Dive Brief:

• New York has launched a $10 million Commercial and Industrial Accelerated Efficiency Program to provide incentives for large energy users to reduce emissions and electrify loads.
• Program awards will range from $500,000 to $5 million for projects that can be completed and operational by the end of 2025. Eligible measures include energy efficiency and process improvements, heat pumps, electrification of thermal loads, and energy management systems and controls.
• The program will target companies “working to significantly cut energy and emissions on an accelerated timeline,” according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, known as NYSERDA.

Dive Insight:

NYSERDA says the new program is designed to reduce emissions from operations in difficult-to-decarbonize and energy-intensive sectors, helping the state to meet its legislatively-set climate goals.

New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act directs the state to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 85% below 1990 levels by 2050.

The new efficiency program is open to a range of applicants in manufacturing industries and in commercial campus settings, including the paper, petroleum, primary metals, minerals, chemicals, transportation and other sectors.

“Support operations such as warehousing and distribution sites, mining and extraction, as well as water and wastewater are also eligible,” NYSERDA said.

“This program significantly de-risks the financial side” of efficiency and electrification investments, Randy Wolken, president of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, said in a statement.

NYSERDA said it will award incentives on a competitive basis. Proposals must identify an energy-saving target; selection will be based on ranked scores prioritizing thermal energy savings, emissions savings, cost effectiveness, peak electric load reduction, and how quickly the measures can be installed.

The total award request cannot exceed half of the project’s cost. Ineligible projects include new construction and those focused on power quality, lighting and “projects that derive benefits from the decommissioning of equipment due to a reduction of work/production,” NYSERDA said.

Proposals are due by August 31.