ALBANY, NY (July 24, 2024) — Governor Kathy Hochul has announced more than $7.3 million to municipalities across the state as part of New York State’s Climate Smart Communities grant program. The projects help New York advance the emission-reduction targets under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and support local projects to reduce flood risk, increase resilience, and improve critical infrastructure.
What they are saying
New York Governor Kathy Hochul: “New Yorkers are all too familiar with the increased frequency of severe weather events caused by climate change, and I commend the work of these local communities to reduce emissions and address the crisis head on. These climate smart investments help municipalities across the state build stronger and more resilient communities while helping to ensure the health and safety of residents, providing green jobs, and protecting the environment for years to come.”
Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar: “Municipalities that participate in the Climate Smart Communities program are models of local climate action statewide to reduce pollution and protect residents from severe weather and other climate impacts. Whether reducing harmful emissions from an ice rink chiller, increasing neighborhood walkability, or supporting comprehensive resiliency planning, there are many ways today’s Climate Smart Communities grants are supporting New York’s ongoing climate actions. DEC looks forward to continuing work with our many partners, especially disadvantaged communities, to help New York State become greener, healthier, and more resilient.”
Established in 2016, the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Climate Smart Communities grant program supports municipalities seeking to implement climate change adaptation and greenhouse gas mitigation projects, as well as undertake certain actions toward becoming certified Climate Smart Communities. The grant program for municipal climate action supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which requires New York to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Since the program’s inception, DEC has awarded more than $69 million to municipalities in support of local climate mitigation and adaptation projects. More information about the grant program can be found here.
The 2023 Climate Smart Communities grant awards include:
City of New Rochelle – $1,130,000
New Rochelle will upgrade existing stormwater infrastructure in the neighborhood of Ashland Street, East Place, Crestview Street, and Chatworth Place. Various roads within the neighborhood are sloped at approximately 10 percent, with little existing infrastructure to capture and convey surface runoff downstream during heavy rainfall. The goal of this project is to reduce or eliminate the frequency and scale of surface flooding and property damage during large storm events by installing additional inlets and piping, upsizing existing piping, and providing means for retention or detention.
Village of Pelham Manor – $550,000
Pelham Manor will right-size the stormwater drain line in Monroe Street, up to Hunter Avenue, from a 30-inch diameter pipe to a 48-inch diameter pipe to facilitate emergency response, protect the community’s infrastructure, and reduce risks to residents.
See the entire list of grant recipients here.