By Joseph Labernik

September 3, 2018

COOPERSTOWN — Temperature control systems might be getting cleaner as a result of state funding directed toward reducing greenhouse gases.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority announced last week as part of the Clean Heating and Cooling Community Campaign that they had awarded $2 million to eight organizations to promote clean heating and cooling systems.

About $300,000 of that money will be split into two fronts: providing incentives to low-to-moderate income homeowners and a “demonstration project to convert an existing multifamily apartment building to a geothermal system.”

“This is certainly the wave of the future,” said Chris Carrick, energy program manager with the CNY RPDC. “The state has some pretty strong policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the building heating and cooling is the largest chunk of that.”

The final $50,000 will be used for workforce development, Carrick added.

Other recipients of the money are the City of Rochester, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Energy Improvement Corp., Sustainable Westchester, Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition and Solar Tomkins, Inc.

The incentives attempt to fulfill the Reforming the Energy Vision policy, which was launched in 2014 by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The policy attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from 1990 levels. It also intends to power 50 percent of the state from renewable energy resources.

NYSERDA previously made $15 million in rebates available for the installation of ground source heat pump systems for residences, businesses and institutions, and $10 million to install air-source heat pump systems for residences.

“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 is a pillar of Gov. Cuomo’s clean energy strategy to fight climate change and engage all New Yorkers in the clean energy economy,” said Sue Gold, senior manager of communications for NYSERDA. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is critical to protecting the health and welfare of New Yorkers while stewarding our environment and reaching the longer-term goal of decreasing total carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050.”