Albany, NY – In response to the passage of the New York State Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget, the UpgradeNY collaboration issued the following statement:

“While we are disappointed that New York State’s Capital Budget for 2025 did not include funding for shovel-ready thermal energy networks at the University at Buffalo (UB) and SUNY Purchase College, we look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and Legislative leadership to ensure thermal energy networks are central in New York’s decarbonization efforts.  It is critical that shovel-ready projects that support union jobs like those at UB and Purchase College are provided the means to move forward. Thermal energy networks are emissions-free heating and cooling systems that connect multiple buildings using an underground network of liquid-filled pipes to transfer heat between buildings and energy sources, allowing for energy-efficient renewable heating and cooling at a campus or neighborhood scale. 

UB and SUNY Purchase are ready to build thermal energy networks to decarbonize buildings on their campuses. By decarbonizing these state facilities, New York could have led by example by fostering the development of union-built thermal energy networks that would slash pollution and avoid costly electric-grid upgrades, while demonstrating to New York’s union workforce that homegrown, clean energy jobs are a priority in the fight against climate change. UpgradeNY will continue to advocate for the development of thermal energy networks to decarbonize state facilities and campuses, in partnership with the New York Power Authority (NYPA), utilities, and state leadership.” 

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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, Building Trades Council of Greater New York, Sierra Club’s Atlantic Chapter and Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE). Learn more at upgradeny.org