Statewide - Eligibility Guidelines for Food Security and Refrigeration Grant Program
Public Notice
Eligibility Guidelines for Food Security and Refrigeration Grant Program
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) developed the following eligibility guidelines to implement funding under the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 (Bond Act). In order to achieve and advance climate change mitigation goals identified in the Bond Act, specifically those found in §58-0701, NYS DEC will use Bond Act funds to bolster food security in disadvantaged communities through funding to support the phaseout of harmful refrigerants emissions currently used by corner markets and grocery stores etc.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are potent greenhouse gases often used in refrigeration and cooling equipment and have a global warming potential (GWP) - a metric that measures the ability of gases to trap heat in the atmosphere - hundreds to thousands of times higher than carbon dioxide. State, federal, and international requirements and initiatives are working to reduce HFC emissions and their disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged communities by replacing these gases with natural and equally effective refrigerants.
The average supermarket leaks thousands of pounds of HFCs every year. To help stores making this important transition, NYS DEC will work with a not-for-profit program administrator to provide grants using Bond Act funds for capital projects that replace existing HFC refrigeration equipment with equipment that uses natural refrigerants with ultra-low or zero GWP. Replacing HFC equipment now will help businesses avoid rising HFC refrigerant costs and continue to serve their communities while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Bond Act requires that disadvantaged communities shall receive no less than 35 percent, with the goal of 40 percent, of the benefit of total Bond Act funds ($4.2 billion). The term disadvantaged communities shall mean the same definition approved by the Climate Justice Working Group under the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act: https://climate.ny.gov/Resources/Disadvantaged-Communities-Criteria. All projects supported through this program that phase out high GWP HFCs and support natural refrigerants will be in facilities that provide benefits to disadvantaged communities.
Eligible projects include:
- Projects to replace full or partial refrigeration systems that use HFCs with refrigeration products or systems that contain natural refrigerants (natural refrigerants include carbon dioxide, ammonia, and propane).
- Projects must benefit a disadvantaged community and demonstrate a commitment to food security in the community.
- Project beneficiaries should demonstrate a commitment to ensuring residents of the local community have access to fresh food.
- Projects will be located at facility types including but not limited to existing food retail stores, food banks, food hubs, or other facilities that serve food security purposes.
Eligible project costs include HFC refrigerant system replacements, which may include planning and design, equipment purchase, and installation. Projects that host free workforce training events related to the operation and maintenance of the new equipment will be prioritized for funding.
Public comments on the guidelines are to be submitted in writing to the contact listed below and will be accepted until Friday, July 26, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.