Governor Hochul Announces $100 Million in Funding to Decarbonize Empire State Plaza in Albany

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $100 million for the first phase of the Empire State Plaza’s decarbonization, as outlined in the Empire State Plaza Energy Infrastructure Master Plan. Released today, the Empire State Plaza Energy Infrastructure Master Plan outlines a phased approach to reducing the environmental impacts of downtown operations at the state and local levels. This critical funding will support the electrification of existing steam chillers, implementation of energy efficiency improvements, and installation of a new heat recovery chiller. These phase one improvements will result in an approximately 20 percent reduction in Empire State Plaza’s greenhouse gas emissions.

New York State is leading the way in its emissions reduction efforts, making significant investments to decarbonize our agency's buildings and operations. Governor Hochul saidMy administration remains committed to leading the fight against climate change and aligning our investments to build a cleaner, greener New York.

Previous energy efficiency work at the Empire State Plaza included electrifying one of the Plaza’s five steam chillers, installing energy-efficient LED interior and exterior lighting systems, and the ongoing replacement of existing backup generators at the Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant with efficient, low-emission, low-noise units. These investments have reduced emissions associated with the Plaza’s operations. Building on this work, ESP’s Energy Infrastructure Master Plan provides a path forward for the complete decarbonization of the Empire State Plaza.

Jeanette Moy, Commissioner of the Office of General Services, said: Decarbonizing the Empire State Plaza is a significant opportunity that will allow us to combine modernizing the energy systems of this iconic landmark in New York State’s capital with addressing decades of long-overdue maintenance. OGS is proud to continue working with NYPA on this transformative initiative and the long-term execution of the Empire State Plaza Energy Infrastructure Master Plan.

NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said: The New York Power Authority is pleased to continue its collaboration with OGS to modernize and decarbonize the energy infrastructure at the Empire State Plaza, one of the state’s largest government facilities. These energy efficiency and electrification projects demonstrate how states can lead the transition to a clean energy economy and support the bold vision of Governor Hochul’s national climate agenda.

The Empire State Plaza sits on 98 acres of land in Albany, New York, and consists of 14 major buildings and includes approximately 12 million square feet of government office space, event space, and public spaces. The Empire State Plaza is heated by the Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant and receives cooling from the Central Air Conditioning Plant.

Although commissioned prior to the adoption of the NYPA-administered Decarbonization Leadership Program (DLP), the Empire State Plaza Energy Infrastructure Master Plan lays the foundation for the Empire State Plaza DLP Decarbonization Action Plan. These plans, similar to the recently released ESP Energy Infrastructure Master Plan, guide state agencies on facility improvements that will reduce carbon emissions in support of the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, a flagship initiative.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Sean Mahar said: Decarbonizing buildings is a critical component of achieving the greenhouse gas reductions needed to meet New York’s climate goals. This new investment in Empire State Plaza builds on Governor Hochul’s broad sustainability initiatives that are helping DEC, OGS, and our agency and authority partners lead by example in reducing the environmental impact of operations, increasing efficiency, and taking action to mitigate climate impacts. I commend the OGS and NYPA teams for working with DEC experts to design this new system.

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, said: I commend Governor Hochul for her continued support of the state’s efforts to decarbonize public workspaces and provide a healthy, comfortable environment for New Yorkers visiting Empire State Plaza. This investment further demonstrates New York’s leadership in rethinking how we design and power our buildings to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

State Senator Neil D. Breslin said: The electrification of the existing steam chillers, along with other various improvements to the energy distribution systems, is an important step toward decarbonizing the Empire State Plaza. This is a great example of how New York can play a leadership role in making our state carbon neutral. I commend Governor Hochul, the New York Power Authority, and the Office of General Services for their unwavering commitment to help ensure we achieve the stated goals of the CLCPA.

Rep. John T. McDonald III, RPh, said: This financial commitment to decarbonize the Empire State Plaza complex is welcome news and part of a well-developed and larger comprehensive plan. It is important to note that the Empire State Plaza is part of a much larger complex and the overall project is a tremendous undertaking. Because I believe that as we move toward the goals of the CLCPA, New York must lead by example. What better way to demonstrate our commitment to a renewable future than by starting with our state buildings. Thank you to Governor Hochul, the Office of General Services, and the New York Power Authority for taking this step toward what will be a multi-year effort to implement the goals of the Empire State Energy Infrastructure Master Plan.”

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said: The Empire State Plaza Energy Infrastructure Master Plan is a commitment to sustainability that helps us chart a path toward a greener, more carbon-neutral future. I commend Governor Hochul, the New York State Office of General Services, and the New York Power Authority for their continued investment in energy efficiency, particularly at this community asset located in the heart of Albany County.

Gary LaBarbera, President of the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council, said: Decarbonizing the Empire State Plaza reaffirms New York’s commitment to pursuing the prescriptive climate goals set by the CLCPA, which will also create countless union careers that support families across the Capital Region. This and other clean energy transitions are critical to our state’s future, laying the foundation for our green economy, effectively reducing harmful carbon emissions, and providing hardworking New Yorkers with accessible pathways to the middle class. We applaud Governor Hochul, the Office of General Services, and NYPA for this investment that will improve our environment for generations to come.

ALIGN Executive Director Theodor A. Moore said: Our government offices should be a model of sustainability for the rest of the state, and decarbonizing the Empire State Plaza is a major step forward. We applaud Governor Hochul for this important investment that will create good green jobs and a safe and healthy Capitol as we work to achieve our ambitious climate mandates.

Jon Furlong, NYLCV's Clean Buildings Campaign Director, said: The New York League of Conservation Voters applauds the Office of General Services and the NY Power Authority for reaching this critical milestone toward decarbonizing such a large facility. We look forward to working with the State on additional decarbonization plans for the large number of buildings in its portfolio.

Allison Considine, Senior Director of Campaigns and Communications at the Building Decarbonization Coalition, said: The Building Decarbonization Coalition applauds Governor Hochul, OGS, and NYPA for this exciting step forward in decarbonizing the Empire State Plaza and implementing the Decarbonization Leadership Agenda. The Empire State Plaza Energy Infrastructure Master Plan demonstrates that New York State can lead the way in decarbonizing buildings by using thermal energy networks to transition its public facilities to zero-emission heating and cooling while creating union jobs. BDC looks forward to continuing to partner with NYPA and state leaders on the next phases of this project, as well as plans to decarbonize other high-emitting public facilities. By implementing these plans using thermal energy networks, New York can reduce pollution, help avoid costly upgrades to the electric grid, and meet its climate goals.

Julie Tighe, president of the League of Conservation Voters of New York, said: Buildings are one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. If we are to combat the climate crisis and meet our CLCPA obligations, there is no better place to start than decarbonizing the state’s largest facilities, like the Empire State Plaza. We applaud Governor Hochul for leading this effort and ensuring that this New York landmark is a shining example of the state’s clean energy future.

Read it Empire State Plaza Comprehensive Energy Infrastructure Master Plan.