EFC President and C.E.O. Matthew J. Driscoll will host a “Meet the President” webcast on March 8th from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm.  Mr. Driscoll will discuss and answer viewer questions about the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) in 2010, including:

·        Recent Increases in Funding to the CWSRF
o       $736 million available to CWSRF applicants
o       $112 million in principal forgiveness
o       Getting new projects listed for 2011
 
·        2010 Green Innovation Grant Program
o       $15 million available for 2010
o       Application Process

Send your questions to  press@nysefc.org  no later than Friday, March 5th.  You may view the webcast at  www.nysefc.org/webcasts  on March 8th.
 
Thank You,
The NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation
 

The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) has announced the availability of approximately $45 million in funding for the NYS Community Development Block Grant http://nysdhcr.gov/Programs/NYS-CDBG/ (NYS CDBG) and New York Main Street http://nysdhcr.gov/Programs/NYMainStreet/ (NYMS) programs.
Brian Lawlor http://nysdhcr.gov/AboutUs/Lawlor.htm, Acting Commissioner of DHCR, said "We have had tremendous success in every region of New York State creating jobs, providing affordable housing and revitalizing downtown business districts with our NYS CDBG and NY Main Street programs. The funds we are making available will help local governments and not-for-profits provide essential services and economic opportunities to the residents of New York State."

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will soon issue the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program which will provide funding for small municipalities to implement energy efficiency, renewable energy, efficient transportation systems, material conservation, and energy management personnel projects.  To apply for this program, municipalities will need an energy study/audit upon which to base their application.  It is strongly recommended that municipalities prepare for application by locating an existing energy study/audit or conducting an energy study/audit as soon as possible.  It can take several weeks for a study/audit to be completed.

For municipalities who pay the Systems Benefit Charge (SBC), there are NYSERDA programs that may be used to assist with obtaining an energy study/audit.  The SBC charge is paid by electric distribution customers of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, National Grid, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric.  Information on the following programs is available on NYSERDA's website.

• Energy Audit Program: For facilities with less than $75,000 in annual electric bills, this program can identify effective cost-saving measures for buildings and facilities.
• Flex Tech Program:  Applicants can select from a list of NYSERDA's pre-qualified contractors to perform an energy study.  NYSERDA will provide a 50/50 cost share up to $500,000.
• Technical Assistance Program:  Applicants can select their own contractor to perform an energy study.  NYSERDA will provide a 50/50 cost share up to $500,000 on selected studies over five years.

Municipalities who do not pay the SBC charge will need to contact their electric distribution provider for information on available assistance programs.  NYSERDA's clearinghouse website has links to New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) programs which may benefit local government.

For more information on the EECBG, visit the NYSERDA - Economic Recovery and Energy - Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Home page.

$3 million in grant funds available for Water Quality Improvement Projects (WQIP) under the New York City Watershed Program.  Applications are being accepted on a continuous basis.

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