ESFPA E-News Volume 3 - Issue 1January 6, 2022A round-up of our interesting stories from the past week. Year End Climate Reports As we reported a few weeks ago, on December 20 the Climate Action Council voted to release the Draft Scoping Plan for public comment and review. Following edits from the Council members and staff, the approved Draft Scoping Plan was released on December 30th and is available online. A public comment form has also be posted on the website so readers can submit their comments in response to the plan, in addition to via email and U.S. mail to Attention: Draft Scoping Plan Comments, NYSERDA, 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203. The 120-day public comment period begins on January 1, which will also include at least six public hearings. More information about the public hearings and other meetings will be forthcoming. The public input will be used to help develop the Final Scoping Plan, which will be released by January 1, 2023. Also released last week was New York State’s Disadvantaged Communities Barriers and Opportunities Report, the Just Transition Working Group’s Jobs Study, and DEC’s 2021 Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report. The Draft Scoping Plan and New York State’s Disadvantaged Communities Barriers and Opportunities Report have now been submitted to the Governor and the Legislature as required pursuant to the Climate Act. In addition, the Climate Justice Working Group voted to release its draft criteria and definition of disadvantaged communities during its meeting on December 13. The draft list of disadvantaged communities and identifying criteria will be released to the public in January and posted online for a 120-day public comment period, including at least six public hearings, to gain feedback and input to help develop the final definition. Criteria and methods for identifying disadvantaged communities will be reviewed annually ensuring climate justice remains a priority by targeting emissions reductions and clean energy and energy efficiency investments in these critical areas and among low-income households. These reports were also highlighted within a press release You can find a summary (albeit somewhat long) of the draft Scoping Plan here. ESFPA will also be preparing a comprehensive set of comments on the draft Scoping Plan and related documents so please share with us any specific concerns you may have. Please help us amplify our message and complete our Action Alerts as they come out and encourage your peers and employees to provide input and participation around the Draft Scoping Plan, New York State’s Disadvantaged Communities Barriers and Opportunities Report, the disadvantaged communities criteria and definition, as well as our attending the upcoming hearings and events. There is not a facet of your business, your home or your personal life that will not be impacted by this emerging climate program, policy and regulation. Stay tuned and we will help you understand and navigate what all this means and how our forests and wood product businesses, manufacturing and supply chains will benefit and be impacted. Governor Hochul 2022 State of the State Address Governor Kathy Hochul presented her first State of the State outlining her plan for a New Era for New York. Governor Hochul outlined nine key components of her agenda: rebuilding our healthcare economy, protecting public safety and addressing gun violence, investing in New York's people, investing in New York's communities, making New York's housing system more affordable, equitable, and stable, making New York a national leader in climate action and green jobs, rebuilding New York's teacher workforce and reimagining higher education, advancing New York's place as a national equity model, and making critical reforms to restore New Yorkers' faith in their government. The message included 228 proposals of which details for many will not be available until she releases her Budget Proposal on January 19th. You can find a summary of the issues pertinent to our industry here. NY SAF Cancels Annual Meeting In a recent announcement, the NYSAF planning team stated that due to current circumstances regarding the Omicron variant in New York State they have been compelled to cancel the annual NYSAF meeting scheduled for January 26-28, 2022.
PBS Newshour Highlights Lumber Cost Fluctuations In an 8 minute video, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) highlighted the ups and downs of the softwood lumber prices over the past few years. Beckerle Lumber, which runs several independent retail lumber and building materials yards in the Rockland County Hudson Valley region is highlighted. To view the clip, please follow this link. Forest Health Strike Team Forestry Technician position available in Avon NY (near Rochester) DEC Division of Lands & Forests, Forest Health is hiring a year-round forestry technician to join our statewide forest health strike team. The position will be based in Avon NY (near Rochester) and will include travel during the fall and winter. The forestry technician position’s duties involve fieldwork throughout NY on both public and private lands; mapping infestations, collecting site information, surveying for plants/pests and implementing control of giant hogweed, kudzu, southern pine beetle, hemlock wooly adelgid and other target species. This position will move between control programs based on the seasonality of treatment for each species. Appropriate safety equipment and safety training will be provided at the outset of employment. The application deadline is 1/18/22. For more information about the position and how to apply click here. DEC Commissioner Seggos Announces New Leadership AppointmentsNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos this week announced five key appointments to leadership positions at the agency. According to the Agency's press release, "These dedicated and talented professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team that will bolster our ability to meet DEC's mission at a critical moment for environmental protection in New York State and the nation," Commissioner Seggos said. "With Governor Kathy Hochul's leadership and a strong team at DEC, we will work together to safeguard New York's environment from challenges both new and known and further advance our efforts to mitigate climate change. Sean Mahar has been named DEC's Executive Deputy Commissioner. Dereth Glance has been named Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Remediation and Materials Management. Adriana Espinoza will join DEC as the agency's first Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice. Cathy Haas has been named Acting Regional Director for DEC's Region 1, which encompasses Long Island. Robert Calarco has been named Assistant Regional Director for Region 1. To read the full press release, please follow this link.
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