2026_CSCG_RFA_Final.pdf

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REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

2026 Climate Smart Communities Grant Program

Apply through the Consolidated Funding Application https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/index.cfm

Application Due Date: 4:00 p.m. ET, July 31, 2026

Climate Smart Communities Grant Program

Contents

1. Program Description

2. Question and Answer Period

3. Disadvantaged Communities

4. Eligibility

4.1 Eligible Applicants

4.2 Ineligible Applicants

4.3 Eligible Timeline

4.4 Eligible Projects:

5. Project Category Details and Requirements

5.1 Certification Project Category

5.1.1 Funding Levels

5.1.2 Match Requirements

5.1.3 Certification Actions Eligible for Funding

5.2 Implementation Category

5.2.1 Funding Levels

5.2.2 Match Requirements

5.2.3 GHG Mitigation Projects

5.2.4 Climate Adaptation Projects

5.2.5 Feasibility Studies and Engineering Design

6. Eligible and Ineligible Project Expenses

6.1 Reimbursable Expenses

6.2 Eligible Expenses for Match

6.2.1 In-kind Match

6.2.2 Cash Match

6.3 Ineligible Expenses

7. Application Criteria, Terms and Conditions

7.1 Application Authorization

7.2 Statewide Financial System Grants Management (SFS GM) Registration

7.3 Ownership

7.4 Maps

7.5 Work Plan and Budget

7.6 Agreements

7.6.1 Partnership Agreement

7.6.2 Climate Change Mitigation Easement

7.7 Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act

7.8 Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification

7.9 Gender-based Violence and the Workplace Certification

7.10 Executive Order 16

7.11 Coastal Consistency Requirements

7.12 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act 2006

7.13 Secular Purpose

8. Application Review and Scoring

8.1 Eligibility Review

8.2 Detailed Application Review

8.3 Certification Category

8.3.1 Certification Scoring Overview

8.3.2 Certification Scoring Criteria

8.4 Implementation Category

8.4.1 Implementation Scoring Overview

8.4.2 Mitigation Scoring Criteria

8.4.3 Adaptation Scoring Criteria

9. Awards

9.1 New York State Contract for Grants

9.2 Contractual Requirements

9.2.1 Minority Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Goals

9.2.2 Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) Goals

9.2.3 Green Products Procurement

9.2.4 Insurance Requirements

9.2.5 Acknowledgment of Financial Support

9.2.6 Metrics and Reporting

9.2.7 Agreements

9.2.8 30-day Notice

9.2.9 Procurement of Contractors/Subcontractors

9.2.10 State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) Documentation

9.2.11 Historic Preservation Review Requirements

9.2.12 Iran Divestment Act

9.2.13 Permit Requirements

9.2.14 Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire

9.2.15 Access for Individuals with Disabilities

9.3 Reimbursement

10. Debriefing

11. Protest Procedure

12. Reserved Rights

13. Attachments

13.1 Attachment A: Resolution Template

13.2 Attachment B: Median Household Income Determination Instructions

13.3 Attachment C: List of Municipalities that Contain Disadvantaged Community Populations . 58

13.4 Attachment D: Using DECinfo Locator to Identify Disadvantaged Communities Within Municipalities

13.5 Attachment E – Office of the State Comptroller Environmental Stress Rating List

13.6 Attachment F – Climate Change Mitigation Easement Template

13.7 Attachment G - Climate Change Data and Resources

1. Program Description The New York State (NYS) Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC or Department) is pleased to announce the 2026 round of the Climate Smart Communities Grant (CSCG) Program. At least $18 million is available for the 2026 round CSCG program via this request for applications (RFA). Funding for this grant opportunity is provided by the Environmental Protection Fund and the Clean Water, Clear Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and administered pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law Article 54, Title 15 and 6 NYCRR Part 492, Climate Smart Community Projects.

Please note that effective April 1, 2026, the regulations governing the CSCG Program (6 NYCRR Par

492) have been amended. To reflect these changes, this request for application has been updated.

The CSCG program is a competitive grant program for local governments, local public authorities and public benefit corporations, and Indian Nations. The CSCG program provides funding to support the completion of 1) a subset of Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Certification actions that move communities to certification under the CSC Certification program while building a solid foundation from which to take implementation action(s), 2) feasibility and design studies for flood risk reduction projects, conversion of existing refrigeration equipment to natural refrigerants, clean energy systems, and smart growth analysis, 3) greenhouse gas mitigation projects, and 4) adaptation projects that directly address or alleviate the impacts from hazards exacerbated by climate change.

