ESFPA E-News

Sign Up for ESFPA June Dinner

On June 14th, the day prior to the ESFPA Board Meeting, we are welcoming our members and their guests to join us for an evening social hour and dinner at the Holiday Valley Lodge in Ellicottville, NY. 

Our guest speakers will be New York Senator George Borrello and Baillie Lumber President Jeff Meyer. The itinerary for the evening is as follows:

• 5:00 p.m. -Social Hour at the Holiday Valley Lodge Sunrise Banquet Room
• 6:00 p.m.- Welcome from NY Senator George Borello and remarks on the 2023 legislative session 
• 6:30 p.m.- Buffet Dinner
• 7:30 p.m.- Remarks from Baillie Lumber President Jeff Meyer about the state of the hardwood industry. 

This event will be a great opportunity for learning and networking with top industry professionals and the Board of ESFPA. If you are interested in attending this event, please call ESFPA at (518) 463-1297, the deadline for event attendance is June 1st. Rooms will be available through Holiday Valley Lodge until May 14th; to book a room call (716) 699-2345.

The fee is $20 per person, and we would like to thank our sponsors for all their support, without which this would not have been possible: Cotton Hanlon, Wagner Group, Farm Credit East, Keister Consulting, and Gutchess Lumber. 

Feel free to send this invitation to your employees and peers. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Forests in the Farm Coalition Release Priorities

The Forests in the Farm Bill (FIFB) coalition released its priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill. FRA, along with other associations, worked to develop the FIFB priorities over the last year. The collation consists of more than 70 forestry and conservation organizations focusing on improving the Farm Bill forestry sections. 
 
Recommendations include:

• Establishing regional forest industry workforce training hubs to support rural forest-based economies
• Expansion of wood innovation grants
• Improving the Forest Inventory and Analysis program
• Enhancing the Good Neighbor Authority to expand the ability of the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to partner with states, tribes, and counties on federal forest restoration and management projects

DEC and NYSERDA Announce Stakeholder Information Sessions on Development of Economywide Cap-and-Invest Program to Reduce Climate Pollution

Sessions Advance New York State's Efforts to Meet Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Requirements under Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have announced the first in a series of stakeholder information sessions on the development of the State's economywide Cap-and-Invest Program to reduce the pollution driving climate change. The Cap-and-Invest Program was recommended by the Climate Action Council's final Scoping Plan and was proposed in Governor Kathy Hochul's 2023 State of the State Address and Executive Budget. DEC and NYSERDA are developing the program to meet the greenhouse gas emission reduction and equity requirements under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act).

The first phase of pre-proposal webinars, scheduled throughout June, will provide an overview of New York's potential program and similar programs designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in other states and jurisdictions. The webinars will present an opportunity for key stakeholders and the public to provide feedback on program design features. In addition, the presentation will include a link to a webpage where stakeholders can access the outline and questions and provide comments. All stakeholder input will be considered by staff as part of the program development.

These webinars will focus on obtaining input regarding anticipated program design details such as applicability and thresholds, allowance allocation and auction, stability mechanisms, compliance and enforcement, and reporting and verification. A second round of pre-proposal stakeholder outreach is expected to be held later this year.

For a full list of scheduled webinars, please see below. Recordings of the webinars will be posted online following the meetings. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available at the New York Cap-and-Invest website.

• June 1, 1 to 3 p.m. - Cap-and-Invest Overview
• June 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Natural Gas-focused webinar
• June 8, 1 to 3 p.m. - Liquid Fuels-focused webinar
• June 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Energy Intensive and Trade Exposed Industries-focused webinar
• June 15, 1 to 3 p.m. - Waste-focused webinar
• June 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Cap-and-Invest Analysis Inputs and Methods
• June 22, 1 to 3 p.m. - Electricity-focused webinar

In addition to these scheduled webinars, DEC and NYSERDA will continue to engage with various stakeholders regarding the development of the program, including around labor, equity, disadvantaged communities, and other key issues.

For more information about New York's climate efforts, visit the Climate Act website.

Senate Votes to Rescind Bat Rule

On May 11, the Senate narrowly approved two measures that would overturn new ESA regulations on the Northern Long-Eared Bat (NLEB) under the Congressional Review Act.  The first measure overturned the repeal of the Trump Administration’s definition of what qualifies as a protected habitat whereas the second measure rescinded the November 2022 reclassification of the NLEB as “endangered” rather than “threatened.”  Although the House may take similar action on the NLEB, President Biden has already promised to veto the legislation that would reverse his Administration’s ESA policies.    

DEC Announces 'Regenerate NY' Forestry Cost Share Grants

$850,000 in Grants Now Available for Eligible Private Forest Landowners

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos has announced that $850,000 in funding is now available in the third round of the State's 'Regenerate NY' Forestry Cost Share Grant Program. The grant program is designed to assist private landowners in growing the next generation of forests, which are crucial for mitigating climate change, providing wildlife habitat, protecting air and water quality, and supplying an important renewable resource.

Regenerate NY is funded by New York State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and managed by DEC's Division of Lands and Forests. Private landowners planning to restore or establish five or more acres of forest land in New York State, may apply for grant awards ranging from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $100,000, with a required 25 percent match. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, planting trees, soil scarification, removing competing vegetation that would interfere with seedling establishment and growth, and installation of deer fence. Applicants must work with a forester or a qualified natural resource professional to develop their project. Up to two applications may be submitted per applicant, provided the applications are for separate properties.

"Investing in our forests is one of the most cost-effective natural solutions to climate change," said John Bartow, Executive Director of the Empire State Forest Products Association. "Regenerate NY is funding efforts that will help ensure our forests continue to support New York's rural economy, protect our water and air quality, and provide carbon stewardship, for generations to come."

Applications can be submitted through the NYS Grants Gateway and will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2023, or until funds are depleted, whichever comes first. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis. Applicants need to establish an account in the Grants Gateway System. Once registered, applicants can search the Grants Gateway for "Regenerate NY." DEC is holding a webinar for interested applicants on Wednesday, May 24, at 10 a.m. For instructions on how to access the webinar via phone or computer, or for details about the grant opportunity including application criteria, visit DEC's website.