Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a $150 million investment to make New York’s public colleges greener and more energy-efficient on Feb. 12.
The new initiative allocates $100 million to SUNY for clean energy projects, including a thermal energy network at SUNY Buffalo, while CUNY will receive $50 million for solar panel installation, energy storage systems and heat pumps to shrink its carbon footprint.
By modernizing campus infrastructure, the funding aims to cut emissions, lower energy costs and position New York’s public colleges as leaders in sustainability throughout the country.
“New York’s higher education institutions play a significant role in leading by example to help advance a cleaner, greener future,” Hochul said.
“The $150 million in new investments from the Environmental Bond Act will allow SUNY and CUNY to take a significant step forward in electrifying campuses and integrating cleaner energy solutions to reduce pollution and help New York’s colleges become more energy efficient.”
Among the CUNY campuses to be funded by the Environmental Bond Act are City College, Brooklyn College and Hunter College.
At City College, parking lot solar canopies and battery storage will help manage energy demand, while new EV chargers make campus transportation more electric-friendly.
Rooftop solar is also coming, along with heat pumps that will make heating and cooling far more efficient in key buildings, cutting back on fossil fuel use.
At Brooklyn College, geothermal energy will provide renewable heating and cooling for the West End Building, a major student hub.
Rooftop solar and EV charging stations installed at William James Hall and West Quad Center will help push the school closer to its goal of an all-electric fleet.
At Hunter, North Hall’s outdated steam system will get a much-needed upgrade. It will be replaced by a new hydronic conversion system, which uses hot and chilled water from a central plant to cut fossil fuel use and create a more sustainable, comfortable space for students.
“By helping CUNY reduce the carbon footprint of our campuses, curb our consumption of fossil fuels and harness our capacity to aid sustainable energy production, Governor Hochul is enabling the University to promote prudent environmental stewardship,” CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez commented on the investment into environmental sustainability.
“The Environmental Bond Act investments announced today will help CUNY play a key role in the development of a resilient, responsible, and resourceful New York.”
As New York City moves toward cleaner energy, CUNY’s efforts demonstrate how colleges can implement similar strategies