The CSCG program covers up to 80% of the eligible cost of completing these projects including, but not limited to, personnel costs, contractual services, equipment purchase/rental, supplies and materials, and land acquisition, directly related to implementation of the project. See the Eligible and Ineligible Project Expenses section on page 21 for additional details regarding eligible expenses.

Applicants may submit several applications, but no more than one application may be submitted for the same project or project location.

CSC grants are reimbursement-based. See Reimbursements section starting on page 49 of this RFA for additional details.

All infrastructure installed must remain in the ownership of the grantee and cannot be transferred to another entity during the useful life of the project (typically 30-years) unless a climate change mitigation easement is in place.

2. Question and Answer Period For grant-specific questions, contact Myra Fedyniak at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Office of Climate Change (OCC), 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233- 1030, 518-402- 8448 or cscgrants@dec.ny.gov. Also see https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/climate-change/resources-for-local-governments/grants-for-climate-action for additional information on OCC grant programs.

The question-and-answer period will run from the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) opening date to June 22, 2026. Questions and answers will be posted to https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/climate-change/resources-for-local-governments/grants-for-climate-action following the end of the question-and-answer period.

mailto:cscgrants@dec.ny.gov https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/climate-change/resources-for-local-governments/grants-for-climate-action https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/climate-change/resources-for-local-governments/grants-for-climate-action https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/climate-change/resources-for-local-governments/grants-for-climate-action https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/climate-change/resources-for-local-governments/grants-for-climate-action

For general information and questions about the CSC Certification program, visit https://climatesmart.ny.gov, email climatesmart@dec.ny.gov, or call the DEC OCC at 518-402-

8448.

An informational webinar will be held on July 8, 2026, 2:00pm. Register here: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/re51e7b951e156db418fc1a132216bdc4

Consolidated Funding Application workshops schedule is below. This schedule is subject to change. Check the CFA website to confirm date, time, and location.

DATE REGION TIME LOCATION

Wednesday, May 27, New York City 1:00pm-2:30pm NY Genome Center

Wednesday, May 27, North Country 1:00pm-3:30pm St. Lawrence University, Canton

Monday, June 1, 2026 Mohawk Valley 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mohawk Valley Community College, Wilcox Hall

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Capital Region 9:00am-12pm Hudson Valley Community College

Thursday, June 4, 2026 Finger Lakes 1:00pm-3:00pm Rochester Institute of Technology SHED

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 Central NY 2:00pm-4:00pm LeMoyne College

Wednesday, June 10, Southern Tier 1:00pm-4:00pm Binghamton University

Thursday, June 11, 2026 Mid-Hudson 10:00am – 12:00pm

Dutchess Community College

Wednesday, June 17, Western NY 11:00am- 3:00pm

Birchfield Penney Art Center, Buffalo

Thursday, June 18, 2026 Long Island 10:00am- 12:00pm

Farmingdale State College, Campus Center Ballroom

3. Disadvantaged Communities The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) directed the Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG) to develop criteria to identify disadvantaged communities to ensure that frontline and underserved communities benefit from the State’s historic transition to cleaner sources of energy, reduced pollution, cleaner air, and economic opportunities.

The CJWG developed criteria to identify census tracts that qualify as disadvantaged communities by evaluating indicators, including environmental exposures, burdens, climate change risks, and socioeconomic factors. Please see https://climate.ny.gov/Resources/Disadvantaged-Communities- Criteria for more information.

DEC is committed to meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Climate Act with respect to disadvantaged communities, including the requirement in Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) § 75- 0117 that disadvantaged communities receive at least 35 percent of the benefits of spending on clean https://climatesmart.ny.gov/ mailto:climatesmart@dec.ny.gov https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmeetny-gov.webex.com%2Fweblink%2Fregister%2Fre51e7b951e156db418fc1a132216bdc4&data=05%7C02%7Cmyra.fedyniak%40dec.ny.gov%7Cbfa313c2d98b4a66ed5408de8f5914b4%7Cf46cb8ea79004d108ceb80e8c1c81ee7%7C0%7C0%7C639105809912379918%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=L2u%2Fj3h0IchTv%2Bh6spPRspbXOfR7WqdRhMU6rd1LWws%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmeetny-gov.webex.com%2Fweblink%2Fregister%2Fre51e7b951e156db418fc1a132216bdc4&data=05%7C02%7Cmyra.fedyniak%40dec.ny.gov%7Cbfa313c2d98b4a66ed5408de8f5914b4%7Cf46cb8ea79004d108ceb80e8c1c81ee7%7C0%7C0%7C639105809912379918%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=L2u%2Fj3h0IchTv%2Bh6spPRspbXOfR7WqdRhMU6rd1LWws%3D&reserved=0 https://climate.ny.gov/Resources/Disadvantaged-Communities-Criteria https://climate.ny.gov/Resources/Disadvantaged-Communities-Criteria energy and energy efficiency programs, with a goal of 40 percent. Similarly, the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (ECL § 58-1101) requires that at least 35%, with a goal of 40%, of Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act funds benefit disadvantaged communities.

