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Governor Kathy Hochul on April 5 announced $3.5 million in technical assistance funding is now available to
support the development of electric grid modernization project proposals through the state’s Grid
Modernization Program.
This funding will support interested municipal electric utilities and rural electric cooperatives in developing
proposals that advance the reliability of grid infrastructure and access to affordable clean energy.
The announcement represents the pre-development step to help municipal electric utilities and rural
cooperatives plan for an upcoming $24 million funding opportunity made possible through U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE) award to New York State last fall.
The $24 million, expected to be made available this summer, will be administered by the New York State
Energy Research and Development Authority over a two-year period through a competitive solicitation
process to select grid modernization projects.
New York State munis and rural co-ops may now apply here on a first come, first served basis until 3:00
p.m. on December 1, 2027 for a one-time maximum technical assistance award of up to $200,000 per
applicant.
This assistance can be used to support the technical analyses needed to evaluate potential projects, grant
writing assistance for implementation funding, and development of a metrics reporting system to evaluate
project success.
NYSERDA will host an informational webinar here on April 12 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for those
interested in learning more about the technical assistance funding opportunity.
Public power utilities and rural co-ops that do not have technical assistance needs may propose smaller
implementation projects that fall within the allowable maximum award amount including projects that align
with focus areas detailed in the solicitation, which will strengthen the capacity of New York State’s grid
systems and communities to prepare for current and future climate risks.
Applicants will be required to directly procure any contractors needed for technical services, which may
include engineering, economics, and grant application services. NYSERDA will review all contractors
working with MUNIs and rural COOPs as part of this activity to ensure they meet the Authority’s and federal
contractor standards.
New York Association of Public Power President David Leathers said, “Strengthening our local distribution
infrastructure is crucial to our public power mission of providing safe, affordable, and reliable electricity for
our customers, members, and broader communities. The NYAPP utility and cooperative members appreciate
this funding opportunity provided by NYSERDA through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will support
continued system investments to enhance the resiliency and reliability of our public power electric systems
throughout New York State.”
New York was one of nine states and five tribal nations that were awarded a combined total of $125 million
last September as the seventh cohort of Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants. The $3.5 million
made available today is part of New York’s 15% matching funds required by DOE and sourced through the
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. To learn more, visit NYSERDA’s website and the Grid Deployment
Office’s website.
Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office,
the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants distribute funding to states, territories, and federally
recognized Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Alaska Native Village
Corporations, over five years based on a formula that includes factors such as population size, land area,
probability and severity of disruptive events, and a locality’s historical expenditures on mitigation efforts.
Priority is given to projects that generate the greatest community benefit providing clean, affordable, and
reliable energy.
NEW Topics
Grid Modernization