MAYOR ADAMS, D.A. BRAGG ANNOUNCE NEW MIDTOWN COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COALITION TO ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE, PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN

 

Coalition Includes More Than 20 City Agencies and Community Partners to Create a Cleaner, Safer, and More Vibrant Midtown Business District 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. today announced the launch of the Midtown Community Improvement Coalition, a new interagency quality of life improvement hub that brings together law enforcement, elected officials, and community and business leaders to address public safety and quality of life issues in Midtown Manhattan. Modeled off the successful 125^th Street Business Improvement District (BID) Interagency Hub, the Midtown Community Improvement Coalition includes more than 20 city agencies, service providers, and other government and community partners.

The coalition will work to address a range of public safety issues, including retail theft, substance use, the mental health crisis, beautification, illegal scaffolding, unlicensed cannabis shops, and more. The coalition will deploy teams to conduct regular walkthroughs to observe issues in real time and speak with local community members and businesses on the ground. They will also identify specific individuals in the area who may need connections to services, such as housing or medical care, and make referrals to the appropriate city agency or service provider.

“With the launch of the Midtown Community Improvement Coalition we are doubling down on our commitment to improving quality of life, protecting public safety, and beautifying these historic and beloved neighborhoods for working-class New Yorkers,” said Mayor Adams. “Government working hand in hand with the community is crucial to creating a vibrant, cleaner, and more livable city where all New Yorkers can thrive, and that’s why the community’s input is so important to our success. Thank you to all of our partners for working so collaboratively to make our city better.”

“Midtown Manhattan is essential to the economic well-being of our city — and the entire region. It’s among the busiest commercial districts in the entire world, home to thousands of permanent residents, iconic tourist attractions, restaurants, retailers, and critical transportation hubs that are the gateways to our city,” said Manhattan District Attorney Bragg. “This new coalition, which combines the resources and expertise of a variety of agencies and providers, will enhance public safety and quality of life for everyone in the area. We have already proven the success of these inter-agency collaborations through the 125^th Street Hub, and I know we will be just as successful in Midtown. I want to thank Mayor Adams and his administration, the NYPD, the Garment District Alliance, and Times Square Alliance for their commitment to realizing this collaborative effort.”

The coalition is the result of an ongoing partnership between the Adams administration and community partners dating back to 2023 focused on addressing community of life and public safety concerns within the geographic areas of 34^th Street to 45^th Street, between 7^th Avenue and 9^th Avenue, as well as 34^th Street to 37^th Street on 8^th Avenue. It is co-chaired by Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance; Barbara Blair, president of the Garment District Alliance; and Brian Weber, president of the Midtown South Precinct Community Council. In 2023, Mayor Adams launched the ‘Community Link’ initiative spearheaded by First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. Community Link brings together various city departments and agencies to work together with the community and business leaders to address complex and often chronic community complaints that require a multi-agency response. Participating city agencies include:

• Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health
• Fire Department of the City of New York
• New York City Department of Buildings
• New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
• New York City Department of Environmental Protection
• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• New York City Department of Homeless Services
• New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
• New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
• New York City Department of Small Business Services
• New York City Department of Transportation
• New York City Police Department (NYPD)
• Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York

Since its inception, Community Link has already convened five community improvement coalitions throughout the five boroughs. Over the last 18 months, these coalitions have responded to over 800 complaints and conducted over 600 operations to address quality of life concerns raised by the communities they serve.

“We are thrilled that the Midtown West neighborhood has joined forces with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Adams administration to develop and implement 2024 solutions for the quality-of-life challenges we see on the corridor in midtown between Penn Station and the Port Authority that balances the needs of those suffering on our streets with those of residents and visitors to our neighborhood,” said Tom Harris, president, Times Square Alliance. “I am confident that if we all work together, our neighborhood will work better for all New Yorkers.”

