Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the availability of $100 million through the Clean Green Schools Initiative, part of the landmark $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. This initiative is designed to fund construction projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing environmental sustainability in public schools. The announcement aligns with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050 and directs at least 35 percent, aiming for 40 percent, of clean energy investment benefits to disadvantaged communities.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of creating a safe and healthy learning environment as a cornerstone of quality education. The investment in clean and sustainable school facilities is expected to have a long-lasting positive impact on future generations of students.
The initiative addresses the challenges faced by schools due to climate change, particularly the increase in high-heat days. Many schools, especially those with outdated infrastructure, struggle to maintain a cool environment. To combat this, the Clean Green Schools program, announced in this year’s State of the State, will prioritize funding for efficient cooling systems, especially in schools serving vulnerable populations. These systems will also be available to the community during extreme heat events to help prevent heat-related illnesses.
The program, managed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), focuses on aiding under-resourced public schools in becoming more sustainable, resilient, and healthy. Upgrading to clean energy technologies, the initiative seeks to improve indoor air quality affected by pollution and wildfires and promote electrification.
Eligibility for the competitive application process, which opened today, extends to all public school districts in New York State that are either designated as high-needs by the New York State Education Department or located in disadvantaged communities as defined by the New York State Climate Justice Working Group. The incentive for qualifying projects starts at $500,000, and proposals are due by June 6, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. ET.