Statement from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton

New York's air is cleaner than it has been in decades, driven largely by the State's strong environmental laws and regulations. In the last 20 years alone, we have made big reductions in air pollution from the state's largest facilities, like particulate matter (90%), sulfur dioxide (98%), nitrogen oxides (84%), and hazardous air pollutants (72%), improving air quality in communities statewide, particularly those that bear the brunt of environmental pollution. Prioritizing environmental justice by protecting those communities and tackling climate change through initiatives like the Climate Superfund is crucial. New York State is committed to safeguarding its clean air and water and we will vigorously defend our constitutional authority to build on our progress.