DEC Releases Environmental Bond Act Draft Guidelines for Green Building Projects at State Facilities

 

Draft Guidelines Now Available for Public Review and Comment through Aug. 2, 2024 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released for public review and comment draft eligibility guidelines to implement funding under the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 (Bond Act). The proposed guidelines allocate funding for costs associated with green building projects that increase energy efficiency or the use or siting of renewable energy on State-owned buildings.  

 

“Bond Act investments in projects designed to improve energy efficiency, decrease harmful emissions from State facilities, and advance renewable energy and green infrastructure will make a significant impact as New York continues to work toward reaching its climate action goals,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “The draft guidelines released today for public review and comment are another step forward in the State’s sustained efforts to build a stronger, more resilient New York investing Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act dollars in critical projects and improvements.”  

 

Eligible project locations include New York State-owned buildings or properties. Eligible projects are those ?i?dentified in a draft or completed energy master plan, New York Power Authority decarbonization action plan, energy study, or equivalent that meets or exceeds American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Level 2 energy audits. Projects should be aligned with Executive Order 22, Leading by Example: Directing State Agencies to Adopt a Sustainability and Decarbonization Program, and follow the green purchasing specifications and operational directives developed for state agencies. Projects must also be substantially complete within five years. Funds are to be used in conjunction with all other available sources such as federal funds, other state funds, utility incentives or tax credits.   

 

Project may include?, but are not limited to?: 

• Installing, upgrading, or modifying a renewable energy source at a State-owned building or for the purpose of converting or connecting a State-owned building or portion thereof, to a renewable energy source; 
• Reducing energy use or improving energy efficiency or occupant health;
• Installing a green roof;
• Installing renewable heating and cooling systems, including geothermal, air to air,? ?air to water?, and heat recovery? heat pumps and associated distribution systems, and thermal energy networks;   
• Greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects and those that improve air quality;
• New energy technology projects or application of such technology that reduce fossil fuel use (heating oil, natural gas, steam generated by fossil fuel);
• Building electrification projects;
• System conversion to natural gas or other fossil fuel and full system replacements to new fossil fuel-based systems are not

The full eligibility guidelines are available in the Environmental Notice Bulletin.

Public comments on the draft guidelines will be accepted until Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at 5 p.m. and can be submitted in writing: by mail to?Jon Binder, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233 Email: Bondact@dec.ny.gov with the subject: Green Buildings 

Disadvantaged Communities?? 

The Bond Act requires that disadvantaged communities shall receive no less than 35 percent, with the goal of 40 percent, of the benefit of total Bond Act funds ($4.2 billion). Disadvantaged communities are those. identified by the Climate Justice Working Group, pursuant to the Climate Act. Consistent with this Bond Act requirement, DEC will aim to prioritize 40 percent of grant awards to benefit disadvantaged communities.?? 

New York’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act? 

On Nov. 8, 2022, New York voters overwhelmingly approved the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act. State agencies, local governments, and partners will be able to access funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency, and create green jobs. Bond Act funding will support new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change. ??? 

Since the Bond Act passed, an inter-agency working group comprised of multiple state agencies has been implementing a transparent and collaborative process to identify needs for environmental funding across the state to help develop program logistics. In the last year, the state announced a $200 million funding investment toward the state’s existing Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal?Grant programs, $100 million available for zero-emission school buses, $100 million available for Clean Green Schools, $13.1 million to support construction of the Adirondack Rail Trail and Saranac Lake Depot, and State-administered forestry projects to plant 25 million trees by 2033. Additional funding opportunities are available now. Find open grant opportunities, more Bond Act-related information, and sign up for progress updates at environmentalbondact.ny.gov.?