The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Clean Energy Communities Program was created to give municipalities the opportunity to access exclusive grant funding for clean energy projects by becoming a designated “Clean Energy Community” via two-step process.
First, a municipality would complete four out of ten “High-Impact Actions” to be designated as a Clean Energy Community. Then, once a municipality has this designation, it would be eligible for a grant of up to $250,000 to support additional clean energy projects. More information on the Program can be found here – Clean Energy Communities.
Municipalities in Western New York have participated in the Program with great success. For example, the Towns of Amherst and Tonawanda both recently completed their designations. Amherst has received a $250,000 grant to install solar arrays and charging stations, while Tonawanda is in line for a $150,000 grant to modernize their zoning code.
The Program is scheduled to run until September 30, 2019; however, the Program has been so successful that all of the large block grants earmarked for Western New York (and most large block grants across the State) have already been awarded.
But that does not mean there are no longer benefits to municipalities for completing the Program. To the contrary, municipalities that complete the Program are still eligible for an incentive award of $5,000, and they will be in position to take advantage of the second round of large block grants, if and when such funding is approved.
Please contact the attorneys at Bouvier Law LLP for a free consultation about how we can help navigate you through this exciting program!
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