Governor Hochul Announces Vermont Joins Multi-State Effort to Create a Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub

 

Collaborative Effort Across the Northeast Includes Seven States and More Than 100 Hydrogen Ecosystem Partners

Northeast Clean Hydrogen Hub to Move Forward with Full Proposal Development and Submission for Funding Consideration Through $8 Billion Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Hydrogen Hub Program

Supports State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Goal to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions 85 Percent by 2050

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced Vermont has signed on to a multi-state agreement, joining with New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island, to develop a proposal to become one of up to 10 regional clean hydrogen hubs designated through the federal Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program included in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Northeast Clean Hydrogen Hub of seven states and more than 100 clean hydrogen ecosystem partners is moving forward to develop and submit a full proposal to the United States Department of Energy to compete for funding through the $8 billion program. Today’s announcement advances each State’s leadership in clean hydrogen infrastructure deployment and their respective climate commitments. Specifically for New York, this work supports the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050.

“New York is pleased to welcome the State of Vermont to a diverse group of partners who have committed to advancing a connected clean hydrogen economy in the Northeast,” Governor Hochul said. "Adding this elemental resource to our clean energy economy toolbox will advance our collective emissions reduction and climate goals because like our joint effort, air has no borders.”

Since the initial announcement in March 2022 and update in August 2022, the Northeast Clean Hydrogen Hub has continued to add strategic partners representing all parts of the clean hydrogen ecosystem, including private sector industry leaders, infrastructure and logistics experts, non-profits, technology and equipment manufacturers, hydrogen project developers, transportation leaders, utilities and state agencies.

In addition to Vermont, new partners include:

1. AES  2. Alstom  3. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)  4. Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind  5. Brown University  6. Carrier Global Corporation  7. Cianbro  8. ClearCell Power  9. Corning Incorporated  10. Dominion Energy  11. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)  12. Enbridge  13. Golu Hydrogen Technologies  14. Green Waste Energy, Inc  15. GKN Hydrogen  16. H2.Vision  17. Ideanomics  18. Iroquois Gas Transmissions System, LP  19. Ivys Energy Solutions  20. Lightfuel Hydrogen  21. LuftCar  22. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)  23. Mainspring Energy

24. Massachusetts Port Authority  25. Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc.  26. New Jersey Resources  27. NextEra Energy Resources  28. Nikola  29. Nuvera Fuel Cells  30. Partnership for Rhode Island  31. Princeton University  32. Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)  33. Raytheon Technologies Research Center  34. Rhode Island Commerce Corporation  35. Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority  36. Rose Cay GP, LLC  37. Rose Cay Maritime, LLC  38. Rutgers University  39. Spotimyze Energy  40. SWITCH Maritime  41. Symbio North America  42. Universal Hydrogen Co.  43. University of Maine  44. University of Massachusetts Lowell  45. University of Rhode Island  46. Williams  47. WINDEA CTV

In addition, Adam Zurofsky has been named New York State’s Interim Director of the Northeast Regional Hydrogen Hub effort. In that capacity, Adam will oversee the process of submitting a final application to the Department of Energy, working with the partner states and other stakeholders to maximize the impact of the Hub and its ability to advance shared priorities. Adam previously served as Deputy Secretary for Energy and Finance for the State of New York and was the Founding Executive Director of Rewiring America, a non-profit dedicated to advancing economically beneficial decarbonization strategies. Adam also teaches climate policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Northeast Clean Hydrogen Hub partners have committed to collaborate with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York Power Authority (NYPA), and Empire State Development (ESD) on proposal development to advance clean hydrogen projects. Partnering states will also coordinate with their respective state entities to help align the collaborative’s efforts with each state's climate and clean energy goals. These include Connecticut's Global Warming Solutions Act goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, Massachusetts' goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, New Jersey's Global Warming Response Act goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, Maine's statutory goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and reduce gross greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, Rhode Island's commitment to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2033 and Vermont’s Global Warming Solutions Act goal, which requires Vermont to reduce greenhouse gas pollution 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

The New York Climate Action Council Scoping Plan, approved in December 2022, identifies strategic use of low-carbon fuels such as clean hydrogen as an important means to support rapid and widespread building efficiency and electrification that is needed to achieve the goals of the Climate Act, particularly in sectors that are challenging to electrify, such as transportation and heavy industry.

