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ALBANY–The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has selected 14 Constituency-Based Organizations (CBO) and coalitions of constituency-based organizations across the state to conduct grassroots outreach to encourage energy efficiency improvements and participation in training opportunities for green jobs.
The awards announced today represent $5.15 million of the $6 million allocated for constituency-based outreach through Green Jobs-Green New York (GJGNY), a program created by the New York State Legislature to significantly increase the number of energy efficiency improvements in the state while creating green jobs.
To address gaps in regional coverage from this first set of awards, NYSERDA plans to issue a second competitive solicitation for the remaining funds in June.
The CBOs will work at a grassroots level to educate the public about and spur requests for free and reduced-cost “whole house” energy assessments, audits for buildings used by small businesses and not-for-profit organizations, low-cost financing for energy efficiency improvements and participation in green job training opportunities.
While GJGNY opportunities are available statewide, the CBOs will reach out to homeowners, small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and multifamily building owners in their regions. They will also work closely with local training organizations to help unemployed and disadvantaged workers start on a path to new careers right in their communities.
“We are excited about working with our new constituency-based partners to expand our outreach and training efforts under Green Jobs Green New York,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “This very localized approach will help NYSERDA reach people that we may not have reached otherwise. We’re trying something new that we believe will have a great impact in getting people to make their homes and businesses more energy-efficient.”
NYSERDA received 24 proposals from CBOs. Seven awards were made in Upstate regions (Western New York, Southern Tier, North Country, Central New York, Capital Region and Finger Lakes). Eight were made in downstate regions (Bronx, Kings, Queens and Richmond, New York, Mid-Hudson and Westchester, and Long Island).