DEC will make every effort, consistent with this RFA and relevant regulations and policies, to provide adequate outreach to municipalities that contain disadvantaged communities to communicate the program benefits and application process to increase access to the program’s benefits.

• Projects in Disadvantaged Communities receive points in the scoring criteria: Implementation projects with all components occurring completely in disadvantaged communities census tracts and certification projects occurring in municipalities with some percentage of their population residing in disadvantaged communities will receive points in the scoring criteria. See the scoring tables in the Application Review and Scoring section starting on page 33 for details. See Attachment D for instructions on using the DECinfo Locator to locate census tracts identified as disadvantaged communities within a municipality.

• Projects benefiting certain higher-needs communities (such as disadvantaged communities, economically stressed communities) may be eligible for a reduced match: The required match for the grants program is 50%; however, certain eligible communities that demonstrate need may be eligible for to a reduced match requirement of 20%. Criteria for reduced match are on page 9 for certification projects and pages 11-12 for implementation projects.

4. Eligibility

4.1 Eligible Applicants

Applicants do not need to be certified or registered in the CSC Certification program or be working toward CSC Certification to apply in response to this RFA. However, points are awarded to communities that participate in the CSC Certification program as part of the scoring criteria. See the scoring tables in the Application Review and Scoring section starting on page 33 for details.

All applicants must submit application authorization. Applications submitted without such documentation will be deemed ineligible. See page 26 of this RFA for details.

Two or more eligible entities, or an eligible and ineligible entity(ies) may collaborate on a project;

however, the applicant must be an eligible entity, accept responsibility for meeting all requirements of the CSC Grant program and the NYS Contract for Grants, accept all grant reimbursements, and enter into a partnership agreement, and potentially a climate change mitigation easement, with the ineligible entity. See the Partnerships section on page 28 of this RFA for more details.

Pursuant to 6 NYCRR Subpart 492-1.1, eligible applicants vary based on project category:

➢ Certification: For the purposes of this RFA, the following entities in the State of New York are eligible to apply to the certification project category.

▪ County

▪ City

▪ Town

▪ Village

▪ Indian Nations as defined in article 2, section 2 of the Indian Law.

➢ Implementation: For the purposes of this RFA, the following entities in the State of New York are eligible to apply to the implementation project category in response to this RFA:

▪ County

▪ City

▪ Town

▪ Village

▪ Indian Nation as defined in article 2, section 2 of the Indian Law

▪ Local public authority or a local public benefit corporation such as a municipal housing authority, municipal solid waste authority or resources recovery agency, municipal water and sewer authority, municipal water authority/board, municipal sewer authority, county soil and water conservation district, local development corporations and local industrial development authority. Note that a local public authority or a local public benefit corporation must complete or manage a municipal project on behalf of its parent municipality. Projects benefiting private entities cannot be completed with CSC Grant funds

4.2 Ineligible Applicants

By statute, the following entities are not eligible to receive funding under this grant opportunity: State agencies, state public authorities, state public benefit corporations, federally established entities (e.g., Metropolitan Planning Organizations), utility corporations, school districts, supervisory districts, fire districts, community colleges, libraries, non-profits, and not-for-profit organizations remain ineligible applicants but may partner with an eligible entity to complete a project. See Agreements on page 28 of this RFA for details on partnership agreements and climate change mitigation easements.

4.3 Eligible Timeline

The start date for all contracts awarded through this RFA will be March 15, 2027, and the contract end date will be March 14, 2032. Project costs must be incurred between the contract start and end dates to be considered eligible for reimbursement or match. Applicants should not submit applications in response to this RFA if they do not anticipate that they can complete the proposed project(s) within five years of the contract start date.

The contract negotiation process will not begin until the procurement package has been approved by the New York State Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) and New York State Office of the Attorney General (OAG), as applicable, the awards have been announced, and the contracts have been created in the Statewide Financial System (SFS).

4.4 Eligible Projects:

Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) § 54-1507 provides that adaptation and mitigation “[p]rojects must demonstrate an ability to identify, mitigate, and/or adapt to climate change vulnerability and risk or demonstrate potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions outside the power sector.” Projects that do not meet this requirement are not eligible for grant funding under this program.

5. Project Category Details and Requirements The CSC Grant program includes two different project categories: implementation and certification. The implementation category is divided into three subcategories: greenhouse gas mitigation, climate change adaptation, and engineering feasibility studies. Each category and the related project types are detailed below.