“The Garment District Alliance is gratified that Mayor Eric Adams and Manhattan District Attorney Bragg are taking up the challenge of combating social disorder on Eighth Avenue between Penn Station and the Port Authority,” said Barbara Blair, president, Garment District Alliance. “The challenges in this area have always been there but grew exponentially during the pandemic. The concentration of social service entities adds an additional layer. The Midtown Community Improvement Coalition will directly address conditions in a coordinated way. The causes of public realm disorder are complex. This Coalition is an opportunity for the Sheriff's office, NYPD, DSNY, and others to respond as a team. In the first weeks that we have been working together we have collaborated to close loopholes and worked in a results-driven process. With 57 hotels in the district welcoming millions of stays a year, commuters using the two of the largest transportation hubs in the country, office workers, and residents will all be beneficiaries of the Midtown Community Improvement Coalition."

“The Midtown South Precinct Community Council welcomes Mayor Adams and District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s ongoing commitment to address chronic public safety and quality-of-life issues along the 8^th Avenue corridor,” said Brian Weber, president, Midtown South Community Council. “We are thankful for our partnership with the Garment District Alliance and Time Square Alliance, and the support of the Midtown South Precinct, the NYPD, the District Attorney Office, and the Mayor’s Office for collaborating on the formation of this coalition tasked with facilitating solutions beyond the scope of singular city or state agencies. Coordinating and utilizing existing tools and resources across a range of social services and enforcement agencies, we endeavor to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of all residing, working, commuting, or visiting this area daily.”

“Our Community Improvement Coalitions have had a lot of success cleaning up various areas around the city, and their work has been second to none,” said NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell. “The partnerships they have formed continue to provide tangible results in improving the quality of life for the people of this great city.”

“Undertakings such as this one are exactly why the Community Improvement Coalitions were formed,” said NYPD Deputy Inspector Maurice Williams. “We have the resources and knowledge to make an immediate and long-lasting impact on this community and are eager to bring about a positive change that residents and visitors will be able to feel.”

“We look forward to continued collaboration with all our partners as we develop innovative strategies to address public safety and quality of life issues impacting midtown Manhattan. This critically important area, which includes Times Square and the 8th Avenue corridor, serves as a major transportation hub for millions of people and as a preeminent center of entertainment and cultural attractions for visitors and city residents alike,” said Bridget G. Brennan, Special Narcotics Prosecutor, City of New York. “I applaud Mayor Eric Adams, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and all of our other partners for their leadership in listening to communities, and for drawing on an array of perspectives and expertise to secure the safety and vibrancy of midtown.”

MAYOR ADAMS CELEBRATES $58.3 MILLION INVESTMENT IN CITY’S THREE LIBRARY SYSTEMS

Announcement Follows On-Time, Balanced, and Fiscally-Responsible $112.4 Billion

Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 That Invests in Future of New York City

New York City Mayor Eric Adams celebrated an on-time, balanced, and fiscally-responsible $112.4 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget that addresses the city’s affordability crisis head-on and invests in the future of the city and the working-class people who make New York the greatest city in the world. The budget specifically invests $58.3 million to fully fund three major library systems — the New York Public Library (NYPL), the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), and the Queens Public Library (QPL). The investments will allow the libraries to resume Sunday service across all branches that previously offered it and open newly renovated locations across the five boroughs.

On Friday, Mayor Adams and New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams also announced that $42.8 baselined will be baselined in budgets in years going forward. Yesterday, the City Council voted to pass the FY25 Budget. Following Friday’s announcement, New Yorkers from across the city, including the heads of the three library systems, praised the FY25 Budget. Thanks to the Adams administration’s ongoing strong fiscal management, which was bolstered by better-than-expected revenue growth, the administration overcame unprecedented challenges in this budget cycle to stabilize the city’s financial outlook and close a $7.1 billion budget gap.

“As a young man who struggled with dyslexia, I understand firsthand how important libraries are for children, families, and every New Yorker in leveling the playing field,” said Mayor Adams. “That’s why we restored more than $58 million in funding to our city's three public library systems and baselined $42.8 million in funding every year moving forward — providing peace of mind to our entire library system. From providing spaces to prepare our young people for a bright future to being a vital partner in the creation of affordable housing, libraries are a lifeline for countless communities. Today, we can all be proud that our city has a budget that invests in our libraries and invests in the future of our city.”

