DEC ANNOUNCES $11 MILLION FOR CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITY PROJECTS

 

Grants Help Support State’s Climate Goals through Green Infrastructure, Greenhouse Gas Reductions, and Storm Resiliency

 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that DEC's Climate Smart Communities Grant program awarded $11 million to municipalities across the State as part of the $196 million in Regional Economic Development Council awards announced by Governor Kathy Hochul earlier this month. The projects will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the ongoing impacts of climate change, including reducing flood risk, increasing natural resiliency, and relocating or retrofitting critical infrastructure.

“Municipalities that become Climate Smart Communities serve as models for others across the State by taking local action to reduce pollution and protect residents from severe weather and other consequences of our changing climate,” said Commissioner Seggos. “Governor Hochul recognizes the severity of the challenges before us and these Climate Smart grants demonstrate New York State’s ongoing commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping all cities, towns, and villages, especially environmental justice communities, become stronger and more resilient.” 

Established in 2016, this 50/50 matching grant program supports municipalities seeking to become certified Climate Smart Communities and implement projects that advance that State’s climate change goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating flood risk, and helping to prepare for extreme weather. The program is jointly sponsored by seven state agencies: DEC, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York Power Authority, Department of State, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, and Department of Public Service. It supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which requires New York reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Since the program’s inception, DEC awarded more than $50 million to municipalities in support of local climate mitigation and adaptation projects. More information about the grant program is available on the DEC website.

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy as New York State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enshrined into law through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York is on a path to achieve its mandated goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy-wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York's unprecedented investments to ramp-up clean energy including over $33 billion in 102 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.6 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. Combined, these investments are supporting nearly 158,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2020, a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011 and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Under the Climate Act, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities, and advance progress towards the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JANUARY 4, 2022

 

76,279 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

99 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19. 

"The best way to protect ourselves and our children from getting hospitalized with COVID is with the vaccine and booster," Governor Hochul said. "As we continue to fight the winter surge, let's continue to use these tools: Get your second dose and booster when eligible, get your children vaccinated, remember to wear a mask and stay home if you're not feeling well. If we don't, many more New Yorkers will continue to get sick."

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported – 236,904
• Total Positive – 53,276
• Percent Positive – 22.49%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive – 21.81%
• Patient Hospitalization – 10,411 (+848)
• Patients Newly Admitted – 1,758
• Patients in ICU – 1,302 (+94)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation – 625 (+28)
• Total Discharges – 235,245 (+887)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 99
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS – 48,798
  
  The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only. 
• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC – 61,607
  
  This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings. 
• Total vaccine doses administered – 33,869,900
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours – 76,279
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days – 640,460
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose – 89.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series – 80.7%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) – 95.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 82.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose – 78.2% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series – 69.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) – 84.0% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 71.8%

Attorney General James Issues Warnings to EZ Test NY and Keep Health Safe to Stop Misrepresenting Turnaround Times for COVID-19 Test Results

 

New Yorkers Complain of Waiting More Than a Week for Test Results From Both Companies

Two Letters Follow Similar Letters to LabQ, Labworq, Sameday Health, and ClearMD Health

 New York Attorney General Letitia James yesterday issued two warning letters to two companies facilitating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing — EZ Test NY (a Brooklyn-based collection center) and Keep Health Safe (a Fort Lee, New Jersey-based collection center) — for not meeting promised turnaround times for test results. Both companies have testing sites throughout New York City where they are advertising the delivery of results within 24 hours (EZ Test NY) or 48 to 72 hours (Keep Health Safe), yet both companies have made customers wait in excess of seven days for results, with some complaints to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) detailing wait times as long as 11 days. The two letters notify both companies that New York law prohibits false advertising and instructs the companies to immediately update their websites and any signage at test sites to accurately reflect how long individuals can expect to wait before receiving COVID-19 test results.

“Across the city, labs and collection centers continue to make false promises about turnaround times for COVID-19 test results when there is no way for them to actually fulfill those promises,” said Attorney General James. “Both EZ Test NY and Keep Health Safe must immediately stop their false advertising and give New Yorkers realistic turnaround times for COVID-19 test results. Waiting more than 11 days when results were promised in 24 hours is completely unacceptable. We are demanding both companies to immediately update their websites and signage and to notify patients of realistic timelines in which they will receive results. Positivity rates have skyrocketed due to Omicron and holiday gatherings, so any company conducting COVID-19 tests must do so with realistic timeframes. Any New Yorker who continues to see misrepresentations about COVID-19 test turnaround times is encouraged to file a complaint with my office immediately.”

