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Cohoes district hears NYSERDA Clean Green Schools presentation; consultants, studies needed for grant applications
Summary
Superintendent and a presenter briefed the board on NYSERDA's Clean Green Schools initiative, outlining application steps, a required energy study and a timetable that includes an RFP in July 2026 and potential application activity in early 2027.
The Cohoes City School District heard a presentation on the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) "Clean Green Schools" initiative during the July 8 meeting, with district staff outlining the application process, costs and an expected timeline.
The superintendent introduced the topic and named presenters expected to work with the district. A presenter described the initiative as an incentive program through NYSERDA and explained the application sequence: an energy study tailored to district goals must be completed, an application for HVAC and related upgrades is prepared and submitted to NYSERDA, and the award process requires a project timeline that aligns payments to completion milestones.
The presenter described the award scale in the meeting record, saying there is "potential for 10,000,000 more per project" and that it is "capped at 15,000,000 per district," adding that "it's actually 5,000,000 per building in multiple buildings up to 10,000,000 in the application." The presenter said the district should issue an RFP for an energy consultant in July 2026 and aim to select a consultant by late August 2026 so the energy study and application work can proceed toward the next application round in early 2027.
Board members asked how consultant and application costs are handled. Presenters said consultant fees can be included in the application and that reimbursement from NYSERDA is tied to submitted drawings and reports, not as an unconditional up-front payment. One board member estimated consultant costs could be on the order of $10,000; presenters stressed the importance of hiring consultants experienced with NYSERDA applications.
Why this matters: If pursued and awarded, NYSERDA funding could reduce local capital costs for HVAC, control and lighting upgrades and shift fuel costs over time. The district must complete a qualifying energy study and meet NYSERDA's application requirements; key deadlines and the competitiveness of rounds could affect whether Cohoes receives funding.
What to watch: The superintendent and presenters said a timely RFP and an experienced consultant will be necessary for a competitive application. The district also noted that NYSERDA has not finalized all round dates, so the timeline could shift.
