ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Over $5 million has been awarded to projects in the Capital Region. The projects will reduce greenhouse gas emission and adapt to the ongoing climate change effects.
The money was made possible by the Climate Smart Communities Grant program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the $196 million in Regional Economic Development Council awards in December.
Basil Seggos, DEC Commissioner, said that municipalities that have become Climate Smart Communities are a model for others in the state. They take local action to reduce pollution and protect residents from severe weather and other effects of climate change. Governor Hochul understands the seriousness and urgency of the challenges ahead. These Climate Smart grants are a sign of New York State’s ongoing commitmentto reducing greenhouse gas emission and helping all cities, towns, villages, and environmental justice communities become stronger and resilient.
The grant program supports municipalities that want to become Climate Smart Communities. It also helps to implement projects that advance the state’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating flood risk and preparing for extreme weather. In support of these projects, the DEC has granted more than $50,000,000 to municipalities.
Capital Region grant recipients
- Albany was awarded $2,000,000 for the BrevatorComplete Street Project. The project will provide new pedestrian and bicycle facilities, decrease traffic speeds, and create a Bus Rapid Transit service that will connect to nearby educational and job centers. The City of Albany, CDTA, and other agencies will reduce vehicle trips, greenhouse gases emissions, and make walking and bicycling safer.
- Albany County received $15,000 to update its greenhouse gas inventories: The county will update its government operations and community greenhouse gases inventories in order to inform policymaking, climate mitigation and capital investments.
- Hunter was awarded $1.970,000 for its relocation of the firehouse. The village will move the village fire station 0.15 mile from the current site, outside of the regulatory floodway. The existing fire station is being demolished and replaced by a municipal park that has streamside access.
- Glenville was awarded $610 380 for the Van Buren Road Trail. The town will install an asphalt bicycle and pedestrian path of eight feet in Glenville, with painted crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signs. It will connect Glenville Town Center, Anderson Dog Park, Greenway Trails and other existing greenways.
- Cohoes received $460,000 to improve streetscapes. White Street will be improved, which is a mixed-use commercial district in the heart of downtown. It involves the reconstruction of 600 feet of sidewalk and the development of a pocket park with flexible gathering spaces for a wide variety of activities.
- Warren County received $40,000 to implement an organics management strategy. The county will create a plan to evaluate strategies for reducing food wastage and diversion of food waste from landfills to reduce methane release into the atmosphere.
- Niskayuna received $25,000 to conduct greenhouse gas inventories, and develop a government operations climate action plan. The town will make greenhouse gas emissions inventories and create a climate action plan to reduce its government’s emissions.
New York is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050, according to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. More information Information about the grant program can be found on the DEC website.
