Grants Help Advance State’s Climate Action with Support for Local Projects to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Increase Storm Resilience

Governor Kathy Hochul on July 23rd, announced more than $7.3 million to municipalities across the state as part of New York State’s Climate Smart Communities grant program. The projects help New York advance the emission-reduction targets under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and support local projects to reduce flood risk, increase resilience, and improve critical infrastructure.

“New Yorkers are all too familiar with the increased frequency of severe weather events caused by climate change, and I commend the work of these local communities to reduce emissions and address the crisis head on,” Governor Hochul said. “These climate smart investments help municipalities across the state build stronger and more resilient communities while helping to ensure the health and safety of residents, providing green jobs, and protecting the environment for years to come.”

Established in 2016, the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Climate Smart Communities (CSC) grant program supports municipalities seeking to implement climate change adaptation and greenhouse gas mitigation projects, as well as undertake certain actions toward becoming certified Climate Smart Communities. The grant program for municipal climate action supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), which requires New York to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Since the program’s inception, DEC has awarded more than $69 million to municipalities in support of local climate mitigation and adaptation projects. More information about the grant program can be found here.

Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “Municipalities that participate in the Climate Smart Communities program are models of local climate action statewide to reduce pollution and protect residents from severe weather and other climate impacts. Whether reducing harmful emissions from an ice rink chiller, increasing neighborhood walkability, or supporting comprehensive resiliency planning, there are many ways July 23rd’s Climate Smart Communities grants are supporting New York’s ongoing climate actions. DEC looks forward to continuing work with our many partners, especially disadvantaged communities, to help New York State become greener, healthier, and more resilient.”

The 2023 Climate Smart Communities grant awards include:

Capital Region

City of Albany - $100,000

Albany will develop a comprehensive government operations and community climate action plan (CAP). The plan will include an overview of the most recent climate projections as they relate to Albany, as well as greenhouse gas inventories, vulnerability assessments, adaptation plans, and mitigation plans. Given Albany’s disadvantaged communities, the CAP will prioritize climate justice in an extensive community engagement process.

City of Hudson - $131,000

To complement the Hudson Connects project, funded by the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), Hudson will upgrade two intersections on Warren Street, at 1st Street and 2nd Street, both located within disadvantaged communities. Work will include Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant pedestrian and bicycle facilities and traffic calming measures such as curb ramps and corner bump-outs. Together with the DRI work, this project will promote walking, bicycling, and nonmotorized transit as safer and more attractive primary transportation modes by increasing connectivity to Warren Street, Front Street, and various riverfront destinations.

Central New York

Village of Fayetteville - $75,000

Fayetteville will make sidewalk improvements to numerous locations within the village center, allowing for improved pedestrian connections to schools, the library, parks, museums, the village and town halls, restaurants, and other businesses. Through this project, the village anticipates more pedestrians will use the sidewalk network, reducing vehicle miles traveled.

Onondaga County - $100,000

Onondaga County will update its government operations greenhouse gas inventory and climate action plan, last updated in 2017. The inventory and plan will be a roadmap to future climate change mitigation projects.

Village of Skaneateles - $375,025

Skaneateles will construct a concrete sidewalk on Orchard Road, providing pedestrian access from the existing sidewalk on West Elizabeth Street to another existing sidewalk connection on U.S. Route 20. This corridor was identified as a gap in pedestrian infrastructure within the village. It is anticipated that more community members and visitors will feel comfortable walking safely throughout the village, reducing vehicle miles traveled and potential pedestrian/vehicular conflicts.

City of Syracuse - $100,000

Syracuse will update its sustainability plan, complete communitywide and government operations greenhouse gas inventories, and develop a climate action plan. The project will develop new greenhouse gas reduction targets and establish policies and actions to reduce emissions citywide.

