The state DEC has announced more than $16 million in Climate Smart Communities Grant awards to municipalities statewide, the largest allocation in the program’s history. Funded through the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022, the grants will support projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating flood risks, and enhancing community resilience to climate change.
Interim DEC Commissioner Sean Mahar highlighted the program’s significance in advancing the state’s climate goals. “Municipalities that participate in the Climate Smart Communities Grant program are taking local climate action to reduce pollution and protect New Yorkers from severe weather and other climate impacts,” Mahar said. “Reducing harmful emissions while advancing climate equity in communities statewide is critical to improving health and quality of life for residents.”
Since its establishment in 2016, the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program has funded efforts to support adaptation, mitigation, and resilience at the local level. The current round of awards, part of Round XIV of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, will help advance emission-reduction targets outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act).
Among the recipients is the City of Canandaigua, awarded $84,000 to conduct a climate vulnerability assessment (CVA) for the Sucker Brook Watershed. The project aims to address severe flooding experienced in the area by analyzing flood risks, designing upland flood resilience projects, and recommending regulatory changes to strengthen floodplain management.
“These grants are an important investment in our communities, equipping them to face climate challenges while building healthier and more resilient environments,” Mahar added.
The DEC’s partnerships with municipal leaders and community members continue to drive progress toward a greener and more sustainable future for New York.
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