“Making good on our promise to increase affordable housing, support cultural institutions, and invest in libraries, we have funded and restored critical services for New Yorkers thanks to responsible fiscal management,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “The Inwood Library and The Eliza Apartments not only bring a state-of-the-art library facility and affordable housing uptown, but are a model for building co-located housing moving forward. We thank the City Council for their partnership and shared commitment to improving the lives of all New Yorkers through this year’s budget process.”

Libraries are a critical part of New York City’s social fabric, which New Yorkers depend on for children’s growth and the vibrancy of the city. Seven-day service will begin in branches that previously offered it on a rolling basis. Starting July 14, there will be a branch open seven days a week in every borough. For the New York Public Library, it will be in Parkchester Library in the Bronx, Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library in Staten Island, and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library in Manhattan. For the Brooklyn Public Library, it will be in the Central Library and Kings Highway Library. And at the Queens Public Library, it will be at the Flushing Library and Central Library. The FY25 Adopted Budget ensures the city’s library systems will have what they need to serve 8.3 million New Yorkers and attract visitors every day of the week.

Because of steady, decisive decision making, this Adopted Budget allows the Adams administration and the City Council to reinvest in protecting public safety, rebuilding the city’s economy, and making the city more livable for working-class people, including by investing in initiatives and programs that make New York City more affordable. As part of the budget agreement, the Adams administration and the City Council joined together to pass a collaborative budget that addresses the three things that cost New Yorkers the most — housing, childcare, and health care — and invest billions of dollars of city resources in critical areas, including early childhood education, cultural organizations, parks, public safety, housing, health care, and more.

The Adams administration has made continued investments and advancements towards the city’s library systems. Recently, HPD and NYPL celebrated the opening of The Eliza in Inwood, Manhattan, a new 100 percent affordable housing building anchored by community amenities, including the new Inwood Library – Joseph and Sheila Rosenblatt Building, a universal pre-K, and the Activities, Culture, and Training (ACTS) Center. Earlier this year, Mayor Adams additionally announced that HPD also worked with NYPL to redevelop the Grand Concourse library branch into an affordable housing project and a new state-of-the-art library. The new development will create much-needed family-friendly housing for Bronx residents and further the administration’s commitment to addressing the housing shortage crisis by building more affordable housing across the five boroughs. 

Partnerships for Parks - Vital Parks for All, Grants Webinars, Design Support, and more

 

Vital Parks for All: Investing in NYC's Living Infrastructure

We’re thrilled to announce that NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue has released Vital Parks for All: Investing in NYC's Living Infrastructure, NYC Parks’ $3.2 billion plan to protect existing park facilities, equitably deliver new resources to underserved communities, and equip New Yorkers with information to enjoy, celebrate, and support our parks! 

As we face growing challenges across our city; including increased reliance on parks, aging infrastructure, and climate change and extreme heat; protecting our living infrastructure has become more important than ever. As part of Vital Parks for All, NYC Parks developed a list of measurable elements that contribute to a Vital Parks System with one of the core elements being engaged New Yorkers like you. The Citywide Parks Network, a key strategic initiative with City Parks Foundation, will create a network of organizations committed to parks, from grassroots groups to larger conservancies, building capacity and developing new partners in underserved communities to ensure all parks are supported by engaged New Yorkers, making them active and vibrant public spaces.

Find out how your park measures up! Check out the Vital Parks Explorer, a digital map which details the health of individual parks at a glance to check your park’s vital signs today! Additionally, if you lead a community group dedicated to parks, you can add your group to NYC Parks’ volunteer directory to increase your group’s visibility and attract new volunteers!

LEARN MORE

NYC Green Fund Crowdfunding Challenge Info Session

Looking for funding to support your local park, community garden, green street, or street trees? There's still time to apply to the NYC Green Fund Crowdfunding Challenge, which provides up to $3,000 in matching funds to approved community projects that are hosted through an ioby crowdfunding campaign.