In addition to warning EZ Test NY and Keep Health Safe to update their websites and signage and to instruct their employees to provide accurate information concerning turnaround times, the letters issued by Attorney General James request that both companies contact all of their customers who are currently awaiting COVID-19 test results to let them know when they can realistically expect to receive those results.

Yesterday’s letters follows four separate letters Attorney General James sent last month to LabQ, Labworq, Sameday Health, and ClearMD Health demanding that the companies take similar steps to update their websites and their signage, and to inform consumers about realistic wait times for COVID-19 test results.

Attorney General James asks any consumer who believes a lab or other testing facility is making misleading statements about turnaround times for COVID-19 test results to file a complaint online with the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau or call the office at 1-800-771-7755.

FREE COVID-19 PCR Testing at Borough President Levine’s Northern Manhattan Office

 

DEC ENCOURAGES OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS TO PURCHASE NEW RECREATION-THEMED TRAIL SUPPORTER PATCHES

 

Patch Sales Enhance and Maintain Non-Motorized Trails throughout New York

 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the release of the latest New York State Trail Supporter Patches. The 2022 patches consist of five designs that resemble the international symbols for some of New York State’s most popular outdoor recreation activities – cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, camping, and biking. Each patch will be available individually for a limited time; however, the entire series can be purchased at any time.

"New York State residents and visitors can show their love for New York's premier recreational trails by purchasing this year’s trail supporter patches, starting with the seasonally appropriate cross-country skiing patch,” Commissioner Seggos said. “All funds received will support projects to increase public access to outdoor recreation opportunities."

The public can purchase a Trail Supporter Patch for $5 (or the full series for $25) at any sporting license sales outlet, or online at the DECALS website.  The proceeds from patch sales go into the Conservation Fund's Outdoor Recreation, Trail Maintenance, and Development account to help maintain and enhance DEC’s non-motorized recreation trails throughout the state.

Since its introduction in 2007, patch sales have funded a variety of projects including the construction of a boardwalk and pit privy in Texas Hollow State Forest, foot bridges on the Northville-Placid Trail and at the Catskill Visitor Center, an accessible horse mounting platform at Brookfield horse assembly area, and multiple lean-tos in the High Peaks Wilderness. Patch funds were also used to purchase materials for the new mountain bike trails at Elm Ridge Wild Forest and to maintain the Otter Creek horse trails. For more information on the Trail Supporter Patch visit DEC's website.

DEC remains committed to promoting opportunities for outdoor recreation throughout the state and is actively working with partner organizations and tourism promotion agencies to highlight and encourage sustainable recreation and responsible use on State lands. DEC's 'Love Our New York Lands' campaign was launched in response to the steady increase in the number of visitors to state lands, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the decade prior, as more and more New Yorkers and visitors from other states and countries discovered the natural beauty of New York State. For details and more information, visit the Love Our New York Lands page on DEC's website.

MAYOR ADAMS SIGNS “SMALL BUSINESS FORWARD” EXECUTIVE ORDER TO REFORM SMALL BUSINESS VIOLATIONS

 

Reforms will reduce fine schedules and allow for warnings for first-time violations

 Mayor Eric Adams today signed the “Small Business Forward” Executive Order to reform existing business regulations, ensuring local businesses face fewer needless fines and penalties. The Executive Order builds upon Local Law 80 and calls on the Department of Buildings, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Sanitation, Fire Department, Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to review business regulations with the goal of reducing fine schedules and allowing for cure periods or warnings for first-time violations.

 

“Our small businesses have been through so much during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “The last thing they need to deal with are unnecessary fines. We’re cutting the red tape and bringing real relief to the entrepreneurs who have made their dreams a reality and keep our local economy strong.”

 

“New York City is open for business,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, we’re going to drive real change that cuts red tape and allows small businesses across the five boroughs to power our economic recovery. I look forward to working with my colleagues across government to deliver on this mayoral priority.”  

 

“With this Executive Order, New York City is being decisive and focusing on what municipal government can do right now to help our small businesses,” said incoming Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services Kevin D. Kim. “This EO makes it clear to every City agency that we, as a city, must work together to reduce unnecessary fines on small businesses for them to thrive. Ultimately this EO will save small businesses millions of dollars and countless hours of dealing with red tape and bureaucracy. By setting a goal of reforming fine schedules and working with businesses who are issued first-time violations, we are implementing smart policy that will help small businesses get back on their feet. Thank you to Mayor Adams for making small businesses a top priority from day one.”

