New York State gets $24M DOE grant to enhance grid

The State of New York received nearly $24 million in federal funding to strengthen and modernize its electric grid to reduce the impacts of extreme weather and natural disasters.

The Grid Resilience and Tribal Formula Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will provide support for state to enhance the power sector infrastructure and provide access to clean electricity.

“As we’ve seen, the severity of extreme weather events is not slowing down and requires ongoing preparation and the buildout of our infrastructure to minimize the impacts of climate change on communities,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “This funding underscores the benefits that New York’s productive partnership with the federal government continues to bring to the state and will help us modernize our electric grid and its associated infrastructure as part of future powered by clean energy.”

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will administer the grant funds over a two-year period with the opportunity to apply for three additional years.

In the first quarter of 2024, NYSERDA plans to launch a competitive selection process. The focus will be on the following areas:

• Storm Hardening: improving the resilience of the electric grid against disruptive events such as power outages due to storms that impact critical operations;
• Predictive Analytics: development of advanced data and metrics to detect electric system conditions before they become issues to support system reliability and resiliency;
• Climate Justice: reducing carbon emissions to ensure benefits of investments flow to communities that are underserved, marginalized and overburdened by pollution;
• Energy Affordability: deploying tools and technologies and ensuring optimized utilization of resources and electricity grid assets to reduce total system costs and address the burden of inadequate electricity distribution infrastructure; and
• Job Creation: increasing access to NYSERDA’s comprehensive workforce development portfolio of services for skilled clean energy workers.

“NYSERDA is pleased to implement this federal grid resilience grant that will provide an infusion of much-needed funding for critical grid infrastructure upgrades, helping offset the costs to New Yorkers while reducing instances of electricity disruption for consumers. Through this funding, we look forward to supporting projects that advance the transition to a zero-emission electric grid, update current systems, and reduce emissions by bringing clean energy to communities across the state, including those traditionally overburdened by pollution,” NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris said.

New York is one of nine states and five tribal nations that received the DOE grant money.

“Winter is coming for New York State, and New Yorkers know all too well how powerful storms can knock out electricity and put communities at risk. This major nearly $24 million federal investment will help strengthen and modernize our state’s electric grid to become more resilient in the face of extreme weather, all while creating jobs and increasing access to affordable and clean electricity. Our Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law is powering a brighter, stronger electrical grid for New York, lowering costs for families and creating good-paying, clean-energy jobs,” Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) said.