5.1 Certification Project Category

Certification projects are a subset of the assessments, inventories, and planning activities that are part of the Climate Smart Communities Certification program. These actions also provide a basis for future grant applications in the implementation category. Only the 22 certification actions listed in this section are eligible for grant funding.

5.1.1 Funding Levels

Total available - up to $1,000,000

Minimum grant award - $10,000

Maximum grant award - $200,000

No more than fifty percent (50%) of the total available funds for certification will be awarded to municipalities with populations greater than 100,000 or to any single municipality.

If funding in the certification category remains after all awards in the certification category are made based on eligibility, program requirements and goals, and passing scores, DEC reserves the right to apply the remaining funding to eligible proposals in the implementation category.

5.1.2 Match Requirements

A local match of 20% of total project costs is required under one of the following circumstances:

• Municipal applicant appears on the NYS Office of the State Comptrollers environmental stress score list with a designation of “Significant Environmental Stress,” “Moderate Environmental Stress,” or “Susceptible Environmental Stress” (see Attachment E).

• Municipal applicant has a 2020 - 2024 MHI less than or equal to $68,656 per census table B19013.

A local match of 50% of total project costs is required under the following circumstance:

• The applicant municipality has a 2020 - 2024 MHI greater than $68,656 per census table B19013.

See Attachment B of this RFA for detail on how to determine median household income for the purposes of this program.

See attachment E for a list of municipalities with an environmental stress score designation of “Significant Environmental Stress,” “Moderate Environmental Stress,” or “Susceptible Environmental Stress.”

The applicant is responsible for correctly calculating the match based on the total project cost, median household income as returned in census table B19013, and/or the NYS Comptrollers environmental stress score list. Applications with incorrect match will be deemed ineligible.

5.1.3 Certification Actions Eligible for Funding

The certification actions listed below are eligible for grant funding.

Fees related to accessing tools for climate change adaptation and GHG mitigation for the duration of the project are reimbursable if directly related to the proposed project, e.g., ICLEI ClearPath, the Temperate tool, GHG software. Approval of these expenses will be made by DEC during application review.

1. PE2 Action: Government Operations GHG Inventory https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/6

2. PE2 Action: Community GHG Inventory https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/7

3. PE2 Action: Government Operations Climate Action Plan https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/10

4. PE2 Action: Community Climate Action Plan https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/11

5. PE3 Action: Fleet Inventory https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/147

6. PE3 Action: Fleet Efficiency Policy https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/21

7. PE5 Action: Refrigerant Management Program https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/165

8. PE5 Action: Organics Management Plan https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/158

9. PE5 Action: Construction and Demolition Waste Policy https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/57

10. PE6 Action: Comprehensive Plan with Sustainability Elements https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/66

11. PE6 Action: Complete Streets Policy https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/74

12. PE6 Action: Planning for Biking and Walking https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/164

13. PE6 Action: Natural Resources Inventory https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/82

14. PE7 Action: Climate Vulnerability Assessment https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/85

15. PE7 Action: Evaluate Policies for Climate Resilience https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/87

16. PE7 Action: Climate Adaptation Plan https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/88

17. PE7 Action: Heat Emergency Plan https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/91

18. PE7 Action: Design Flood Elevation and Flood Maps https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/104

19. PE7 Action: Freeboard Policies https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/103

20. PE7 Action: National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/99

21. PE7 Action: Strategic Relocation (Tier 1 and Tier 2 only) https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions#open/action/98

22. PE9 Action: Climate Change Education & Engagement https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions#open/action/122 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/6 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/7 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/10 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/11 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/147 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/21 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/165 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/158 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/57 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/66 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/74 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/164 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/82 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/85 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/87 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/88 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/91 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/104 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/103 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions/#open/action/99 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions#open/action/98 https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/actions#open/action/122

Work plans submitted as part of an application for certification project must include completion of the minimum requirements for the selected certification action(s) as described in the CSC certification action links above under subheadings “E. How to Obtain Points for this Action” and “F. What to Submit.”

5.2 Implementation Category1

Implementation projects are divided into three subcategories:

A. GHG Mitigation - reducing or eliminating the emission of carbon dioxide and other climate warming gases such as methane.

B. Climate Adaptation - reducing risks to residents, infrastructure, and/or natural resources from changing climate hazards).

C. Feasibility and design studies - flood risk reduction, natural refrigerant systems, clean energy systems and smart growth analysis.

