GOVERNOR HOCHUL: $22 million now available to modernize New York’s electric grid

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $22 million is now available for projects that strengthen and modernize New York’s electric grid.

Funded by a U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Resilience Formula Grant, the State’s new competitive grid modernization program supports projects that help to ensure the reliability of infrastructure and expand access to clean energy for New Yorkers, supporting the transition to a zero-emission electricity system.

“New York’s grid infrastructure is the backbone of energy distribution and we must maintain its reliability and resiliency to withstand extreme weather events,” Governor Hochul said.

“This federal formula grant complements ongoing State investments to meet the growing energy needs of families and businesses in our communities.”

The new grid modernization program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), provides funding to municipal utilities, rural cooperatives, or consortiums that apply on their behalf, and small electricity providers that sell no more than 4,000,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity per year for projects that strengthen the capacity of New York State’s grid systems to prepare for future extreme weather events.

Eligible project types will advance modern, resilient grid technologies that can withstand extreme weather events and include:

• Adaptive protection, advanced modeling, and monitoring control technologies.
• Installing advanced conductors, including low sag advanced conductors, or replacing old overhead conductors and underground cables.
• Using or constructing distributed energy resources (DER) to enhance adaptive capacity during a disruptive event.
• Weatherization technologies and equipment.

Proposals must meet all federal requirements, including at least a one-third cost share, and include direct and quantifiable energy, environmental, and economic benefits to New York State such as emissions reductions, job creation, product manufacturing and sales, energy efficiency, or reduced electric costs for proposed site locations.

Proposers must select one project type per application. Proposals will be accepted through 3 p.m. on February 12, 2025.

More information available here.

Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.