Join us for an informative, virtual Q&A and presentation on the NYC Green Fund Crowdfunding Challenge to discover key strategies for maximizing your fundraising efforts. Learn about the benefits of donation matching, exclusive resources, and personalized support. Register now to gain valuable insights and ensure your project reaches its full potential.

Registration for this session is required and will close the day before the event. You will receive information on how to join the webinar once you register. 

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

REGISTER NOW

Design Support

Want to create a brochure, website, or other promotional materials? We offer custom design support to strengthen the outreach, membership, and program-planning capacity of community groups who care for neighborhood parks across our city.

Design support can be used to create brochures, websites, and marketing materials (including business cards, postcards, logo consultation, and more). Apply now to take your outreach efforts to the next level with design support. 

APPLY NOW

Make it Rain: Grants for Your Green Space

Join us as we partner with CitizensNYC to talk grants, financial resources, and tips to secure funding for your 2025 projects.

This webinar is hosted by NYC Parks GreenThumb, the nation’s largest urban community gardening program, sustaining over 550 gardens throughout New York City. 

Thursday, June 27, 2024 from 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m 

REGISTER NOW

Partnerships for Parks is a joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks that supports and champions a growing network of leaders caring and advocating for neighborhood parks and green spaces. We equip people and organizations with the skills and tools needed to transform these spaces into dynamic community assets.

Three Former Executives Sentenced for $1B Corporate Fraud Scheme

 

Three former executives of Outcome Health (Outcome), a Chicago-based health technology start-up company, were sentenced for their roles in a fraud scheme that targeted the company’s clients, lenders, and investors and involved approximately $1 billion in fraudulently obtained funds.

• Rishi Shah, 38, a co-founder and former CEO of Outcome, was sentenced on June 26 to seven years and six months in prison.
• Shradha Agarwal, 38, a co-founder and former president of Outcome, was sentenced yesterday to three years in a half-way house.
• Brad Purdy, 35, the former chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Outcome, was also sentenced yesterday to two years and three months in prison.

“Outcome’s former executives deceived their clients, their auditor, their lenders, and their investors for years,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their sentences should serve as yet another reminder that ‘faking it until you make it’ is not an acceptable practice for any business, whether that company is a technology start-up or a well-established corporation. Lying about your revenue to obtain customers or financing is fraud, plain and simple. The Criminal Division is committing to holding companies and their executives accountable for their misconduct.”

“The defendants’ vast scheme defrauded the clients, investors, and lenders who supported their business,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois. “Although they sought to hide the fraud by silencing whistleblowers and duping auditors, a jury rightly held the defendants accountable for their extensive fraud scheme. Our office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to deliver justice for the victims of complex fraud schemes.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Outcome, which was founded in 2006 and known as Context Media prior to January 2017, installed television screens and tablets in doctors’ offices across the United States and then sold advertising space on those devices to clients, most of which were pharmaceutical companies. Shah, Agarwal, and Purdy sold advertising inventory the company did not have to Outcome’s clients and then under-delivered on its advertising campaigns. Despite these under-deliveries, the company still invoiced its clients as if it had delivered in full. Shah, Agarwal, and Purdy lied or caused others to lie to conceal the under-deliveries from clients and make it appear as if the company was delivering advertising content to the number of screens in the clients’ contracts. Purdy and others at Outcome also inflated metrics that purported to show how frequently patients engaged with Outcome’s tablets installed in doctors’ offices. According to the trial evidence, the scheme targeting Outcome’s clients began in 2011 and lasted until 2017, and resulted in at least $45 million of overbilled advertising services.

“This was an elaborate, billion-dollar fraud scheme by three people who were supposed to be leaders of the company,” said Executive Assistant Director Timothy Langan of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. “Instead, these now former executives attempted to illegally line their own pockets. This type of fraud and abuse takes critical resources out of our health care system, and the FBI will always work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute anyone who intends to defraud the American public.”

