Plan Sets 25 Ambitious Goals to Help Ensure DEC is Leading
by Example
Upcoming Decarbonization Projects at DEC
Facilities Statewide Demonstrate Versatility of Heat Pump Technology
New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos
today announced the release of the agency's first-ever sustainability
plan, which includes commitments to decarbonize operations and help
ensure DEC reduces its impact on the environment. Covering the period
from 2023 to 2028, the plan (PDF) identifies 25 goals
and 70 actions DEC will take, including reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, decreasing waste generation, increasing investments in green
products and services, conserving water, protecting species and habitat,
reducing toxics, engaging employees, and supporting outreach and
education. The plan also outlines how DEC will comply with Governor Kathy
Hochul's recently signed Executive Order 22.
"I'm extremely proud that day in and day out, the hardworking
employees of DEC lead by example and work to make the agency's operations
more sustainable," said
Commissioner Seggos. "This
new plan represents a roadmap for accelerating our progress as we work
towards meeting New York's ambitious climate and environmental
goals."
Highlights of the plan include DEC's commitment to:
·
carbon neutral operations by 2050;
·
100 percent renewable electricity use for
operations by 2030;
·
100 percent zero-emission light-duty
non-emergency fleet by 2035;
·
100 percent zero-emission medium- and
heavy-duty fleet by 2040;
·
decrease percentage of employees
commuting to worksites alone in a fossil fuel-powered vehicle to under 50
percent by 2028;
·
eliminate single-use plastics in
operations by 2025;
·
decrease waste generation 10 percent by 2028;
·
all staff trained
on sustainability goals and practices by end of 2023.
The plan represents a
transparent way of showing all stakeholders how DEC is leading by
example. DEC also encourages other organizations in the public and
private sectors to create their own sustainability plans to guide
progress in their journey to more sustainable operations.
In addition, DEC announced several new building electrification
and decarbonization projects being planned at its facilities across the
state, including:
·
Cape Vincent Research Station;
·
Cleveland Law Enforcement Academy;
·
Cortland suboffice;
·
Godfrey Point sign shop;
·
Green Island maintenance center;
·
Mount Loretto maintenance center;
·
New Paltz regional office;
·
Northville suboffice; and
·
Ray Brook regional office.
DEC plans to install heat
pumps at these facilities to remove fossil fuel-combusting equipment,
upgrade outdated equipment, and enhance occupant and visitor comfort.
Electric powered heat pumps provide efficient heating and cooling by
taking heat and cold from the environment and moving it indoors to heat
the building or outside to cool it. When powered by renewable energy,
they provide a zero-emission heating and cooling solution. The wide
variety of geographies and types of facilities where DEC is installing
heat pumps demonstrate their capability to decarbonize buildings
throughout the state.
In addition, DEC is beginning an electric vehicle charging station
installation program that will ultimately install 1,400 chargers for DEC's
fleet. These installations will take place at more than 70 locations
throughout the state and help ensure DEC is able to meet its commitment
to electrify its light-duty fleet by 2035.
New Yorker's can learn more and read the plan (PDF) on DEC's
website.
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