Page 4 - qt edition #39 SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

PAGE 4 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Con Edison Says Region is Warming Quickly as Meng Announces Nearly $2 Million

Climate Change Impacts Accelerate in Federal Grants For Nonprofits . . .

Update to 2019 Research Predicts on the measures it will have to The urban heat island effect adds (Continued from page 3) eryone, regardless of race, immi-
Faster Increase of Extreme Hot take to protect its equipment and to the challenge of extreme heat in gration status, or gender identity,
Temperatures customers in New York City and New York City. The rooftops and services, including the purchasing finds the support and solidarity
Westchester County from the ris- pavement that characterize city of technology, to reduce poverty they need, when they open the
Temperatures in the New York ing temperatures and other climate landscapes retain heat, meaning and create opportunities for eco- door to our organization.”
City region are rising quickly due change impacts. higher temperatures, particularly nomic advancement such as adult “For the past 13 years, the
to climate change, meaning Con While the 2019 study predicted at night. literacy, health access and legal mission at La Jornada has always
Edison must accelerate its invest- a dramatic increase in the number The higher night-time tem- services. In addition, the funding been to serve with compassion
ments to keep electric service of hot days, the new study accel- peratures result in air condition- will help buy tools to combat pov- New York City’s most vulner-
reliable and resilient for customers, erates the predicted timetable by ers working harder to cool homes erty for low-income immigrant able families, which sometimes
according to Con Edison’s 2023 a decade. and businesses. That means the communities throughout New includes the immigrant com-
Climate Change Vulnerability The first study forecast that by underground delivery equipment York City. munities that arrive to our great
Study. 2030 there would be 11 days a year does not cool off as much overnight “As New York’s senior mem- city. We have always been proud
The findings have significant when the temperature in Central during heat waves. ber of the House Appropriations to provide basic needs to these
implications for Con Edison’s Park exceeds 95 degrees, increas- Higher temperatures can Committee, a key part of my job is vulnerable groups, while also
electric delivery system because ing to 18 days by 2040 and 23 days decrease the capacity of cable, ensuring that federal agencies are working to empower them to help
heat and humidity drive up cus- a decade later. substation transformers and other properly funded so that they are them reach their full potential,”
tomers’ air conditioning needs, Climate change, which the equipment, meaning Con Edison able to assist non-profits which said Pedro Rodriguez, Executive
placing a strain on the company’s new study calls “an existential has to invest to replace that lost aim to serve their communities,” Director of La Jornada. “We thank
equipment. and multi-faceted threat around capacity. The heat can also cause said Meng. “The nearly $2 million Rep. Meng and her congressional
By 2030, New York City will the world,” will affect Con Edison the demand for power to exceed the that was awarded to La Jornada colleagues for working to secure
experience up to 17 days a year customers and equipment in other system’s capacity. and Make the Road will go a long funding for organizations like
with temperatures of 95 degrees ways, the company said. Con Edison recognizes that way to help ensure that the key ours that aim to uplift and enrich
or higher, the study projects, up • The risk of flooding, which disadvantaged communities have goals of both of these organiza- the New York community and
from four days a year historically. can damage underground electric fewer alternatives during outages, tions are reached.” similar communities around the
New Yorkers will experience up delivery equipment, will increase, meaning they suffer greater ef- “We’re deeply appreciative of country. We look forward to con-
to 27 such days by 2040 and up to as sea levels rise 16 inches by fects from flooding and heat. Con our House allies for supporting tinuing to work with Representa-
32 such days by 2050, according 2050 and New York experiences Edison will consider how climate our work to provide programs tive Meng to help secure future
to the study. five days a year with precipitation change affects these areas and and services for thousands of im- funding that will help advance
“This most recent study provides exceeding 2 inches. The historical incorporate that consideration into migrants and working-class New our mission.”
alarming evidence that climate norm is three days per year. its reliability and resiliency invest- Yorkers so that they can live with The funds were awarded by the
change will affect the lives of New • The annual maximum wind ment plans. respect and dignity,” said Theo Administration for Children and
Yorkers sooner and more severely speed in New York City could The company has been fortify- Oshiro, Co-Executive Director of Families, which is a part of the
than had previously thought,” said reach 60 miles per hour in 10 to ing its vast electric delivery system Make the Road New York. “We U.S. Department of Health and
Tim Cawley, the chairman and 15 years, compared to about 50 for years, but climate change is strive every day to ensure that ev- Human Services.
chief executive of Con Edison. miles per hour on a historical basis. prompting the company to acceler-
“That’s why Con Edison is think- Strong winds can knock trees and ate the planning and execution of Senator Gillibrand Announces
ing more boldly about ways to branches onto overhead delivery upgrades.
strengthen the reliability of our equipment, causing customers to The company invested $1 bil- $20 Million in Federal Funding
electric delivery system. We are lose power. lion in its energy systems over four
ushering in new sources of renew- • The risk of ice forming on years following Sandy. After two to Conserve And Build New Green
able energy and making sure that overhead power lines and trees will March 2018 storms caused severe Spaces in NYC
every New Yorker can share in increase. That impact can cause damage, the company invested an-
the benefits of a more sustainable outages. other $100 million in Westchester
grid.” • Hurricanes could be more County. The company’s analysis Federal Dollars Secured in the Reduction Act funding, which will
