Objective

To determine the extent of implementation of the four recommendations included in our initial audit report, Monitoring of Air Quality (Facility Permits and Registrations) (Report 2021-S-41).

About the Program

Air pollution damages human health and the environment in a variety of ways. It can make breathing difficult, cause cancer, and contribute to other serious health effects. Fish and wildlife show harmful effects from acid rain and mercury in the air. Also, greenhouse gases (chiefly carbon dioxide) in the air are changing the world’s climate. Sources of air pollution range from large sources, such as chemical plants and electricity-generating facilities, to smaller sources, like dry cleaners and paint spray booths.

The mission of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is to conserve, improve, and protect the State’s natural resources and environment. DEC issues air pollution control permits and registrations in accordance with its federally approved Air Pollution Control Permitting Program (Program) under Title 6, Part 201, of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (Regulation). The Regulation, along with the Uniform Procedures Act (Article 70 of the Environmental Conservation Law) and its implementing regulations, contains the requirements that certain facilities that generate air pollution, and DEC, must follow for air permit application and permitting processes.

The objective of our initial audit, issued on September 20, 2023, was to determine whether DEC was taking necessary action to adequately enforce certain aspects of the State’s air contamination and pollution requirements to protect the public and environment from the adverse effects of exposure to pollutants. The audit covered permit and registration data from January 2020 through April 2022 and DEC activities related to these permits and registrations through February 2023. The audit found weaknesses in several aspects of DEC’s oversight of the Program—namely, implementation of the Policy and monitoring of permitted and registered facilities—that undermine its ability to ensure compliance with the Program and protect the State’s air from harmful pollutants.

Key Finding

DEC made progress in addressing the issues we identified in the initial audit report. Of the four audit recommendations in the initial report, two were implemented, and two were partially implemented.

Key Recommendation

DEC is requested, but not required, to provide information about any actions planned to address the unresolved issues discussed in this follow-up within 30 days of the report’s issuance.