More than $29 million has been awarded to 15 innovative projects through Round XIV of the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative. Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the initiative is helping New York reduce statewide carbon emissions, promote economic development and create new opportunities in communities throughout the state. The projects, seven of which are located in NYS designated disadvantaged communities, were awarded through participation in one of the two NYSERDA programs, the Building Cleaner Communities Competition (BCCC) or the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Carbon Challenge.
“Innovative solutions like those awarded today are transforming how we design, operate and power buildings across New York State,” said NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris. “Retrofitting existing structures and processes with carbon reducing strategies and breaking ground on cutting-edge new construction is how the state will stay at the forefront as we move toward a clean energy economy.”
The C&I Carbon Challenge is a competitive program that provides funding to large energy users such as manufacturers, colleges, universities, health care facilities and office building owners in New York State to implement clean energy projects that reduce carbon emissions. Projects may utilize a combination of energy or manufacturing process efficiency strategies, carbon capture technology, low-carbon fuel utilization, renewable generation or energy storage.
BCCC, previously known as the Carbon Neutral Communities Economic Development (CNCED) program, was created to showcase real-world examples of clean and resilient economic development projects that utilize technologies that advance decarbonization goals, provide comfortable spaces for users, and serve critical community needs. Previous winners have included the Underground Railroad Interpretive Center in Albany, Highland Passive House in Highland, and Timber Trails Forest Farm in Canandaigua.