5.2.1 Funding Levels

Funding available – At least $17 million

Minimum grant award - $35,000

Maximum grant award - $2,000,000

For both the mitigation and adaptation implementation projects categories, design and engineering expenses are limited to a maximum of fifteen percent (15%) of the grant request. For projects with outreach or educational components, curriculum or program development expenses are limited to fifteen percent (15%) of the grant request. These limitations do not apply to the engineering feasibility study subcategory.

No more than fifty percent (50%) of the total available funds for implementation projects will be awarded to municipalities with populations greater than 100,000 or to any single municipality.

If funding in the implementation category remains after all awards in the implementation category are made based on eligibility, program requirements and goals, and passing score, DEC reserves the right to apply the remaining funding to eligible proposals in the certification category.

5.2.2 Match Requirements

A local match of 20% of total project costs is required under at least one of the following circumstances:

• All project components are located in and take place in a disadvantaged community census tract.

• Municipal applicant appears on the NYS Office of the State Comptroller’s environmental stress score list with a designation of “Significant Environmental Stress,” “Moderate Environmental Stress,” or “Susceptible Environmental Stress” (see Attachment E).

• Municipal applicant has a 2020 - 2024 median household income less than or equal to $68,656 per census table B19013.

1 Additional funding for this project type is contingent on Clean Water, Clear Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act allocations.

A local match of 50% of total project cost is required under both of the following circumstances:

• All project components or some project components are located outside/take place outside of a disadvantaged community census tract, and

• The applicant municipality has a 2020 - 2024 median household income greater than $68,656 per census table B19013.

See Attachment B of this RFA for detail on how to determine the median household income for the purposes of this program.

See Attachment E for a list of municipalities with an environmental stress score designation of “Significant Environmental Stress,” “Moderate Environmental Stress,” or “Susceptible Environmental Stress.”

The applicant is responsible for correctly calculating the match based on the total project cost, disadvantaged community status, median household income as returned in census table B19013, and/or the NYS Comptrollers environmental stress score list. Applications with incorrect match will be deemed ineligible.

5.2.3 GHG Mitigation Projects

Eligible projects in the mitigation category must reduce GHG emissions outside the power sector.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Reduction of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). These projects include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Construction of facilities for non-motorized forms of transportation (sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use paths, bus only lanes, train stops, non-motorized commuter facilities such as bike storage) that facilitate commuting or access to daily needs such as employment centers, residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and schools.

➢ Strictly recreational facilities are not eligible.

➢ Bike lanes must be separated from traffic. Greenspace, trees, and stormwater plantings are the preferred separation method.

➢ Sidewalk projects must include addition of trees, stormwater plantings (plantings to attenuate stormwater such as bioswales, rain gardens, stormwater planters, permeable pavers, biofiltration, sand filters, etc.), or other green infrastructure enhancements to reduce climate impacts (extreme heat, stormwater).

• Implementation of transit improvements that have the potential to substantially increase ridership, improve access to daily needs, and/or increase commuting by mass transit including, but not limited to transportation demand management programs, expansion/upgrade of bus/train systems/routes, commuter facilities such as bike docking stations, lockers, and shower facilities; creation of transit stops (bus, train, subway, etc.).

2. Reduction of Organic Waste. These projects include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Implementation, expansion, or piloting of education and outreach programs to prevent wasted food and reduce the volume of surplus food in the community, e.g., source reduction at the consumer level, thereby increasing the diversion of food waste from landfills.

• Increasing the amount of edible food diverted from the landfill. E.g., establishment or expansion of food-donation programs, purchase and installation of storage equipment for food, purchase and use of edible-food collection vehicles, and infrastructure for the storage and management of edible food.

• Implementation, expansion, or piloting of a food-waste pick-up service for residents, businesses, institutions, or municipal facilities to repurpose food waste as animal feed or to compost it at an organic material recycling facility.

• Construction of new (or the expansion of existing) facilities to process food scraps, e.g., at wastewater treatment facilities or composting facilities.

3. Refrigerant Management. Refrigerant management projects include, but are not limited to, the

• Establishment of municipal and/or community disposal programs to recover and recycle refrigerants, including those from automobiles, and/or to properly dispose of equipment containing refrigerants.

• Adoption of codes to enable and encourage the use of alternative refrigerants or requirements for proper monitoring, repair, and disposal of refrigerants.

• Implementation of education and outreach programs for residents and local businesses regarding the reduction of GHG emissions from refrigerants.

• Replacement of existing refrigeration systems with, or conversion of existing systems to, systems using natural refrigerants (i.e., ammonia; carbon dioxide; natural hydrocarbons, such as propane; water; or air).

Refrigeration systems are those in which the equipment is charged with refrigerant onsite after completion of equipment installation, e.g., ice rinks.

Variable refrigerant flow/variable refrigerant volume systems are not eligible for funding.