Finger Lakes

City of Batavia - $1,180,414

Batavia will replace the existing chiller at the David McCarthy Ice Rink with a CO2 chiller, the existing evaporative cooler with an adiabatic cooler, existing brine pumps with a variable speed drive pump, and add a heat exchanger to provide hot water heat recovery. The new system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and reduce maintenance costs.

Long Island

Town of North Hempstead - $150,000

North Hempstead will complete a climate vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan to help determine the best ways to adapt to climate change and build resilience in the community. The assessment and plan will encompass the entire geographic area of the town's coastal areas within the Long Island Sound watershed.

Mid-Hudson

Village of Dobbs Ferry – $1,041,493

Dobbs Ferry will design and construct drainage improvements to mitigate the flooding along Ashford Avenue, Gould Park, Maple Avenue, and Pietro Place, where the existing culvert is inadequate to convey the flow and volume of runoff during medium and large precipitation events. Flooding regularly requires Ashford Avenue to be closed for hours at a time, cutting off routine and emergency access, and has removed a well-used sidewalk from service.

City of Kingston - $538,409

Kingston will implement a five-pronged organics diversion program to reach all constituents receiving city waste management services through, 1) a curbside food waste collection program, 2) neighborhood food waste drop-off locations, 3) promotion of residential backyard composting, 4) education regarding onsite composting technologies for small commercial food-waste-producing businesses, and 5) a collection program for municipal buildings, recreation facilities, and events.

City of New Rochelle - $1,130,000

New Rochelle will upgrade existing stormwater infrastructure in the neighborhood of Ashland Street, East Place, Crestview Street, and Chatworth Place. Various roads within the neighborhood are sloped at approximately 10 percent, with little existing infrastructure to capture and convey surface runoff downstream during heavy rainfall. The goal of this project is to reduce or eliminate the frequency and scale of surface flooding and property damage during large storm events by installing additional inlets and piping, upsizing existing piping, and providing means for retention or detention.

Rockland County - $75,000

Rockland County will complete a government operations climate action plan and a government operations greenhouse gas inventory in pursuit of CSC certification. The county is pursuing certification as part of its ongoing commitment to combat climate change, protect public health and safety, and support a secure economic future.

Village of Pelham Manor - $550,000

Pelham Manor will right-size the stormwater drain line in Monroe Street, up to Hunter Avenue, from a 30-inch diameter pipe to a 48-inch diameter pipe to facilitate emergency response, protect the community’s infrastructure, and reduce risks to residents.

Mohawk Valley

City of Oneida - $175,000

Oneida will make sidewalk improvements and repairs to numerous locations within the core downtown area to better connect residential areas to amenities including schools, parks, local businesses and restaurants, medical facilities, and the library.

North Country

City of Plattsburgh - $1,566,159

Plattsburgh will construct a multiuse path along Brinkerhoff and Court Streets between Oak Street and Beekman Street. The project will widen the sidewalks to create a three-lane path, one lane for walking and two lanes for bicycle use, separated by bollards. The project would encourage residents and SUNY Plattsburgh students to walk or bike, thus reducing dependency on cars, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion, and providing for healthier lifestyles.

Southern Tier

Broome County - $30,000

The Broome County comprehensive plan sustainability element project will focus on the development of plan components to guide efficient use of natural resources, consider the impacts of development on the local and regional environment, and preserve the natural function of ecosystems to meet various county priorities.

The 2024 Climate Smart Communities Grant program is currently open with DEC making $22.5 million available to help municipalities take action to address climate change. Funding for the program is supported by the State's Environmental Protection Fund and the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. Eligible projects can include reducing flood risk, relocating or retrofitting critical infrastructure, reducing emissions from food waste, and climate change planning and assessment as part of the Climate Smart Communities Certification program. Applications are due by July 31, 2024. To apply for the current round of grants, visit the New York State Consolidated Funding Application.

