Competition Advances Zero-Carbon Multifamily Buildings in New York State and Continues Early-Stage Design Support for Design Teams and Developers

July 19, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $10 million in funding is now available under Round Four of the $58 million Buildings of Excellence Competition, which aims to advance zero-carbon multifamily buildings in New York. This round provides financial awards and recognition for the design and construction of resilient, climate- friendly buildings that are healthier for residents. This one-of-a-kind competition advances Governor Hochul's goal to achieve two million climate-friendly homes by 2030 and supports the State's nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050.

"New York is fully committed to fighting climate change on all fronts, and we are providing the necessary support to create energy-efficient multifamily homes through the continuation of the Buildings of Excellence Competition," Governor Hochul said. "This unique competition is driving real change within our buildings sector, creating low-carbon structures in communities across New York that will lead to a stronger and healthier state for all."

The Buildings of Excellence Competition is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and with today's announcement, proposals are being accepted for early-stage design projects from developers and their design teams that integrate carbon neutral features into pre-schematic and schematic design phases, and lead to the cost-effective construction and completion of exemplary multi-family buildings. In an expansion from previous years, Round Four of the competition will be open to applicants across New York State.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "Launching the fourth round of the Buildings of Excellence Competition demonstrates Governor Hochul's commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring our building stock is cleaner throughout New York. This significant investment creates healthier living spaces and communities for all New Yorkers, while driving down harmful emissions from buildings, which is one of our highest contributing sectors - and pushes us forward on our path to achieving two million climate friendly homes by 2030."

Senator Kevin Parker, Chair of the NYS Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, said, "We know buildings are the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in New York State. NYSERDA's Buildings of Excellence Competition is an example of how we can achieve our Climate Act goals through projects that reduce emissions in buildings while delivering benefits to New Yorkers living in affordable housing."

Proposals to the Competition's solicitation for demonstration projects will be accepted through Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 3:00 PM. Applications to secure Early Design Support will be accepted continuously through June 28, 2024, at 3:00 PM. For more information on this funding opportunity, please visit NYSERDA's website. NYSERDA will also hold an informational webinar on Tuesday July 25, 2023, starting at 10:00 AM. Participants will have the opportunity to submit written questions to the presenters in advance or during the webinar and should complete this form to receive an invitation for the listed session and to be notified of additional informational webinars that may be scheduled.

Launched in 2019, the Competition provides financial award and recognition for the design, construction, and operation of resilient, climate friendly buildings that offer predictable revenue and costs. With the support of industry experts, the Competition revolutionizes the new construction and adaptive reuse of multifamily housing and mixed-use buildings by demonstrating that they can be built cost-competitively as compared to traditional fossil-fuel dependent dwellings.

Additionally, the Competition prioritizes housing and energy affordability, supporting the Climate Act's goal to ensure that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments support disadvantaged communities. 56 exemplary new construction and adaptive reuse projects were awarded in the first three rounds of the Competition - and more than two-thirds of these high-performing new construction buildings serve affordable housing markets with 30 being located in Disadvantaged Communities. Of those awarded, eight projects have completed construction and an additional 20 are currently in construction.

Buildings are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in New York State, responsible for more than a third of annual emissions statewide. Integrating energy efficiency and electrification measures in new and existing buildings will reduce carbon pollution and help achieve modernized, healthy, and comfortable buildings. Through NYSERDA and utility programs, over $6.8 billion is being invested to decarbonize buildings to achieve the State's goals, including NYSERDA's more than $150 million investment in new construction, adaptive reuse, and gut rehab projects in the multifamily building sector for both market rate and low- to moderate-income properties.

Funding for this program is provided through the State's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and $6 billion Clean Energy Fund. More information about the Competition and associated funding can be found on NYSERDA's website.

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation's most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2021 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York's climate action with nearly 400 registered and 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State's largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.