The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced $1 million in grant funding for two projects aimed at reducing air pollution and exposure in disadvantaged and environmental justice communities. The grants are part of DEC’s Air Pollution Mitigation program, which supports the Statewide Community Air Monitoring (CAM) initiative to identify sources of air pollution and develop mitigation strategies with community input.
Commissioner Amanda Lefton stated, “Reducing the impacts of air pollution and vehicle emissions is vital to the long-term health and well-being of New Yorkers living in disadvantaged and environmental justice communities. DEC’s Air Pollution Mitigation grant program builds on the successful Community Air Monitoring initiative to identify sources of pollution in partnership with community stakeholders. Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, DEC remains committed to this transformational work and looks forward to the results of the New Rochelle and Buffalo projects.”
The two funded projects focus on areas experiencing higher levels of air pollution as well as negative effects from noise and odors due to an uneven distribution of pollution sources:
– The Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network will receive $500,000 for a project that aims to improve indoor air quality and maternal health by providing cost-effective air filtration devices along with community education efforts. This initiative targets African American and Hispanic women and their newborns in Buffalo’s disadvantaged neighborhoods.
– The Energy Justice Law and Policy Center will also receive $500,000 for its Clean Air New Rochelle project. In collaboration with the city of New Rochelle, this effort will monitor air quality within The LINC corridor—a high-traffic area undergoing a $45 million infrastructure improvement designed to restore street connections, enhance traffic flow, add green infrastructure, and create public spaces. The project involves engaging local residents in monitoring efforts while evaluating strategies such as traffic rerouting, tree planting, and vegetative barriers near busy roads.
Luanne Brown, CEO of Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network Inc., said: “Pregnancy is a critical window when environmental stressors like air pollution can have profound impacts on both mother and child, something that often bears a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged communities like Buffalo. With support from Governor Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and in collaboration with our partners, Dr. Lina Mu and Meng Wang, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, hundreds of pregnant women will receive a low-cost air purifier to reduce household air pollution. This community-based intervention program will help reduce maternal complications, improve birth outcomes, and provide long-term benefits for child development.”
Raya Salter, founder and Executive Director of Energy Justice Law and Policy Center added: “This grant allows us to pair cutting edge air-monitoring with community leadership. By tracking the real impacts of mitigation projects in New Rochelle’s frontline communities, we’re building a model for municipal, community-driven air-pollution solutions and, with the DEC, advancing the Climate Act.”
Residents frequently contact DEC about concerns regarding local air quality. To address these issues more effectively across New York State’s most affected areas—ten disadvantaged communities—the agency completed data collection for its Community Air Monitoring Initiative in August 2024. This effort produced interactive story maps showing mobile monitoring results alongside locations such as schools or public housing where sensitive populations live.
As part of ongoing efforts under CAM initiatives—and working closely with local groups—DEC continues gathering feedback on how best to reduce emissions contributing both to poor local conditions as well as climate change statewide. A report compiling recommendations from these consultations is expected early next year.
DEC plans further collaboration through consultation with its Climate Justice Working Group as it oversees future phases aimed at developing broad mitigation strategies based on community input.
New York State’s broader climate agenda seeks an affordable transition toward clean energy while ensuring economic growth through green investments; it mandates that at least 35 percent of benefits reach disadvantaged communities by 2050 through changes across energy production systems along with buildings transportation waste management sectors.
