Plan for the $1 Billion Sustainable Future Program Supporting Climate Action and Jobs

NYS $1B Sustainable Program Supporting Climate Action and Jobs

September 24, 2025

Major Investment will Advance Clean Energy, Cut Emissions, and Expand Green Infrastructure Statewide

Governor Hochul today, while participating in the U.S Climate Alliance’s roundtable, announced the next steps for her landmark $1 billion Sustainable Future Program to accelerate capital projects in New York's transition to a cleaner, greener future. This historic investment will create good-paying jobs, lower energy costs for New Yorkers, and slash harmful emissions in the face of federal rollbacks.

“New York is a national leader in climate action, and we're proving that we can build a thriving green economy while protecting our planet,” Governor Hochul said. “While others may retreat, we are doubling down. The $1 billion investment from our Sustainable Future Program will directly benefit New Yorkers by making our homes more energy-efficient, our schools healthier, and our communities more resilient. We are creating jobs, improving public health, and ensuring a just and affordable transition for every community.”

The $1 billion Sustainable Future Program, announced in this year’s State of the State, is the largest climate investment in New York’s history. Today’s announcement allocates funding to key areas of the state's climate plan to help make the transition more affordable for all New Yorkers.

Empowering New Yorkers with Energy Efficiency
$50 million will be allocated to the EmPower+ program to provide low- and moderate-income residents with no-cost home energy assessments and energy efficiency upgrades. NYSERDA will focus this funding on heat pump installations, a key technology for reducing reliance on fossil fuels in residential heating and cooling.

Greening Our Schools
$50 million will be used to help under-resourced public schools across the state decarbonize their building portfolios. This investment will improve indoor air quality for students and staff and reduce the schools’ carbon footprint.

Investing in Thermal Energy Networks
$200 million is dedicated to expanding thermal energy networks, which use a system of pipes to share heating and cooling resources among multiple buildings. This funding will support projects at municipal and State-owned buildings, and will specifically include several projects within the State University of New York (SUNY) system:

• SUNY Purchase: $50 million to design and construct the first phase of a thermal energy network and establish a framework for future geothermal systems on campus.

• State University of New York at Buffalo: $68 million to design and build energy hubs and thermal energy networks, phasing out fossil fuel-based systems and replacing them with on-site electrical systems.

• State University of New York at Stony Brook: $22 million to design and construct thermal energy systems at two buildings on campus.

Audio Photos

Making The Transition To Clean Energy More Affordable for Homeowners and Small Buildings
$150 million will support the launch of a new Green Small Buildings Program, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) to assist eligible homes with making energy-efficient upgrades, including heat pumps.

Expanding Clean Transportation Infrastructure
To accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, Governor Hochul announced several significant investments:

• $100 million for zero-emission school buses and their supporting infrastructure.

• At least $50 million to support medium- and heavy-duty vehicle charging, including $15 million for depot charging for fleets and $35 million for shared "charging hubs" at distribution centers and ports.

• At least $50 million to provide rebates for EV charging stations at workplaces, multifamily buildings, and large public sector organizations, making charging more affordable and accessible.

Accelerating Renewable Energy Projects
$200 million will be provided to the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to finance multiple renewable energy generation projects. This funding will help reduce ratepayers costs as NYPA continues to build new renewables to power New York State.

Any further funding details regarding the Sustainable Future Program will be announced at a later date, as New York is committed to making strategic, high-impact investments that will benefit all New Yorkers.

“While others may retreat, we are doubling down. The $1 billion investment from our Sustainable Future Program will directly benefit New Yorkers by making our homes more energy-efficient, our schools healthier, and our communities more resilient."

Governor Kathy Hochul

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Governor Hochul has made clear her commitment to supporting generational investments like the Sustainable Future Program to foster an improved quality of life for all New Yorkers. Cleaning the air we breathe while lowering energy costs by advancing renewable energy projects, zero-emission transportation options and energy efficient building upgrades provides communities across the state with a critical foundation for a sustainable future.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Governor Hochul is making nation-leading investments to meaningfully fight climate change and make a future truly sustainable in New York. This landmark $1 billion Sustainable Future Program is supporting New York’s transition to an affordable and accessible green future that will offer relief for homeowners, create clean energy jobs, and reduce pollution statewide.”

New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “The Power Authority is advancing the largest portfolio of utility-scale, clean energy generation in decades, and the Sustainable Future Program will help us move viable projects to fruition. When we build projects, alone or in partnership, we must consider capital costs, long-term maintenance, fuels costs and financing. The Governor’s investment in renewable projects from the sustainability fund will enable us to be shovel-ready sooner on priority projects.”

