Ithaca 2030 District Partners will hear about new funding and incentives available for clean energy upgrades to commercial buildings at the next quarterly meeting on Wednesday, September 21 at 4:30-6 pm.
NYSEG recently announced that it was providing $3.1 million in special funding for geothermal and air-source heat pump systems in areas, including Ithaca, where natural gas supply constraints exist. The funding for commercial buildings is in addition to the incentives offered under the NYS Clean Heat Program, as well as any other incentives available for heat pump projects.
The funding will be awarded on a first come, first served basis until it runs out. Multifamily residential buildings are not eligible.
Nicole Williams, program manager for conservation and load management at NYSEG, will head up a team from the utility and ICF — the consulting firm hired to oversee implementation of the program — that will brief District Partners on the details of this special grant opportunity and how to apply for it.
Luis Aguirre-Torres, director of sustainability for the City of Ithaca, will also be providing attendees an update on the commercial side of the building electrification program officially launched in July at the Southside Community Center.
Common Council approved the plan in November 2021 to decarbonize all 6,000 buildings in the city as part of the larger Ithaca Green New Deal goal to achieve community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030.
In addition, Aguirre-Torres will provide an overview of of the Inflation Reduction Act recently signed into law. This historic legislation provides $369 billion for implementing climate and clean energy measures including tax credits and other incentives for energy upgrades to buildings.
Be sure to attend this meeting to hear about the new NYSEG special funding opportunity, latest news on the city’s decarbonization program, and federal clean energy incentives.