The Peru Gazette

Funding for Communities Supports Local Climate Action to Reduce Emissions, Improve Air Quality, and Increase Resilience

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced at least $18 million now available under the Climate Smart Communities Grant program to help municipalities take action to address climate change. Eligible projects help reduce flooding and protect critical infrastructure, support decreasing transportation emissions through cycling and walkability projects, reduce emissions from food waste and landfills, and undertake feasibility studies to advance climate projects. The funding is part of the millions of dollars now available through the Consolidated Funding Application recently announced by Governor Kathy Hochul for more than 20 programs to facilitate projects that advance regional strategic plans and State priorities.

Funding for the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program is supported by the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and the State’s Environmental Protection Fund. Since the CSC Grant program’s inception in 2016, DEC has awarded more than $109 million to municipalities in support of local climate mitigation and adaptation projects.

Applications for CSC grants are submitted via the Consolidated Funding Application; see DEC’s website for more details. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026. Applications will not be accepted after that date and time.

As part of the program, municipalities are required to provide a local match of 50% of the total costs for most projects. For communities that meet the criteria for financial hardship or for projects that are located in disadvantaged communities, the match may be lowered to 20%.

At least $17 million is available for grants of between $35,000 and $2 million for implementation projects related to the following topics, among others:

• Reducing vehicle miles travelled (VMT)
• Reducing food waste in landfills
• Reducing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions from refrigeration and cooling equipment
• Increasing natural resiliency through restoration or preservation of natural features
• Reducing future flood risks, including by relocating or retrofitting critical infrastructure
• Preparing for extreme heat and extreme weather events
• Renewable energy projects in municipal facilities
• Engineering feasibility studies for flood risk reduction, refrigerant management, and smart growth analysis.

In addition, up to $1 million is available for grants of between $10,000 and $200,000 for planning, inventory, and assessment projects that are aligned with certain Climate Smart Communities Certification actions in the areas of greenhouse gas mitigation, transportation, climate adaptation, and land use.

Updates to CSC Grant Program
DEC recently announced revisions expanding the number of entities eligible to receive grants under Climate Smart Community Projects, including local public authorities, local public benefit corporations, and Indian Nations, consistent with the Environmental Conservation Law. Expanded eligibility will allow for additional entities to apply for funding and help to ensure increased participation among disadvantaged communities. Visit DEC’s website for more information.