“This study shows Con Edison’s intense and more likely to track shows the investments since Sandy Inflation Reduction Act Will Help help combat extreme heat, create
commitment to staying abreast of toward the Northeast. have prevented more than a million Create Green Jobs, Plant New equitable access to green spaces,
the latest climate science and to In addition, Nor’easters and cold customer outages. Trees, and Maximize Green Spac- improve air quality, and better the
relying on leading experts,” said snaps could be less frequent, but While investing to fortify its es In Historically Disadvantaged overall quality of life in this great
Michael Gerrard, professor at more intense when they do occur. infrastructure, the company is Communities, Including Jackson city,” said Senator Gillibrand.
Columbia University Law School Torrential downpours could be leading the region’s transition to Heights, Elmhurst, Corona, and “This money will help bring new
and director of the Sabin Center more frequent and intense. a clean energy future. Con Edison Neighborhoods Throughout the life for New Yorkers to enjoy a
for Climate Change Law. “The Climate change is likely to drive works with customers to help them Bronx greener, healthier environment.”
company is taking a leading role stronger and more frequent storms complete rooftop solar projects, “Thank you to the Biden
among energy companies in mak- in the New York City region, bring- adopt heat pumps and reduce their U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Administration and our congres-
ing investments to ensure contin- ing heavier rainfall and coastal usage through efficiency. held a press conference at the sional delegation for providing
ued reliable service in the face of storm surge. Hurricane Ida in 2021 The company makes clear in its Central Park Arsenal announcing critical funding for our city’s
escalating climate change.” brought more than seven inches Clean Energy Commitment that it $20 million in federal funding to trees, some of the hardest working
Con Edison’s latest study uses of rainfall in Central Park and supports the environmental goals plant and maintain trees, combat trees in the nation,” says Deputy
climate change projections devel- resulted in flooding across the city. of New York City and State and is extreme heat and climate change, Mayor for Operations Meera
oped by Columbia University and Hurricane Sandy, the worst building a grid to carry 100 percent and expand access to green spaces Joshi. ”NYC trees are much more
the New York State Energy Re- storm in New York City’s recorded clean energy by 2040. in NYC. Senator Gillibrand helped than pretty foliage for our public
search and Development Author- history, caused floodwaters to Just in 2023, Con Edison has secure this funding in the Infla- spaces – they lower temperatures
ity. The study, which Con Edison overrun underground electric announced the completion of an tion Reduction Act (IRA), which and absorb storm water in the
produced with support from ICF delivery equipment, knocking out important transmission project in included $1.5 billion over the midst of increasingly oppressive
International, updates the projec- power on the East Side of Manhat- Queens, enabling the retirement of next 10 years for the U.S. Forest heat and torrential rains, they
tions in the company’s first-of-its- tan from 40th Street south and on an inefficient fossil fuel plant, and Service’s Urban and Community clean our air and they provide
kind 2019 study. the West Side from 30th Street the start of construction of a Clean Forestry program. The funding home to our wildlife, and the
Con Edison filed the study with south. Energy Hub in Brooklyn. Both will be distributed to the NYC essential work of planting and
the New York State Public Service But the most striking change in these projects will carry offshore Department of Parks and Recre- maintenance provides good green
Commission today. The company the latest Con Edison study is in wind power that the state is adding ation and The Bronx is Blooming. jobs for New Yorkers.”
later this year will file a report the predictions about heat. to its portfolio. Access to urban green spaces will “The parks of New York
help increase quality of life in are a jewel of our city,” said
Attorney General James, FTC, And Multistate Coalition New York by promoting clean air, Assemblymember Tony Simone.
Sue Amazon For Illegally Maintaining Monopoly Power cool neighborhoods, and health “New Yorkers rely on green
benefits. Senator Gillibrand was spaces for a breath of fresh air and
joined by NYC Deputy Mayor to get away from the hustle and
(Continued from page 2) perience by replacing relevant, ers that currently have no choice Meera Joshi, NYC Parks Commis- bustle of the city. The funds that
organic search results with paid but to rely on Amazon to stay in sioner Sue Donoghue, Executive Senator Gillibrand is announcing
Amazon. advertisements — and deliberate- business. These fees range from Director of New York Restoration today are an incredible investment
Amazon’s illegal, exclusion- ly increasing junk ads that worsen a monthly fee sellers must pay Project Lynn Kelly, and Executive in the park system and especially
ary conduct makes it impossible search quality and frustrate both for each item sold, to advertising Director of The Bronx is Bloom- in the underserved communities
for competitors to gain a foot- shoppers seeking products and fees that have become virtually ing Jennifer Beaugrand. who will be able to build careers
hold. With its amassed power sellers who are promised a return necessary for sellers to do busi- “Expanding access to trees in forestry as a result. Investments
across both the online superstore on their advertising purchase. ness. Combined, all of these fees and green spaces in New York like this will ensure New Yorkers
market and online marketplace • Favoring Amazon’s search re- force many sellers to pay close to and historically disadvantaged have access to green space in our
services market, Amazon extracts sults to preference Amazon’s own 50 percent of their total revenues communities throughout Queens city for years to come.”
enormous monopoly rents from products over ones that Amazon to Amazon. These fees harm not and the Bronx will give our com- “Our urban forest is vital to
everyone within its reach. This knows are of better quality. only sellers but also shoppers, munities a higher quality of life. New Yorkers, and we sincerely
includes: • Charging costly fees on the I’m so proud to deliver this $20
• Degrading the customer ex- hundreds of thousands of sell- (Continued on page 9) million investment in Inflation (Continued on page 10)