ALBANY, N.Y., February 13, 2025 — In response to Governor Hochul’s announcement of initial allocations of Environmental Bond Act funds for decarbonization at SUNY and CUNY campuses, including for thermal energy networks, the UpgradeNY collaboration issued the following statement:

“The UpgradeNY coalition applauds Governor Hochul for leading by example and moving forward $150 million in funding from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act for decarbonization on SUNY and CUNY campuses across New York state, including funds to ensure 15 shovel ready thermal energy networks (TENs) by 2026. This investment is a game-changer for New York’s public higher education campuses, allowing them to transition away from polluting fossil fuels and embrace clean, efficient heating and cooling solutions while creating good union jobs in the process. By deploying TENs, campuses will cut emissions, lower energy costs, and provide healthier, more sustainable learning environments for students, faculty, and staff. This is exactly the kind of action needed to meet New York’s climate goals and create union careers in clean energy. We look forward to working with the Governor and Legislature to appropriate an additional $200 million investment to support shovel-ready thermal energy network projects at SUNY Purchase, the University at Buffalo, and additional campuses, as well as the innovative district energy decarbonization project in Jamestown, NY.”

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About Us

The UpgradeNY collaboration works together to advocate for affordable solutions to decarbonize New York’s buildings while creating a strong foundation for good-paying union jobs. Members include Building Decarbonization Coalition, New York League of Conservation Voters, The New York State AFL-CIO, ALIGN, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, New York State Building and Construction Trades Council, Sierra Club’s Atlantic Chapter and Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE). Learn more at upgradeny.org