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “The critical investments being made through the Sustainable Future Program will deliver the best of both worlds – it will develop important pathways to long-term sustainability and will make New York more affordable for the residents and businesses here today. At HCR, we’re excited the $150 million allocated to create the Green Small Buildings Program will allow eligible homeowners and renters to benefit from new heating systems that improve efficiency and reduce energy costs. We thank Governor Hochul for her continued efforts to combat climate change by championing programs that will ensure a greener future for all of New York State.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY remains committed to helping Governor Hochul achieve the state’s climate goals, and thanks to her investment we will be able to transition the State University of New York at Buffalo, SUNY Purchase, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook to more efficient and sustainable energy sources. This funding will help SUNY meet its goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions and ensure students will have a brighter, more sustainable future.”

New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said, “We support Governor Hochul’s commitment to accelerating the State’s clean energy goals, a move that not only creates good-paying jobs and lowers energy costs but also significantly benefits hardworking New Yorkers. As we transition to a greener economy, we must invest in our workforce, particularly by ensuring that New York's clean energy and climate projects are built, operated, maintained, repaired, and manufactured by workers who earn good wages and enjoy the benefits and protections guaranteed by union contracts.”

New York State Building Trades President Gary LaBarbera said, “If New York is going to successfully establish a strong green economy that equips us to meet our climate and energy goals, we must ensure we are creating good paying union careers that will give more hardworking people the opportunity to pursue the middle class and reinvest in their communities. Investments like the Sustainable Future Fund, which embeds apprenticeship programs, project labor agreements, and prevailing wage requirements into projects at the core of the state's clean energy transition, are crucial to these efforts. We applaud Governor Hochul for continuing to push forward these initiatives that bolster our sustainable future and improve the lives of countless New Yorkers, including our tradesmen and tradeswomen.”

New York Director for the Building Decarbonization Coalition Lisa Dix said, “Governor Hochul is showing how states can lead by example. New York’s $1 billion Sustainable Future Program is a critical step toward a healthier and more equitable future, lowering energy costs for families and creating thousands of good jobs. The Building Decarbonization Coalition strongly supports funding for Thermal Energy Networks, weatherization, heat pumps, and the EmPower+ program, which will cut emissions and expand access to clean energy. We look forward to continued collaboration with Governor Hochul to advance these critical programs,”

Climate Jobs NY Executive Director Esther Rosario said, “Governor Hochul’s Sustainable Future Program is a transformative investment in New York’s clean energy future. These resources will cut emissions, create good union jobs, and lower energy costs for families. From Thermal Energy Networks to expanded NYPA renewable energy funding and support for EmPower+, these investments move us closer to a healthier, more affordable, and more resilient New York. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership at a time when clean energy investments are under attack, and for advancing a bold vision for our state’s future.”

New York League of Conservation Voters Julie Tighe said, “While the federal government retreats from its commitments, New York is stepping up by investing in clean air, good-paying jobs, and healthier communities. From heat pumps in our homes to clean rides for kids, from boosting renewables and funding cutting edge thermal energy networks, the Sustainable Future Fund delivers real, bold action for New Yorkers. We applaud Governor Hochul for showing the country what strong state leadership looks like.”

Evergreen Action Vice President for States Justin Balik said, “In the face of federal retrenchment, it’s clear that we’ll be looking to states for leadership on solving our most pressing challenges. These investments will lower costs and cut pollution, delivering tangible and meaningful benefits to New Yorkers across the state. This move by Governor Hochul sets a strong foundation to build on going forward.”

Trucking Association of New York President Kendra Hems said, “The trucking industry is fully committed to sustainability. From adopting low sulfur diesel, to meeting and exceeding EPA emission standards, to investing in cleaner fuels like CNG and renewable diesel, our industry has consistently championed initiatives that reduce emissions and improve air quality. Incorporating electric trucks in the applications where they make the most sense is an important step forward. But to make electrification successful, we need our government partners to invest in the infrastructure that will support it. That’s why we applaud today’s announcement allocating dedicated funding for medium- and heavy-duty truck charging in New York State. This investment represents a critical milestone toward building a cleaner, more efficient freight system while ensuring the reliability our economy depends on.”

Assemblymember Didi Barrett said “When we established the Sustainable Futures Fund in the budget, it was with a recognition that New York State must provide the resources necessary to help people, communities, schools and not for profits across the state lower their carbon footprint. I am pleased that the Sustainable Futures Fund will include support for the essential EmPower+ Program, which has helped thousands of New Yorkers decarbonize their homes, as well as critical funding to decarbonize our schools, expand thermal energy networks, and accelerate renewable energy projects.”

Thomas Smith, President, New York School Bus Contractors Association said, “The New York School Bus Contractors Association is pleased to see New York State’s continued commitment to clean transportation. The additional funding through the Sustainable Futures Fund is a critical step forward in making electrification a reality. We’re proud to support efforts that move our industry toward a cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable future for students across the state.”