The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced that $1 million is available to large real estate portfolio owners to support operation of net zero buildings. The money is available through a pilot program and is meant to benefit real estate developers, colleges and universities, retailers, public sector agencies, and other private, public, or non-profit entities.

The goal of the program is to support the development of energy performance standards and institutional mechanisms to enable the design, construction, and operation of net zero buildings across statewide portfolios. Net zero energy buildings consume no more energy, on an annual basis, than they produce onsite through renewable energy technologies. The announcement supports Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030.

“As we move toward achieving Governor Cuomo’s energy goals, encouraging large private, public, and non-profit entities to pursue net zero energy performance early in the design process is critically important to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our building stock,” said Alicia Barton, president and CEO of NYSERDA. “Lowering harmful emissions through net zero energy performance buildings results in cleaner communities and helps protect the environment — a win-win for all.”

This Net Zero Energy pilot program is part of NYSERDA’s approach to support the design and construction industry as it moves to net zero energy and net zero carbon construction, renovation, and operations. Designed to help developers embrace net zero initiatives, the program aims to help support advanced high-performance building development methods and technologies while creating a group of institutions that publicly commit to adopting these practices.

To spur net zero energy performance across the state, NYSERDA, on a first come first served basis, will provide each approved applicant with a maximum amount of $250,000 towards technical guidance to be provided by a consultant with expertise in net zero building design and construction. Approved applicants will also receive help with identifying other NYSERDA programs that can offer additional financial and technical assistance for the construction projects themselves. Those businesses and institutions awarded funding will serve as an example for others to follow by demonstrating the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of net zero buildings.

 For more information, go here.