If awarded a grant, municipalities must provide at least 50 percent of the total costs for most projects. However, this year’s State budget provides new assistance to promote equity by authorizing DEC to provide up to 80 percent of the cost of municipal projects that meet the criteria for financial hardship and for projects located in disadvantaged communities.?More information about the grant program?and the 2024 request for applications are available on the DEC website.

The CSC grant program is one component of the larger, interagency Climate Smart Communities Program, which is jointly sponsored by DEC, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, New York Power Authority, Department of State, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Service, and Division of Homes and Community Renewal. The interagency program also provides Climate Smart Communities certification and technical assistance.

Established in 2009, the interagency Climate Smart Communities program provides guidance and technical support to local governments to take locally driven climate action. The first step to becoming a Climate Smart Community is to register by pledging to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. To date, 425 local governments representing nearly 9.6 million New Yorkers, or approximately 50 percent of the State’s population, have adopted the Climate Smart Communities pledge.

State Senator Pete Harckham, Co-Chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee said, “The Climate Smart Communities grant funding from the DEC is helping municipalities statewide prepare for the manifold challenges of climate change while also lowering energy costs. I appreciate the financial support directed toward Rockland County, so it can create a detailed and strategic framework for measuring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its transition away from fossil fuels to more economical renewable energy.”

Assemblymember Deborah Glick, Co-Chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee said, “Fighting climate change is necessary at every level, especially at the local level where people on the ground are most appropriate to identify critical needs. Giving municipalities an opportunity to participate in the Climate Smart Communities program to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be better prepared for the extreme weather caused by climate change is an important part of achieving our climate goals and improving our resiliency as a state. These Climate Smart Communities grants will help improve the environment and bring us closer to reversing the devastating impacts of climate change. I applaud Governor Hochul, Interim Commissioner Mahar, and the participating localities for their dedication to improving New York's resiliency and environment.”

Assemblymember Steve Hawley said, “As New York continues to pave the way for innovative and sustainable technologies, initiatives like the Climate Smart Communities grant program are vital for giving localities the leading edge. These grants will help improve local infrastructure, increase storm safety and assist small businesses throughout Western New York. I’m proud to see these investments in our region and I look forward to seeing the impact they will have on our community in the years to come.”

Genesee County Manager Matt Landers said, “Genesee County appreciates the opportunity to support the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in announcing vital funding for new climate projects. This support underscores our commitment to sustainability and highlights the innovative efforts of our local communities in addressing climate change. We look forward to seeing these projects have a positive impact on Batavia and beyond.”

Genesee County Legislative Chair Rochelle Stein said, “Genesee County is very excited for the support provided by NYSERDA to the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Rink. The rink is a center of healthy physical activity and quality of life for our residents. Investments that extend the life of our local infrastructure with resiliency in practice are mist welcome. Congratulations to Coty of Batavia leaders for their foresight in utilizing CSC program and partner GFLRPC staff.”

Batavia City Manager Rachael J. Tabelski said, “The ice arena is a true community asset and this funding through the Climate Smart Community Grant Program will enhance the operations of the arena as well as provide cost savings while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are key to New York State’s climate goals. I want to thank DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar for coming to Batavia to make this announcement as the ice arena is a year-round venue that is important to our community and will be for generations to come.”

Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council Executive Director Richard Sutherland said, “In a time of the tumultuous uncertainties of climate change, we at Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council look to municipalities like the City of Batavia and others in the Region for their leadership and hard work to mitigate and adapt to these changes. We are always blown away by the diverse and robust dedication municipal leaders/staff and community members give to making their communities a better place. Since the beginning of the program, we have seen a number of the communities in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region be successful in the program and utilize the Climate Smart Communities actions and funding opportunities as a means to build and invest in carbon reduction. Congratulations to the City of Batavia and other successful applicants.”

About the Consolidated Funding Application

The Consolidated Funding Application was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. The CFA process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The CFA serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have to slowly navigate numerous agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the CFA as a support mechanism to access many state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive. Learn more about the CFA?here.