• Replacement of existing HVAC equipment as part of a CSC grant application for an adaptation project, e.g., development of a cooling center, moving a critical facility out of the floodplain.

Equipment installed as part of a grant-funded adaptation project must use the lowest GWP refrigerant available.

Applications for installation of packaged HVAC equipment using refrigerants other than natural refrigerants must complete a refrigerant management plan that addresses proper disposal of retired equipment and refrigerants; a leak monitoring, detection, and repair plan; and an end-of-life disposal plan for the equipment purchased and installed through this program as part of the contract for State assistance.

Unsealed equipment that uses refrigerants must include a leak detection system.

In December 2024, New York State amended 6 NYCRR Part 494, Hydrofluorocarbon Standards and Reporting (Part 494), to phase down climate-disrupting refrigerants to meet the required GHG emission limits pursuant to the Climate Act. https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/part494expressterms.pdf

12/part494expressterms.pdf.

See https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/regulations/proposed-emergency-recently-adopted-regulations/climate-change for information relating to climate change regulatory revisions.

See page 18 of this RFA for information regarding the engineering feasibility study option that can help an applicant plan for climate friendly refrigerant system and HVAC replacement.

4. Renewable Energy. These projects must establish and implement easily replicable renewable energy projects, including microgrids, solar arrays, ground source heat pumps (geothermal), and wind turbines in municipal facilities (town hall, DPW building, public low-income housing, etc.).

To qualify for a CSC grant, the system cannot return more than 25% of generated electricity back to the grid. Battery storage is encouraged. Projects requesting funding for heat pumps and/or HVAC must comply with the requirements listed in Section 3, Refrigerant Management, in the mitigation category on page 13.

https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/part494expressterms.pdf https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/regulations/proposed-emergency-recently-adopted-regulations/climate-change https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/regulations/proposed-emergency-recently-adopted-regulations/climate-change

5.2.4 Climate Adaptation Projects

Eligible adaptation project types include projects designed to provide a meaningful reduction of risk to residents, infrastructure, and/or natural resources from hazards projected to become more severe or frequent as a result of climate change. Such projects include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Natural and Nature-Based Resilience

Increasing or preserving the risk reduction benefits of natural systems and nature-based features, including, but not limited to, construction of living shorelines; dune restoration; sea grass restoration, wetlands creation or restoration; stream bank stabilization/restoration;

reforestation; development of codes, zoning, and/or programs to encourage forest conservation including sustainable forestry; deterring degradation of coastal ecosystems through development of codes, zoning, and/or programs that encourage conservation of freshwater and coastal wetlands, dunes, and beaches; and other nature-based landscape features to decrease vulnerability to the effects of climate change and to improve or facilitate conservation, management, and/or restoration of natural floodplain areas and/or wetland systems. See Using

Natural Measures to Reduce the Risk of Flooding and Erosion

(https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crranaturalmeasuresgndc.pdf). Such projects may include mapping of wetlands, as long as the cost of the wetland mapping does not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the grant request.

Applications for all natural and nature-based resilience projects involving flooding must include projected increases in sea level (for tidal areas), water level change, flood volume or precipitation due to climate change (future flows) in the calculations performed for project sizing and design. At minimum, the calculations must include the guideline elevations specified in the NYS Flood Risk Management Guidance (https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crrafloodriskmgmtgdnc.pdf). However, use of detailed local data is preferred in cases where it is available. See Estimating Guideline Elevations (https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crraestelevguidelines.pdf#ESTIMATING%2 0GUIDELINE%20ELEVATIONS) for instructions on calculating these elevations.

2. Flood Risk Reduction Flood-risk reduction projects floodproof, upgrade, or relocate critical municipal infrastructure such as buildings, stormwater systems, treatment plants, and water lines. These projects can include natural and nature-based treatments such as swales, sand filters, bioretention etc. to help attenuate stormwater or floodwater on site.

Applications that propose to relocate a building out of a flood area or floodproof an existing building and also request funding to purchase new HVAC products or equipment must comply with the requirements listed in Section 3, Refrigerant Management, in the mitigation category on page 13. DEC encourages applicants to consider solar panels, geothermal, or wind as the power source for all new buildings to the extent practical. The previous prohibition on funding renewable energy components has been removed as long as the system is not returning more than 25% of the electricity produced back to the grid for sale to customers.