Shah, Agarwal, and Purdy also defrauded Outcome’s lenders and investors. The under-delivery to Outcome’s advertising clients resulted in a material overstatement of Outcome’s revenue for the years 2015 and 2016. The company’s outside auditor signed off on the 2015 and 2016 revenue numbers because Purdy caused others to fabricate data to conceal the under-deliveries from the auditor. Shah, Agarwal, and Purdy then used the inflated revenue figures in Outcome’s 2015 and 2016 audited financial statements to raise $110 million in debt financing in April 2016, $375 million in debt financing in December 2016, and $487.5 million in equity financing in early 2017. The $110 million debt financing resulted in a $30.2 million dividend to Shah and a $7.5 million dividend to Agarwal, and the $487.5 million in equity financing resulted in a $225 million dividend that benefited Shah and Agarwal.

“The defendants in this case have been brought to justice for their actions in deceiving Outcome Health’s clients and fraudulently obtaining approximately $1 billion from its lenders and investors,” said Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Shimon R. Richmond of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG). “The FDIC-OIG will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to hold accountable individuals who harm lenders, investors, and clients by committing such fraudulent acts." 

A federal jury convicted Shah, Agarwal, and Purdy in April 2023. Shah was convicted of five counts of mail fraud, 10 counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud, and two counts of money laundering. Agarwal was convicted of five counts of mail fraud, eight counts of wire fraud, and two counts of bank fraud. Purdy was convicted of five counts of mail fraud, five counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud, and one count of false statements to a financial institution.

Three other former Outcome employees pleaded guilty prior to trial. Ashik Desai, the former chief growth officer, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Kathryn Choi, a former senior analyst, and Oliver Han, a former analyst, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Desai will be sentenced on Sept. 20. Choi and Han will be sentenced on Oct. 4 and Oct. 11, respectively.

The FBI and FDIC-OIG investigated the case. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission provided assistance in the case. 

Assistant Chief Kyle C. Hankey of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Yonan, Corey Rubenstein, and William Hogan for the Northern District of Illinois prosecuted the case. Former Assistant Chief William E. Johnston of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew F. Madden and Saurish Appleby-Bhattacharjee for the Northern District of Illinois also prosecuted the case through trial.

KRVC welcomes our new Interim Executive Director, Laura Levine-Pinedo!

 

KRVC welcomes our new Interim Executive Director, Laura Levine-Pinedo!

Laura Levine-Pinedo is a true Bronx girl raised on W238th St and Review Place. She has over 20 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry and holds a BA in International Business.

In 2020, Laura founded The 4Bronx Project. The origin of The 4Bronx name comes from Laura being raised by her grandmother in apartment 4B. The 4Bronx takes what Laura learned in the home, and expands it borough-wide. Many times, Bronx stories are not told. Laura couldn't let that happen to her grandma. The 4Bronx Project was founded to ensure her Mema's spirit and legacy would continue.

In her opinion, The Bronx has been the forgotten borough for decades. Laura is excited to do her part to change that narrative by always putting The Bronx first. Currently, Laura is the first point of contact for 4 Bronx shelters. She directly services over 600 families with resources and entertainment. She has produced: carnivals, holiday parties, back-to-school events, self-love events, community libraries, and so much more. She would like to thank all of the volunteers and community partners who help make the magic happen! They are the local heroes! Her gratitude to them is immeasurable.

In addition, The 4Bronx Project also aims to promote and embrace the greater Riverdale community. Laura co-organizes: Riverdale Pride, Riverdale Restaurant Week, The Riverdale Easter Egg Hunt, BOO! On Mosholu, The Riverdale Women's Celebration, and so much more! She also produces small business spotlights, and has her own podcast, "The 4Bronx CommuniTea Podcast."

In 2023, Laura began as a small business resource specialist with The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and the NYC Small Business Resource Network. Her training has made her an advocate for Bronx businesses by providing resources to Bronx entrepreneurs. Some resources include financing, marketing, legal, business strategy, and MWBE city and state certification.

Laura is passionate about creating a more inclusive community and giving a voice to Bronxites. She is enthusiastic about her new position and strengthening community partnerships. She feels honored to have been trained by Tracy Shelton, her predecessor, who laid the groundwork for many more great things to come. Thank you to the KRVC board for believing in her mission as well. Together, with your help, let's make our community thrive!

