C-R Schools: Funding will “cut energy use nearly in half”
Environmental Bond Act Funding Awarded for Four Major Energy Efficiency Projects Through the Clean Green Schools Program
Funding Makes Clean Energy and Building Upgrades More Affordable for Schools
From the Office of NY Governor Kathy Hochul
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $23 million in funding has been awarded to four under-resourced school districts across New York State to create healthier, more comfortable learning environments under the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (Environmental Bond Act). Through the Clean Green Schools Initiative, the funding will make it more affordable for the awarded school districts to install the latest clean energy and building technologies, reduce energy use and achieve carbon emission reductions.
“The Environmental Bond Act has unlocked historic investments in securing a clean, resilient future for New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “These awards represent the first of several under-resourced school districts to benefit from these funds and will help to create healthier learning environments for New York students who need it most.”
Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Clean Green Schools Program provides incentives to eligible school districts to implement construction projects that improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, such as comprehensive retrofits that impact energy consumption and overall building load, electrification readiness projects, and conversion of central heating and/or cooling plants to clean energy technologies such as heat pumps. The awarded school districts serve nearly 10,000 students in total and at least four of the school buildings are located in disadvantaged communities, as defined by the Climate Justice Working Group. In total, the projects are expected to save 19,000 MMBtus of energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 840 metric tons, which is equivalent to removing over 200 gasoline-powered cars from the road annually.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Today’s awards will create comfortable, healthy learning environments that demonstrate the impact of energy efficient and clean heating and cooling technologies in school buildings. Transforming schools in New York’s under-resourced communities will ensure that all students are able to unlock their full potential as we make progress toward a cleaner future for the next generation.”
The awarded projects include:
- $1.4 million for Bradford Central School District (Schuyler County): The district will fully electrify HVAC systems at the K-12 building with variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pumps and air source heat pumps, providing space heating and cooling. In addition, Energy Recovery Ventilators will be utilized to maximize energy efficiency and improve indoor air quality. This project is expected to reduce energy use in the building by 15 percent.
- Over $1.4 million for Canajoharie Central School District (Montgomery County): The district will install a ground source heat pump, air source heat pumps, and a solar PV system across three buildings, significantly reducing fossil fuel usage to provide space heating and cooling. This project also uses the ground source heat pump and distribution room as a learning laboratory, serving as an educational space for students. This project is expected to reduce energy use in the three buildings by 40 percent.
- Over $10 million for Cuba Rushford Central School District (Allegany County): The district will install ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps, which combined will serve 90 percent of the buildings’ heating, cooling, and domestic hot water loads. Upgrades to the Building Automation System will be included to control and monitor the new clean systems. Additionally, the district is developing lesson plans around the new clean energy systems and plans on coordinating post-construction facility tours for students. This project is expected to reduce energy use in the buildings by 45 percent.
- Over $10 million for North Rockland Central School District (Rockland County): The district will fully electrify HVAC systems at two buildings with VRF heat pumps, providing space heating and cooling with upgraded filtration to improve indoor air quality. The project also includes the installation of high-performance windows and supports the district in developing new course work around clean energy. This project is expected to reduce energy use in the two buildings by 50 percent.
Cuba Rushford Central School District Superintendent Carlos Gildemeister said, “This project will cut our energy use by nearly half, bring cleaner air and AC to our classrooms, and give our students a front-row seat to the future of clean energy. We are thankful for the grant!”
Today’s announcement represents the first school districts to be awarded as part of $100 million in Environmental Bond Act funding announced by Governor Hochul in January 2024. NYSERDA is in the process of negotiating contracts with additional school districts across the state, which are expected to be finalized and announced later this year.
All New York State public school buildings located in disadvantaged communities or designated as high-needs by the New York State Education Department were eligible to participate in the Clean Green Schools Initiative. Of the 3,100 eligible schools in New York State, 1,960 schools across 146 districts and 55 counties are receiving technical assistance to assess indoor air quality, reduce energy use, and identify potential clean energy upgrades. NYSERDA anticipates announcing an additional round of Clean Green Schools funding to support P-12 installation projects in fall 2025.
NYSERDA also provides technical assistance to schools through the Flexible Technical Assistance Program, which can help schools identify and evaluate opportunities to reduce energy costs and incorporate clean energy into their capital planning. Additional information can be found here.