Applications for all other flood-risk reduction projects must include projected increases in sea level rise (for tidal areas), water level change, flood volume, or precipitation due to climate change (future flow) in the calculations performed for project sizing and design. At minimum, https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crranaturalmeasuresgndc.pdf https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crrafloodriskmgmtgdnc.pdf https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crraestelevguidelines.pdf#ESTIMATING%20GUIDELINE%20ELEVATIONS https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crraestelevguidelines.pdf#ESTIMATING%20GUIDELINE%20ELEVATIONS the calculations must include the guideline elevations specified in the NYS Flood Risk Management Guidance (https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crrafloodriskmgmtgdnc.pdf). However, use of detailed local data is preferred in cases where it is available. See Estimating Guideline Elevations (https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crraestelevguidelines.pdf#ESTIMATING%2 0GUIDELINE%20ELEVATIONS) for instructions on calculating these elevations.

If the proposed project is located in a 100-year or 500-year floodplain, the following must be included in the planning and design of the project (attach a copy of the project design to the application):

• A site plan with the contours indicating the special flood hazard area (100-year floodplain, coastal High Hazard Area), 500-year floodplain, or coastal erosion hazard area.

• Location and elevation of non-critical and critical equipment, infrastructure, and/or facilities.

• Certification of floodproofing.

• A floodway analysis with a no-rise certificate if the project is within a regulated floodway.

• Fulfillment of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program Special Flood Hazard Area process requirements.

3. Addressing Flow Barriers Replacing, right-sizing, or removing flow barriers, including but not limited to, right-sizing bridges or culverts, improving or removing flow barriers to facilitate emergency response or protection of population centers, critical facilities, infrastructure, and/or natural resources, based on assessment of projected future conditions. Such projects should include information on upstream occurrences that may be contributing to the problem, potential downstream impacts of the proposed project, and overall watershed assessment of the waterbody. Impacts must be due to climate change and not the result of deferred maintenance.

Applications for all right-sizing flow barrier projects must include projected increases in flood volume or precipitation due to climate change (future flows) in the calculations performed for project sizing and design. At minimum, the calculations must include the guideline elevations specified in the NYS Flood Risk Management Guidance (https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crrafloodriskmgmtgdnc.pdf). However, use of detailed local data is preferred in cases where it is available. See Estimating Guideline Elevations (https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crraestelevguidelines.pdf#ESTIMATING%2 0GUIDELINE%20ELEVATIONS) for instructions on calculating these elevations.

Culverts in waterways with an internal opening greater than 20 feet and bridges spanning more than 20 feet in waterways should be designed to safely pass a flow that results from the 100-year flood event plus the appropriate climate change flow multiplier (minimum 10% or 20% per the Flood Risk Management Guidance) by gravity and without pressure flow. Bridge design shall also provide sufficient bridge freeboard, not less than two feet, when passing flows from the 50-year flood event including the appropriate climate change flow multiplier. See DEC’s Guidance for the Review of Bridge and Culvert Projects in Nontidal Waters Requiring a Protection of https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crrafloodriskmgmtgdnc.pdf https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crraestelevguidelines.pdf#ESTIMATING%20GUIDELINE%20ELEVATIONS https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crraestelevguidelines.pdf#ESTIMATING%20GUIDELINE%20ELEVATIONS https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crrafloodriskmgmtgdnc.pdf https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crraestelevguidelines.pdf#ESTIMATING%20GUIDELINE%20ELEVATIONS https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crraestelevguidelines.pdf#ESTIMATING%20GUIDELINE%20ELEVATIONS

Waters Permit and a Water Quality Certificate (https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025- 04/gs2401.pdf).

Culvert pipes over waterways, four-sided box culverts, and small bridges spanning less than 20 feet should be designed to safely pass a 50-year flood event plus the appropriate climate change flow multiplier (minimum 10% or 20% per the Flood Risk Management Guidance) by gravity and without pressure flow. Box and culvert pipe design shall provide at least two feet of roadway freeboard above the 50-year flood elevation and be able to pass the projected check flow (or 100-year flow) without roadway overtopping including the appropriate climate change flow multiplier. See DECs Guidance for the Review of Bridge and Culvert Projects in Nontidal Waters Requiring a Protection of Waters Permit and a Water Quality Certificate (https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/gs2401.pdf).

Stormwater conveyance system upgrades/repairs can be designed to carry the greatest possible flow (e.g., 25-year storm) that can be accommodated by the location, including the climate change flow multiplier. These upgrades should also intercept, attenuate, and infiltrate stormwater before it flows into the system to avoid the creation of additional flooding problems downstream of the stormwater conveyance system. Stormwater projects must incorporate the DEC stormwater design manual (https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/swdm2015chptr01.pdf), including climate change flow multiplier.

