Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have greenlit $23 million for 15 high-impact decarbonization projects.
The latest round of funding, part of the 2025 Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative, targets a fundamental shift in how the state’s building and industrial sectors operate. By integrating air-source heat pumps, energy recovery systems, and solar power, New York aims to bypass traditional infrastructure delays and implement immediate, localized climate solutions.
Thought leadership:
The announcement is backed by the state’s top energy and economic leaders, who emphasize that these projects are not just environmental but economic catalysts:
Doreen M Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA, said, “These innovative projects will make a significant impact across New York State by redefining how our buildings and infrastructure are designed, operated, and powered. By upgrading existing structures with energy-efficient technologies and advancing clean energy construction, New York is leading our communities toward a cleaner and healthier future.”
Hope Knight, President & CEO, Empire State Development, said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York’s regional approach to economic development continues to create jobs and leverage private investments… we are promoting opportunities that will generate sustainable economic growth.”
Industrial innovation:
The awards are split between two primary tracks: the Building Cleaner Communities Competition and the C&I Carbon Challenge. A highlight of the industrial push includes Brightly Farms in Hamlin, which will convert a pole barn into a carbon-neutral cold storage facility using rooftop solar and a high-performance envelope. In the urban sector, 3 MetroTech Center in Brooklyn will be transformed into a gateway for NYU’s campus, equipped with battery storage and advanced stormwater management systems to ensure the facility remains resilient during extreme weather.
Impact on climate goals:
This $23 million injection is part of a broader strategy that has already leveraged nearly $1.3 billion in public and private investment since 2018.
Collectively, these programs have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by an amount equivalent to removing one million cars from the road annually. By funding shovel-ready projects that utilize existing technology today, New York is ensuring that its climate goals aren’t stalled by the global technical limbo of grid connectivity but are instead met through decentralized, site-specific innovation.