 

“My in-laws have been small business owners in New York City for 50 years, surviving recessions, hurricanes, blackouts, 9/11, and now a pandemic,” said Joanne Kwong, president and second-generation owner of Pearl River Mart, the longtime Asian American emporium. “For those of us still standing, we’ve made it through the worst but still need support and partnership from government to recover. We are incredibly heartened by Mayor Adams’ commitment to small business and feel hopeful for a new year, new mayoralty, and reenergized New York City.”

 

The Executive Order will require:

- Within three months, each Agency will identify the 25 violations that are responsible for the greatest number of summonses and fines issued to small businesses and submit the following:

   - Recommendations for which violations should be reformed via a) elimination, b) fine schedules scaled back, c) allowance of a First Time Warning, and/or d) allowance for a Cure Period for first-time violations.

    - If no reform action is recommended for a violation, provide an explanation as to why the status quo should be maintained (e.g. serious health or safety risk)

    - Identify the necessary actions for reform (e.g. rule-making, City legislation, State legislation, etc.)

- All enforcement agencies should immediately review and update their violation tracking systems, inspection procedures and trainings, and the language on their summons tickets in order to ensure that they are prepared to introduce cure periods and first-time warnings for violations in compliance with this EO.

- The establishment of an Inter-Agency Working Group - which includes each enforcement agency and to be chaired by a Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development and the SBS Commissioner - to review Agency submissions and oversee the ensuing business regulatory reform process.

 

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and our neighborhoods – and we must do what we can to help them succeed through difficult times,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “Reducing barriers to their thriving businesses is critical for our city’s economy and the pocketbooks of New Yorkers.”

 

“Throughout the pandemic, small businesses have suffered despite larger businesses bringing in record profits,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “I’m grateful that Mayor Adams is taking steps to reduce burdensome fines, bureaucracy, and hurdles that our local small businesses face. Local business is the backbone of so many neighborhoods across the city, and I’m glad that city government will work together to support them.”

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated our small businesses and we must do all that we can to support them as these unprecedented hardships continue," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L Gibson. "Our Bronx small businesses and entrepreneurs, who have been forced to adapt due to the extremely changing landscape created by the COVID-19 pandemic, are an essential component of our borough's recovery and make up the vibrant culture of The Bronx. I have been a long-time champion for small businesses. During my tenure in the City Council, I was a prime sponsor of Intro. 2233, which provided small businesses relief from violations including certain sanitation, health transportation, consumer affairs, noise control and building violations. Protecting vulnerable local job-creators, while preserving employment opportunities for our hard working residents and providing them with the necessary resources to recover, is more important than ever. I applaud Mayor Adams for putting this new Executive Order into action that will give our business owners clarity, and allow them to operate with less fear and look forward to working with this administration in my new role to continue fighting for our businesses.”

  

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND STAFFING SHORTAGES

 

 "Amid the ongoing pandemic, it's critical that students in our city have the ability to effectively learn in a safe environment. Many students, parents, teachers and staff are concerned that those standards may not be adequately met at this moment, as both the preliminary attendance numbers and anecdotal evidence across the city show. As we approach what may be the Omicron variant's peak, with increased hospitalizations across the state, questions of increased safety risk and educational effectiveness continue to be raised.

"As we push forward we must do so recognizing, responding, and adapting to the scale of the issue. We needed mandatory testing – which the city does have the authority to implement – prior to returning to classrooms, and we need it even more urgently now. Expanded vaccination efforts in schools are also essential.

"It’s crucial that we have all the tools we need to meet this surge. Prior to the winter break, the previous administration had refused to establish the infrastructure needed for a potential temporary remote shift or even a remote option, despite nearly two years of calls to at least have a plan in place. Now, the new administration needs to prepare immediately to have these measures available, and when the situation on the ground and in our classrooms calls for it, be unafraid to use them. We must continually remember that the results of whatever action we take will not be felt for days, and act accordingly to mitigate harm."

A Message from Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

 Dear Bronxites,

I want to wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy new year! Last week I took the oath of office to be your 14th Bronx Borough President.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were not able to celebrate together as a community, but stay tuned for an upcoming event in which we are able to gather and celebrate this historic election together.

In the coming weeks and months ahead, my team and I will put forth our blueprint and our vision for this great borough, prioritizing issues that we know matter to you and your family, such as education, higher education, economic development, food insecurity, healthcare, housing, job creation, public safety, supporting our small businesses, seniors, veterans and youth. 

I look forward to working with all of you and traveling to every corner of The Bronx over the next several weeks and months, discussing issues and priorities that matter to you and your family.

Stay tuned for our announcements and be sure to follow me on social media:

Facebook: BronxBP

Twitter: BronxBP

Instagram: BronxBPGibson

For now, during this new year, new season and new chapter, I say thank you for the opportunity to serve, I look forward to a fruitful and productive year.

Sincerely,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson