Construction Safety Week: May 6–10, 2024 Next week is Construction Safety Week. This event was started in 2014 with the purpose of encouraging construction companies to reflect on and recommit to their safety practices. The ultimate goal is zero accidents or incidents on every job site. The theme of this year’s Construction Safety Week is “value every voice.” All workers on a construction project, no matter their role, need to know their responsibilities and be accountable for the part they play in contributing to that project’s safety. This theme also emphasizes the importance of the opinio ..read more

NYS Disadvantaged Community and Environmental Justice Requirements New York State passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, Chapter 106 of the Laws of 2019 (CLCPA or Climate Act). Portions of this law were written to directly address the impact that climate change is having on what is described as disadvantaged communities (DACs). Because studies have shown that DACs are disproportionately affected by climate change, New York’s Governor made sure that through equitable distribution of grant funding and tax credits to address climate change, those communities would receive t ..read more

The Advantages of Outsourcing Environmental Health and Safety: Streamlining Compliance and Efficiency Can you afford to outsource EHS services for your company? The more accurate question is, how can you afford not to? Outsourcing EHS services does not mean ceding control of the process to an outside entity. Far from it. Rather, it means hiring experts to augment your in-house capabilities and help your organization achieve zero incidents, accidents, or recordables. Employee morale, reduced insurance costs, and public perception are some concerns that are tied to your company’s safety perform ..read more

Walden Helps Municipalities Develop Staffing and Retention Plans for NYS Asset Management Program NYS Asset Management Program for Publicly Owned Utility Systems Walden recently started work on an Asset Management Plan (AMP) for the Town of Ulster, NY. To learn more about what an AMP is, and how Walden is working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (NYSEFC) to further develop AMP programs in New York, see Walden’s blog from October 2022 on the topic. We have described the asset inventory and cond ..read more

EPA’s New Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Regulations Background For many decades, Americans have unknowingly been exposed to toxic chemicals, including those called “forever chemicals,” like per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with no oversight from the government. These chemicals are known to have a negative impact on the liver, heart, and immune system and cause developmental damage in infants and children. They have also been linked to many deadly cancers. On April 10, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first national and enforcea ..read more

How Will CLCPA Requirements Pertaining to Disadvantaged Communities Impact Solid Waste Management Facilities? Part 1 New York State passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, Chapter 106 of the Laws of 2019 (CLCPA or Climate Act). This law is intended to significantly reduce the impact of New York State on climate change and to ensure these changes do not negatively impact disadvantaged communities (DACs). Below is the important text of the DAC portion of the CLCPA with regard to solid waste management facilities: CLCPA – Chapter 7 § 7. Climate change actions by state agenci ..read more

Navigating Connecticut’s EHS Regulatory Landscape: What Businesses Need to Know Connecticut is known for having a robust regulatory landscape when it comes to environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations. This blog aims to provide businesses with a breakdown of the specific environmental and safety regulations in the state, offering guidance on how they can align their practices to those standards.   Environmental Regulations: Hazardous Waste Management: Connecticut has strict regulations for the management and disposal of hazardous waste. Businesses need to understand the class ..read more

NYSDEC Proposes Amendments to Rule 6 NYCRR Part 490: Projected Sea Level Rise In 2014, the Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA) added a new section to the New York State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) that required the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to adopt science-based sea level rise projections. DEC is proposing some amendments to 6 NYCRR Part 490, which was adopted in 2017 to provide updated science-based projections of future sea level rise. The coastal tidal rise estimations are made for the state’s three distinct coastal regions: Mid-Hudson, New York City/Lo ..read more

Public Comment Period Open to Address Eligibility Guidelines for Grants for Water Quality Improvement Projects The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has opened a public review and comment period regarding eligibility guidelines for Water Quality Improvement Projects and Program Grants for Municipal Stormwater Projects. The comment period is open through April 19, 2024. These guidelines are designed to support projects funded through the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program, which is administered under the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs ..read more

New York City Energy Benchmarking Reporting due May 1, 2024 In 2009, the City of New York (NYC) passed Local Law 84 (LL84), which places a crucial responsibility on owners of buildings that meet certain criteria established with the passage of the law. They are required to report annually by May 1 of each year on their property’s energy and water use from the previous calendar year. The information presented in each report is not just a formality, but a vital tool used by NYC to evaluate trends that will be considered in future-facing energy efficiency policies and programs. Your role as a b ..read more