Governor Hochul Announces New Statewide Community Air Monitoring Initiative, First of Its Kind in US

September 22, 2021

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a historic, new effort to monitor air quality in disadvantaged communities across the state and use the data collected to develop strategies to reduce pollution in these communities, including the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. This statewide community air monitoring effort is the largest ever undertaken in the United States.

The State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will oversee the statewide effort, which will help to ensure that all New Yorkers benefit from the State's greenhouse gas reduction strategies under its landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Announced during Climate Week 2021, the air monitoring effort supports New York's ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050.

"Our most economically disadvantaged communities have also been hit the hardest by the harmful effects of pollution and climate change,"

Governor Hochul said.

"With this new initiative, we are deploying the latest state-of-the-art technology to examine the air quality in communities across New York State, and working with experts to determine the best solutions to reduce pollution to correct this injustice that has overburdened vulnerable parts of our state for far too long."

In consultation with the State's Climate Justice Working Group and community leaders, DEC and NYSERDA will identify 10 areas to deploy hyperlocal monitoring technology to collect air quality data. Locations will include multiple disadvantaged communities both upstate and downstate.

With this new initiative, we are deploying the latest state-of-the-art technology to examine the air quality in communities across New York State.

The Community Air Monitoring Capacity Building grants will be supported by the State's Environmental Protection Fund. The EPF has grown from its original appropriation of $31 million in fiscal year 1994-1995 to $300 million.

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New York Pressroom

September 21, 2021