Laura is grateful for her husband, Andrew. She credits her mother for being a positive role model in business and life. Laura speaks fluent Spanish. She enjoys singing and traveling.

You can reach Laura directly at laura4bronx@gmail.com.

United States Obtains Consent Decree Against Gristedes Supermarkets For Violating Refrigerant Management Regulations

 

Defendant Admits and Accepts Responsibility for Violations and Agrees to Injunctive Relief and a Penalty of $400,000

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced that the United States filed a civil lawsuit against GRISTEDE’S FOODS NY, INC. (“GRISTEDES”) alleging violations of the Clean Air Act and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) Recycling and Emissions Reduction Rule (“RER Rule”) due to GRISTEDES’ failure to comply with regulations designed to limit the emission of refrigerants from appliances at its store into the atmosphere.  The United States and GRISTEDES simultaneously entered into a Consent Decree resolving that lawsuit.  The Consent Decree requires GRISTEDES to pay a $400,000 civil penalty and to undertake millions of dollars of repairs to reduce its future emissions of refrigerants that are greenhouse gasses. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Between 2019 and 2021, Gristedes systematically violated EPA refrigerant regulations, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions at a rate far higher than others in the industry.  To give a sense of scale, Gristedes’ emissions had a global warming effect equal to driving a car 140,000,000 miles.  As a result of our lawsuit, Gristedes is now required to reduce its emissions by over 70% from their 2020 levels to offset at least some of the damage it has caused, and it will face significant additional penalties under the Consent Decree if it fails to do so.” 

The Clean Air Act and the RER Rule impose requirements on the owners and operators of commercial refrigeration appliances to prevent the emission of regulated refrigerants into the atmosphere.  Many refrigerants (including those utilized in GRISTEDES stores) are powerful greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change when emitted.  They also deplete the ozone layer and are toxic to humans when present in the air in large quantities.

As alleged in the United States’ Complaint filed in Manhattan federal court:

GRISTEDES has owned and operated a chain of approximately 20 supermarkets in New York City.  Between 2019 and 2021, despite utilizing regulated refrigerants known as hydrochlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons at its supermarkets, GRISTEDES systematically failed to comply with key aspects of the RER Rule — failing to calculate the rate at which its appliances were leaking when adding new refrigerants, failing to timely repair leaks, failing to conduct verification testing after repairing appliances, failing to retrofit or retire leaking appliances, and failing to report chronically leaking appliances to EPA. 

As a result, GRISTEDES’ refrigerators have leaked refrigerants into the atmosphere at a rate far higher than industry standards.  These leaks have emitted more than 40,000 pounds of regulated climate-impacting refrigerants, with a greenhouse gas effect equivalent to driving an average, gasoline-powered vehicle an extra 140,000,000 miles.

In the Consent Decree, GRISTEDES admits, acknowledges, and accepts responsibility for the following conduct between 2019 and 2021: 

• Failing failed to adopt or implement refrigerant management practices that were consistent with the RER Rule.

• Failing to calculate the leak rates for appliances upon addition of refrigerants to those appliances and to maintain records of the same. 

• Failing to repair appliances that had leak rates above applicable thresholds under the RER Rule and to maintain records of the same.

• Failing to perform initial and follow-up verification tests to ensure that the repairs were successful, to perform subsequent leak inspections at intervals required by the RER Rule, and to maintain records of the same.

• Failing to implement retrofit or retirement plans for the appliances that had uncontrolled leaks or to maintain records of the same.

• Failing to submit reports to EPA related to chronically leaking appliances.

• Maintaining corporate-wide leak rates of 40%, 59%, and 46% in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively, resulting in the emission of 42,094 pounds of refrigerants, in total.

