New York State Announces $60 Million Grant Program for New Green Infrastructure Projects

Earth Week this year was observed from April 14 to 22 and it came with some big news for New Yorkers. The state announced $60 million for the new Green Resiliency Grant (GRG) Program. GRGs will be awarded on a competitive basis to flood-prone community projects that implement green infrastructure practices, including green roofs, green streets, and permeable pavement. This action is a step forward in the state’s clean water and comprehensive resiliency plan.

New York State is promoting improvements directed at building durable and sustainable infrastructure to provide a first line of defense from extreme weather events to protect communities for generations to come. The funding will advance essential water quality improvement projects across the state and ensure that New York’s public water systems are protected and better prepared to withstand the next severe storm.

Future projects under this grant will provide benefits such as:

• Safer, more resilient communities: mitigating flooding to protect our properties.
• Cleaner water and air: treating stormwater at the source to protect the environment.
• Cooler cities: reducing urban heat island effects to create a more comfortable and temperature-regulated environment.
• Thriving ecosystems: restoring habitats to help bring nature back to communities.
• Vibrant communities: beautification attracts investment and revitalizes communities.

Application Information

The GRG Program is being administered by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC). It is being funded by the NYS Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. The EFC began accepting applications on May 1, 2024. All applications are due by 5 p.m. on August 16, 2024.

Check out the EFC-issued draft eligibility guidelines to see if your project fits the criteria. The guidelines and application can be found here: https://efc.ny.gov/grg.

Summary of the GRG Program

The GRG Program will fund up to 90% of eligible project costs. GRG-eligible projects must have a minimum project cost of $1 million and be capable of capturing, treating, or reducing the time of concentration of stormwater runoff annually. Eligible projects typically include those that address sanitary sewer overflow during extreme weather events by implementing combined green infrastructure and nature-based features.

The NYS Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 requires that disadvantaged communities shall receive no less than 35% of the benefit of total Bond Act funds. As a result, EFC established a 40% goal for the GRG Program, consistent with this Bond Act requirement.

How Walden Can Help

If you have a project that fits the above criteria, Walden’s team of experts in water quality management and grant writing can help you evaluate the grant requirements and assist with the application process. Contact us today at 516-548-2974.