New York offers $22 million in climate grants to local governments

New York State is offering $22 million in new grant funding to help municipalities combat climate change, reduce pollution, and improve community resilience, the Department of Environmental Conservation announced this week.

The funding, made available through the Climate Smart Communities Grant Program, will support a wide range of local projects, including those aimed at reducing flood risk, food waste, and emissions from transportation and refrigeration. Municipalities must apply by July 31 to be considered for grants.

“DEC’s Climate Smart Communities grants enable municipalities to take meaningful actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect clean air, and reduce risks to their communities from flooding and other climate impacts,” said DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “Reducing harmful emissions while advancing climate equity in communities statewide is critical to improving health and quality of life for New Yorkers.”

The initiative is supported by the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and the Environmental Protection Fund, which reached a record $425 million in the latest state budget. Since launching in 2016, the grant program has awarded more than $87 million to support local climate efforts.

This year’s round of funding includes $21 million for implementation grants ranging from $50,000 to $2 million, with eligible projects targeting emissions reduction, extreme weather resilience, and natural preservation. An additional $1 million is set aside for planning grants of $10,000 to $200,000 tied to greenhouse gas tracking, transportation planning, and climate adaptation.

Most applicants must provide a 50 percent local match, but projects in financially distressed or disadvantaged communities may receive up to 80 percent in state funding.

The Climate Smart Communities program is a joint effort led by DEC and supported by several state agencies, including the Energy Research and Development Authority and the Department of Transportation. Since its creation in 2009, 440 local governments representing half the state’s population have joined by pledging to cut emissions and build climate resilience.

Applications can be submitted through the state’s Consolidated Funding Application, which streamlines access to multiple economic development grants through one portal.