Governor Kathy Hochul announced $80 million in new grant funding communities for ‘climate resiliency’ projects. Hochul also announced final permits were being approved for a large-scale renewable (wind/solar) energy project making it the 20th ‘Clean Energy” project approved since 2021.
New York has a goal of achieving an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors. New York State's ‘Climate Agenda’ main goal is to force New Yorkers to transition away from reliable and affordable fossil fuels such as natural gas and toward what the state calls ‘green investments’.
Despite the focus on eliminating reliable energy sources as part of the Green New Deal, some programs put forth in the Bond Act are beneficial to local communities.
Suffolk County’s shoreline has suffered devastating damage from several historic storms over the past few years. Some of the funding in the grant program does enhance the preparedness of coastal regions against severe storms.
The grants announced are funded through the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and some will be helpful in a practical sense.
“Making New York more resilient in the face of increasingly devastating storms and other extreme weather emergencies is a top priority for our state,” Governor Hochul said. “With $80 million now available from the Environmental Bond Act, communities statewide will be able to take necessary steps to protect flood-prone areas, safeguard infrastructure, and ensure the safety of their homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. These investments will not only strengthen our ability to withstand future storms but also create healthier, more sustainable communities for future generations.”
The three Climate Resiliency grant programs are:
- Resilient Watersheds Grant Program: $45 million will be made available through the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), building on the success of the Resilient NY program and advancing the State’s goal of strengthening infrastructure and protecting New Yorkers from the impacts of extreme weather.
- Coastal Rehabilitation and Resilience Projects Program: $20 million will be made available through the Department of State (DOS) for coastal communities. The program prioritizes projects using nature-based solutions to enhance community resilience while also delivering environmental, economic, and social benefits.
- Inland Flooding and Local Waterfront Revitalization Implementation Projects Program: $15 million will be made available through DOS for implementation projects that improve waterfront and watershed resiliency and reduce climate impacts, particularly flooding.
The New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) said it issued a final siting permit for the White Creek Solar project to develop, construct, and operate a 135-megawatt (MW) solar array to offset the use of natural gas energy production.
Governor Hochul said, “New York is expediting permitting for clean energy projects to achieve a clean energy economy while creating good-paying jobs that benefit communities throughout the state.”