Community

Sustainability

Frame 19 (1)

Environmental Initiatives

The New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) is committed to ensuring public school buildings provide a safe learning environment for students.  

Overview

The SCA’s Industrial & Environmental Hygiene (IEH) Division works very closely with the SCA’s Architecture & Engineering (A&E) and Construction Management (CM) departments to provide guidance, management, and oversight related to environmental studies, investigations and remediation during construction and in existing schools. The services provided by IEH include work related to asbestos, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), indoor air quality surveys, mold, hazardous materials, underground storage tanks, potable water, and soil excavation/characterization and disposal. 

Environmental due diligence is also performed for all proposed new school sites and leased properties with the development of remedial measures or engineering controls necessary to render the site suitable for use as a school.

Arthur A Schomberg
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Environmental Due Diligence

As part of our Due Diligence process, SCA performs extensive studies and investigations to determine the environmental conditions of every site. These studies and investigations go well beyond the requirements of typical industry practices since we are charged with constructing schools that are environmentally safe. Further, we design and implement comprehensive remedial measures that will ensure a safe environment for the life of the school. Our level of care is what sets us apart from others:

  • The SCA never performs asbestos removal, lead paint removal or any other high-risk work in occupied school buildings
  • Environmental experts verify that asbestos, lead paint and other hazardous materials have been removed and that schools areas are safe
  • Our Brochure about Environmental Issues in Construction describes the protocols that the SCA follows to meet legally required standards and protect the school environment.

If you have any questions about environmental issues during construction, please email ERC.

Email ERC with Questions

Industrial & Environmental Hygiene

A major element of work performed by IEH HazMat includes the performance of environmental due diligence of properties and buildings to be used for school facilities. These include additions to existing schools, new acquisitions, new leases and lease renewals. The due diligence process is intended to identify environmental conditions that could have the potential to impact a site for a proposed, or for continued use, as a school facility. Environmental concerns that are identified through this process are addressed through remediation and/or the installation of engineering controls to render the site suitable for school use.

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EPA/NYC PCB Program

Currently the City of New York and the SCA, in agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is undertaking a PCB Pilot Program (Pilot) focused on addressing PCBs in NYC public schools.  The Pilot includes replacement of all PCB-containing lighting fixtures by the end of the 2016 calendar year.   Additionally, included under the Pilot is a comprehensive study evaluating the possible presence of PCBs in other building materials, and potential remedial alternatives.

The PCB pilot documents associated with this webpage are available for your information. For additional information please see the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Frequently Asked Questions on PCBs: NYC Department of Health PCB FAQ

If you are interested in joining the EPA/NYC PCB Program mailing list, please click on the following link: EPA/NYC PCB Program Mailing List Form.

Consent Agreement

RIWP Fact Sheets

Pilot Study Presentations

EPA Approved RIWP

EPA Approved IRIR

EPA Approved CPP

Pilot Study Test Results

PCB Light Fixture Replacement

EPA Approved BMP

Final RI Report

EPA/ NYC PCB Program Feedback Form

Complete the form below to provide feedback to the SCA related to the Pilot Program or to subscribe to Pilot Program updates. Note, you must check the "Subscribe to SCA/EPA Updates" to receive alerts when this site is updated.

EPA/PCB Feedback Form

State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Environmental Assessments

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