New York State Energy Research and Development Authority announces $10 million for carbon emissions reduction projects
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) recently announced $10 million in funding is available for projects that aim to reduce carbon emissions at commercial and industrial buildings in the state.
The funds are being made available through the Commercial and Industrial Carbon Challenge, a pilot program that is testing whether flexible funding for clean energy projects can be more effective than traditional state-supported programs. The Carbon Challenge supports Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent.
The initiative will provide awards of $2 million to $5 million to partially offset the development costs of projects that implement carbon-reducing clean energy actions in buildings with an aggregate 12-month average demand of 10 megawatts or more. Projects could include energy efficiency or distributed energy resources that help commercial and industrial customers to achieve carbon emissions reductions.
“This Carbon Challenge provides greater flexibility in funding to commercial and industrial building owners who want to adopt clean energy actions to drive greater efficiency throughout their buildings and in turn reduce their energy costs,” Alicia Barton, president and CEO of NYSERDA, said. “The State’s building stock is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and this Challenge underscores the State’s work with these consumers to address climate change and support the Governor’s ambitious energy goals.”
Proposals for the initiative must identify a three-year carbon emissions reduction target and a plan for achieving that target. Interested parties must submit proposals by July 10. Funding is provided through the State’s 10-year, $5.3 billion Clean Energy Fund.
Commercial and industrial buildings account for 33 percent of the energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in New York State, according to NYSERDA.
