers, and visitors in Idaho, and health systems generally.

“Everyone deserves access to comprehensive reproductive and abortion care, especially in the case of life-threatening emergencies,” said Attorney General James. “When these basic rights are under attack, my office will step in to fight against anti-choice decisions that endanger the lives of countless Americans. Abortion access and health care availability are about saving lives. The ban advanced by Idaho interferes with emergency medical care delivered to patients in need, and sets a chilling precedent nationwide.”  

Every hospital in the United States with an emergency department that participates in Medicare is subject to EMTALA. Under the law, emergency rooms are required to provide all patients who have an emergency medical condition with the treatment required, including administering abortion care, to stabilize a patient’s condition. The Idaho law at issue, however, criminalizes abortion care in nearly all situations, including when a pregnant patient experiences an emergency medical condition and requires an abortion to prevent serious harm to their health.

In the brief, Attorney General James and the coalition of 24 attorneys general explain that denying patients emergency abortion care harms pregnant patients and endangers their lives. The coalition also noted that preventing physicians from providing emergency abortion care burdens healthcare systems in other states and can create a public health crisis. This brief is the third one filed in U.S. v. Idaho, after a similar brief was filed in August 2022 in support of the United States’ motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent Idaho’s near total ban on abortion from eliminating necessary emergency abortion care, and in September 2023 urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to affirm the district court’s preliminary injunction ruling. The coalition has also filed similar briefs in litigation involving EMTALA’s application to Texas’s abortion ban.

Attorney General James has been a steadfast advocate for abortion rights and abortion access. In January, Attorney General James led a coalition of 24 attorneys general urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect access to Mifepristone, an abortion medication. Earlier this week, AG James spoke at a rally outside of the Supreme Court in support of access to Mifepristone. In December, Attorney General James secured a court order to stop militant anti-abortion group Red Rose Rescue from blocking access to abortion care in New York. In September, Attorney General James secured changes to Jefferson County Jail’s policies to protect abortion access for pregnant incarcerated individuals.  

Joining Attorney General James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta in filing today’s amicus brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Governor Hochul Announces More Than 100 New Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers to be Built in New York City

Celebrates Start of 2024 International Auto Show in New York City

Expansion of New York Power Authority’s EVolve NY High-Speed Charging Network, Helping Promote Zero-Emission Transportation Throughout State

EV Consumer Adoption Advances Electrification of Transportation Sector, Reducing Carbon Emissions and Creating Healthier Communities

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York State’s plans to install 100 new fast chargers in New York City as the 2024 New York International Auto Show kicks off. Today’s announcement builds on New York’s $1 billion investment in electrifying its transportation sector, which is vital to reducing emissions and achieving Climate Act goals.

“2024’s Auto Show welcomes all New Yorkers and visitors to the Javits Center to see the latest and greatest car models and to learn about electric vehicles and fast charging,” Governor Hochul said. “Electric vehicle purchases have risen 660 percent in the last five years, and we are increasing the availability of EV fast chargers throughout New York. I encourage New Yorkers and visitors to come see the Auto Show and learn more about electric transportation and its benefits.”

In partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), the New York Power Authority (NYPA) is building more than 100 new fast chargers in New York City. This includes 76 high-speed chargers at thirteen new EVolve NY hubs, 20 fast chargers owned by the City and currently in design, and 12 chargers at LaGuardia Airport, slated to begin construction next year. Most sites currently in design will be completed in 2025, with all online by 2026.

The International Auto Show, which runs March 29 through April 7 at the Javits Center, invites people to take a test ride in eight EV models on the Level 1 EV test track and to stop by the state's Charge NY exhibit to learn about incentives for purchasing EVs and programs that support charger growth throughout New York. Auto Show visitors can take a ride, with a professional driver, in a range of new model EVs and explore exhibits that promote consumer awareness and EV adoption.

Visitors to the state’s Charge NY booth can see a map of New York charging sites and plan travel routes on an interactive platform to see where to charge and estimates for how long charging will take at each station. State agency representatives shared information about New York’s programs for making EV driving easier at a panel discussion this morning.

EVolve NY Fast-Charging Network Expanding Across State

The Power Authority is building out high-speed chargers along New York State's major travel corridors through its EVolve NY network. Over the past four years, 170 chargers have been installed at 43 sites, making it easy to travel from New York City to Buffalo, the Adirondacks or Montauk. 38 additional EVolve NY sites are in development, with a total of 90 sites and 400 chargers planned by the end of 2025.

EVolve NY’s mission is to make it significantly easier for New Yorkers to drive across the state and find fast chargers so they can power up and get back on the road quickly. Battery-powered EVs equipped with fast charging capability can charge up in as little as 20 minutes.

EV Consumer Adoption on the Rise

New York State has 200,000 EVs on the road as of February 2024. Growing the number of electric vehicles is supported by programs like the Drive Clean Rebate, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The program has issued more than 132,000 rebates to New Yorkers, totaling more than $135 million, in all 62 counties since 2017. The incentive can also be combined with the federal Inflation Reduction Act tax credit of up to $7,500 for eligible buyers of qualified clean vehicles.

There are currently more than 14,000 Level 2 and DCFC fast chargers installed across the state. The first new fast electric vehicle chargers under NYSERDA’s Direct Current Fast Charger program, which also provides funding for fast charging stations in areas where access is limited, were recently installed by EV Gateway in Ithaca, Owego and Vestal and are expected to be operational this spring.

Additionally, the $15 million Charge Ready 2.0 program is available to support installing Level 2 chargers at workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, and public facilities, and complements other initiatives such as EV Make Ready, EVolve NY and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) programs.

In January 2024, New York State was awarded $15 million in federal funding to build out electric vehicle charging in small- to medium-sized cities, state parks and other tourist destinations, such as hotels and $13 million to repair or replace broken or non-operational electric vehicle charging ports.

EV owners can locate public chargers using smartphone apps such as EVConnect, ElectrifyAmerica, PlugShare, ChargeHub, ChargeWay, ChargePoint,

EVGo, Livingston Charge Port, Google Maps, or the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center. For a map showing EVolve NY chargers, click here. Note that the EVolve NY chargers operate on the Electrify America and EV Connect networks. Credit cards are accepted to charge; no subscription or membership needed.

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35%, with a goal of 40%, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70% renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $46 billion in 65 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000% growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with 400 registered and more than 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.