Environmental Justice
What Environmental Justice Means at NYPA
NYPA’s Environmental Justice (EJ) program is driven by our commitment to always be a good neighbor to the historically disadvantaged and marginalized communities located near our statewide facilities and assets. Community collaboration and engagement are the hallmarks of NYPA’s EJ program. NYPA leverages its expertise in energy and energy technology to provide meaningful programs and services that meet the unique needs of our communities.
Our supplemental STEM education program is designed to improve the academic performance of K-12 students who attend under-resourced schools in EJ communities. Our goal is to help level the playing field by providing age-appropriate, energy related education so students are better equipped to compete academically and professionally. Our STEM program focuses on basic electricity, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and the effects of climate change. NYPA’s energy educators bring STEM programs into classrooms and community centers statewide.
NEW ONLINE CURRICULUM!
NYPA is also putting the power of learning into the hands of our communities by providing educators and students with online curriculum, activities, and guidebooks for energy and zero emissions vehicles education. Lessons are designed to meet the academic challenges specific to elementary, middle, and high school students. To access teaching materials, see below.
Elementary Students and Educators
Electricity Basics:
Zero Emissions Vehicles:
Middle School Students and Educators
Electricity Basics:
Zero Emissions Vehicles:
High School Students and Educators
Electricity Basics:
Zero Emissions Vehicles:
If you would like to learn more about our programs, please contact us at Environmental.Justice@nypa.gov.
According to the U.S. Census (2011–2016), the national average energy bill for low-income households is 8.6%—3 times higher than for non-low-income households. NYPA’s Energy Education and Weatherization Workshops help alleviate some of this burden by teaching low-income homeowners and renters simple and no-cost ways they can conserve energy and lower utility costs without compromising comfort or safety.
You’ll find NYPA’s Environmental Justice staff working side by side with our neighbors at community fairs, neighborhood beautification projects, and back- to school events across the State. In 2019, NYPA sponsored its first Having Fun with STEM Day! for the 200 families living in Massena Housing Authority homes.
These opportunities help us develop a deeper, one-on-one understanding of the concerns and challenges of the families and residents who live in EJ communities.
NYPA recognizes the need to include all marginalized communities in the benefits that accrue from a clean energy economy. A critical part of our Environmental Justice mission is to act as the internal voice of the community to ensure that an Environmental Justice lens is applied to all of NYPA’s strategic planning efforts and operations.
Environmental Justice communities often lack the funding to implement energy efficient technology that can improve quality of life. NYPA’s Environmental Justice staff work with our partners to identify opportunities for us to help. We are engaged in ongoing planning for long-term energy services projects that are provided at no cost to our communities.
Environmental Justice at NYPA
Being Good Environmental Stewards, Being Responsive to Community Needs
Almost 100 NYPA volunteers joined Environmental Justice staff in packing 2,000 bags of food for school children and seniors facing hunger to be distributed by our community partner, Feeding Westchester. The Environmental Justice team coordinated the event in celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor his legacy of social justice for all marginalized people.
Almost 100 NYPA volunteers joined Environmental Justice staff in packing 2,000 bags of food for school children and seniors facing hunger to be distributed by our community partner, Feeding Westchester. The Environmental Justice team coordinated the event in celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor his legacy of social justice for all marginalized people.
Almost 100 NYPA volunteers joined Environmental Justice staff in packing 2,000 bags of food for school children and seniors facing hunger to be distributed by our community partner, Feeding Westchester. The Environmental Justice team coordinated the event in celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor his legacy of social justice for all marginalized people.
Almost 100 NYPA volunteers joined Environmental Justice staff in packing 2,000 bags of food for school children and seniors facing hunger to be distributed by our community partner, Feeding Westchester. The Environmental Justice team coordinated the event in celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor his legacy of social justice for all marginalized people.
Almost 100 NYPA volunteers joined Environmental Justice staff in packing 2,000 bags of food for school children and seniors facing hunger to be distributed by our community partner, Feeding Westchester. The Environmental Justice team coordinated the event in celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor his legacy of social justice for all marginalized people.
Almost 100 NYPA volunteers joined Environmental Justice staff in packing 2,000 bags of food for school children and seniors facing hunger to be distributed by our community partner, Feeding Westchester. The Environmental Justice team coordinated the event in celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor his legacy of social justice for all marginalized people.
Almost 100 NYPA volunteers joined Environmental Justice staff in packing 2,000 bags of food for school children and seniors facing hunger to be distributed by our community partner, Feeding Westchester. The Environmental Justice team coordinated the event in celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor his legacy of social justice for all marginalized people.