N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 48-0111: Environmental justice interagency coordinating council

§ 48-0111. Environmental justice interagency coordinating council.

1. There is hereby established an environmental justice interagency

coordinating council which shall have the power and duty to:

(a) coordinate the activities of agencies required to adopt an

environmental justice policy pursuant to section 48-0109 of this article

in development and implementation of such policies; and

(b) serve as a clearinghouse for state agencies and the public for

information on environmental justice policies, environmental justice

coordinators in state agencies and related activities of state agencies,

and maintain information services, including but not limited to an

Internet site and a toll-free telephone number, to inform the public on

environmental justice.

2. The environmental justice coordinating council shall include the

commissioner; the commissioner of the department of economic

development; the commissioner of the department of transportation; the

president of the environmental facilities corporation; the president of

the New York State energy research and development authority; the

chairman of the public service commission; the chairman of the power

authority of the State of New York; or their designees; and every staff

member chosen by an agency to serve as environmental justice coordinator

pursuant to section 48-0109 of this article. The council shall consult

with the permanent environmental justice advisory group; representatives

of minority and low-income communities, including community-based

organizations that advise or assist minority and low-income communities

on environmental matters; representatives of businesses that hold

state-issued permits or otherwise operate subject to this chapter;

representatives of local governments; representatives of local, state,

or national organizations promoting environmental conservation;

researchers and educators; and any other parties the council deems

appropriate.

3. The coordinating council shall meet at least bi-annually and shall

designate one of its members to serve as chairperson and one of its

members to serve as secretary for the development and dissemination of

minutes and reports. All such meetings shall be subject to the open

meetings law. At least one meeting annually shall be held jointly with

the permanent environmental justice advisory group established pursuant

to section 48-0105 of this article. Each member shall be entitled to

designate in writing a representative to attend meetings in his or her

place and to vote or otherwise act on his or her behalf in his or her

absence.