Pursuant to the Consent Decree, GRISTEDES will pay a penalty of $400,000, an amount based on the company’s documented inability to pay the full civil penalty for which it otherwise would be liable.  Further, the Consent Decree requires GRISTEDES to undertake repairs of its commercial refrigeration equipment with an estimated cost of $13,500,000, to adopt a comprehensive refrigerant compliance management plan, to convert three stores to utilize advanced refrigerants with low global warming potential, and to lower its corporate leak-rate below 16%.  Failure to comply with the Consent Decree will give rise to significant additional penalties. 

To provide public notice and afford members of the public the opportunity to comment on the Consent Decree, the Consent Decree will be lodged with the District Court for a period of at least 30 days before it is submitted for the Court’s approval.

Mr. Williams thanked the attorneys and enforcement staff at EPA’s Region 5 for their critical work in this matter.

DEC AND OPRHP ANNOUNCE RELEASE OF DRAFT 30X30 CONSERVATION STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW

 

Methodology and Strategy Document Outlines Key Measures to Support National Goal of Conserving 30 Percent of U.S. Lands and Waters by 2030

Aug. 30 Deadline for Public Comments 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) announced the release of a proposed strategy document for implementing New York’s commitment to support the national goal of conserving 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The draft New York State 30x30 Methodology and Strategies document is available for public comment until Aug. 30, 2024, and outlines a comprehensive framework to achieve the directive in the 30x30 legislation signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in December 2022.

DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “New York’s sustained leadership to invest in and advance natural climate solutions is vital to achieving both our climate goals and our efforts to conserve 30 percent of state lands and waters by 2030. Public input on the draft 30x30 Methodology and Strategies document released today will help inform these efforts as New York State moves forward with planning and managing new acquisitions, conservation partnership work, and applicable policies and regulations to meet our goals.”

OPRHP Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “OPRHP is proud to be a partner in the conservation of New York’s lands and waters under the 30x30 initiative. Our ever-expanding State Park system is just one piece of the puzzle. We are committed to the protection of biodiversity, resilient habitats, connectivity, and providing public recreation as we uphold our continued mission of responsible environmental stewardship.”

The 30X30 Methodologies and Strategies document builds upon New York State’s extensive efforts to preserve open space through numerous programs, partners, and funding sources. Recent accomplishments include the acquisition of 287 acres at the former Bell Station power plant to create the Cayuga Shores Wildlife Management Area, acquisition of 203 acres to add to Fillmore Glen State Park, the creation of the 500-acre Sojourner Truth State Park in Ulster County, and the ongoing finalization of an agreement to permanently protect more than 14,600 acres at Follensby Pond and the Raquette River in the Adirondacks. Key components of the draft 30x30 Methodology and Strategies document include:

• Defining what will be counted towards New York’s 30x30 goal including both permanent and persistent protections;
• Creating a baseline of what is already protected to determine the number of acres needed to reach 30 percent of New York State’s lands and waters;
• Identifying priority conservation areas based on ecological significance and biodiversity;
• Pinpointing strategies for providing support to conservation partners to protect lands and waters, including enhancing existing grant and other programs that protect land, developing new grant and other programs to protect land, and legislative initiatives that protect land; and
• Establishing methods for supporting sustainable land management practices and promoting climate resilience.

The draft document incorporates the following legislative objectives:

• Conserving lands prioritized through the Open Space Conservation Plan;
• Providing protections for water sources, sole source aquifers, and watersheds;
• Preserving biodiversity through habitat restoration and means for wildlife migration, with a focus on endangered and threatened species;
• Expanding public access to nature and the outdoors;
• Considerations of urban, suburban and rural natural areas, wetlands, and forests;
• Protecting food sources through farmland preservation; and
• Increasing climate resilience, including reducing risk from extreme weather events, cooling urban landscapes, and the prevention of erosion and flooding.

The draft 30x30 Methodology and Strategies document will be available for review and comment for 60 days during which DEC and State Parks will hold two virtual public meetings to ensure input from stakeholders, community leaders, and environmental experts across the state.

To access the draft document and provide comments, visit DEC’s 30x30 webpage. The details for the virtual meetings will also be posted on this webpage. A summary of public comments will be included in the final document as an appendix. Progress towards the 30x30 goal will be posted annually to the DEC webpage.