With the execution of these agreements, the partners will join those previously announced to further define a shared vision and framework for the regional clean hydrogen hub to ensure a connected hydrogen ecosystem across all partner states with quantifiable greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The Hub proposal will be developed with climate and environmental justice central to its strategy to deliver opportunities and improved quality of life to underserved areas across the region.

The group will continue to focus on the integration of renewables – such as onshore and offshore wind, hydropower, and solar PV – and nuclear power into clean hydrogen production, and the evaluation of clean hydrogen for use in transportation, including for medium and heavy- duty vehicles, heavy industry, and power generation applications or other appropriate uses consistent with decarbonization efforts.

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) issued an initial Clean Hydrogen Hubs Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) in September 2022 with concept papers due November 7, 2022. Notification of DOE’s determination that the Northeast Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub should move forward with full proposal development was received on December 27, 2022, with submissions due by April 7, 2023. Proposals may be awarded up to a maximum of $1.25 billion.

For more information on hydrogen activities in New York State, please visit NYSERDA's website.

Permits Filed For 30 West 182nd Street In University Heights, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 30 West 182nd Street in University Heights, The Bronx. Located between Grand Avenue and Davidson Avenue, the lot is three blocks from the 183rd Street subway station, serviced by the 4 train. New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 65-foot-tall development will yield 8,498 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 11 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 772 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar and a 38-foot-long rear yard.

OCV Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Thursday, March 30, 2023 61 Chelsea Piers, NY, NY 10011  11am to 3pm

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Former Correctional Officer Sentenced To 36 Months In Prison For Obstructing Investigation Into Smuggling Of Firearm Into Metropolitan Correctional Center

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GREG MCKENZIE, a former Bureau of Prisons correctional officer, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for obstructing a federal investigation into the smuggling of a firearm into the Metropolitan Correctional Center (“MCC”) by lying to federal investigators about using a prepaid cellphone to communicate secretly with Deejay White, the inmate who possessed the firearm in the MCC, and his wife Dawntiana White, who helped smuggle in the firearm.  The loaded firearm was recovered from inside the MCC on March 5, 2020.  MCKENZIE pled guilty before United States District Judge P. Kevin Castel on September 14, 2022.  Judge Castel sentenced MCKENZIE earlier today.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Greg McKenzie, a former correctional officer, obstructed an investigation into the smuggling of a firearm into the MCC that endangered the safety of inmates, prison staff, and the greater community.  By lying about his secret communications with the very inmate who possessed a firearm in the MCC and that inmate’s wife, who helped smuggle the firearm into the MCC, McKenzie thwarted a serious criminal investigation and sacrificed the integrity of the institution he swore to protect.  McKenzie’s sentence underscores this Office’s commitment to holding public servants accountable and ensuring that no one is above the law.”

According to the Indictment, public court filings, and statements made in court proceedings:

On or about March 5, 2020, a loaded .22 caliber firearm (the “Firearm”) was recovered from inside an MCC prison cell that had last been occupied by two inmates, including Deejay White.  Approximately five weeks earlier, on January 30, 2020, MCKENZIE purchased a prepaid cellphone (the “McKenzie Prepaid Cellphone”) and used it to communicate with Deejay White and his wife Dawntiana on multiple occasions on January 31, 2020, and February 1, 2020.  In addition, cellphone location information indicated that on the evening of January 31, 2020, MCKENZIE and Dawntiana each traveled to the same vicinity in the Bronx at about the same time, after which MCKENZIE drove to lower Manhattan and started a shift at the MCC at midnight.  MCKENZIE’s assignment for that shift was to work on the unit where Deejay was housed. 

Surveillance video and call detail records further established that, upon entering the MCC for his shift, MCKENZIE circumvented a metal detector.  Shortly after MCKENZIE’s shift began, Deejay White used a contraband cellphone to call and then text the McKenzie Prepaid Cellphone.  Within minutes, MCKENZIE returned to Deejay White’s cellblock – alone – while appearing to carry an object under his left arm. 

On July 23, 2021, Deejay White pled guilty to possessing the Firearm inside the MCC before Judge Castel, and on July 13, 2021, Dawntiana White pled guilty to conspiring to smuggle the Firearm into the MCC before U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.

On November 4, 2021, two federal agents conducted a voluntary interview with MCKENZIE.  During the interview, MCKENZIE falsely denied ownership, possession, and use of the McKenzie Prepaid Cellphone, and falsely denied ever using any prepaid cellphone to communicate with an MCC inmate or inmate’s associate.   

In addition to his prison sentence, MCKENZIE, 35, of Danbury, Connecticut, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General, Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in New York.