4. Extreme Heat Preparation

Projects to reduce the impacts of extreme heat in public spaces and outdoor areas must demonstrate that the project is likely to reduce extreme heat exposure and must consider both current and future projected extreme heat conditions. Projects to reduce extreme heat in public spaces include but are not limited to,

• establishment of cooling centers*

• construction of permanent shade structures

• implementation of other active and passive cooling features or programs such as spray pads

• comprehensive tree/perennial vegetation planting and maintenance programs (must include both planting and long-term maintenance of trees/perennial vegetation to ensure survival)

• installation of green roofs, green walls, vertical gardens, etc.

• removal of impervious surfaces and replacement with vegetation or pervious or cool materials (meshes, coatings, films, paints etc.)

Adaptation projects requesting funding to purchase new HVAC products or equipment must comply with the requirements listed in Section 3, Refrigerant Management, in the mitigation category on page 13. Generators associated with a cooling center must be powered by means other than fossil fuels to qualify for grant funding or match. Back-up battery systems or solar plus storage batteries are current options for generators allowed under this program. Projects that retrofit an existing facility within a 100-year or 500-year floodplain must elevate, as required by local floodplain code, or floodproof all utilities and generators.

5. Extreme Weather Preparedness

Emergency preparedness, including but not limited to, establishment of emergency warning systems or implementation of emergency preparedness and/or response programs (excluding radio communications). Applications requesting funding for a generator must meet the https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/gs2401.pdf https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/gs2401.pdf https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/gs2401.pdf https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/swdm2015chptr01.pdf following requirements: 1) The generator installation must be a component of a larger adaptation project, and 2) the generator must be powered by means other than fossil fuels. If a hydrogen fuel cell powered generator is selected, it must be powered by hydrogen produced through electrolysis, either created onsite or delivered.

5.2.5 Feasibility Studies and Engineering Design

Eligible feasibility and design studies must help advance a project to shovel ready status through a preliminary study (to determine the exact problem, source, and options), conceptual planning, and/or 30% to 60% design of a preferred alternative. The following feasibility and design topics are eligible:

1. Flood Mitigation

Feasibility study and/or engineering design for flood mitigation, including but not limited to dam repair/upgrade/removal, bridge or culvert replacement, stormwater system upgrades, natural resilience measures including natural feature restoration, nature-based feature construction (e.g., floodplain bench, dunes, and wetlands), or bio-infiltration/bioretention. All engineering feasibility studies related to flood mitigation must be prepared by a NYS licensed professional engineer and meet the following requirements:

• Include project location maps with the following labeled: hazard(s) areas, resources (natural and manmade) and populations (including disadvantaged communities) at risk.

• Include projected increases in flood volume, precipitation, storm surge, and/or sea level rise due to climate change (future flows) in the calculations performed for project sizing and design, or levee certification/recertification documents. At minimum, the calculations must include the guideline elevations specified in the NYS Flood Risk Management Guidance (https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crrafloodriskmgmtgdnc.pdf) and sea level rise projections in 6 NYCRR Part 490 (https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/risslr.pdf), where applicable. However, use of detailed local data is preferred in cases where it is available. See Estimating Guideline Elevations (https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crraestelevguidelines.pdf#ESTIMATIN G%20GUIDELINE%20ELEVATIONS) for instructions on calculating these elevations.

• Include HEC-RAS hydraulic modeling or comparable hydraulic analysis that evaluates the effectiveness of the project(s) in reducing water surface elevations.

• Take a comprehensive, watershed wide or sub-watershed approach in flow modeling, best practice selection, and siting of the project, to demonstrate that the proposed project is effectively reducing flood risks and does not shift flood risks elsewhere.

• Consider groundwater migration due to sea level rise, if the project is coastal.

• Prioritize natural and nature-based flood mitigation measures where necessary to reduce risk- these may be combined with “grey” or “hard” infrastructure to mitigate flooding. See Using Natural Measures to Reduce the Risk of Flooding and Erosion (https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crranaturalmeasuresgndc.pdf).

• Identify the problem, investigate the root cause(s) of the problem, consider how climate change may exacerbate the problem, and develop a capital improvement project as the recommended solution.

https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crrafloodriskmgmtgdnc.pdf https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/risslr.pdf https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crraestelevguidelines.pdf#ESTIMATING%20GUIDELINE%20ELEVATIONS https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crraestelevguidelines.pdf#ESTIMATING%20GUIDELINE%20ELEVATIONS https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crranaturalmeasuresgndc.pdf

• Provide an analysis of various alternatives and a cost estimate for each alternative, including a “no action” alternative. Each alternative must include a section that describes the type of maintenance required, a maintenance schedule, estimated maintenance costs, and estimated personnel time required to complete the maintenance.

• Provide a conceptual design for the preferred alternative.

• If the project is within a 100-year or 500-year floodplain, the following must be included in the feasibility study and design documents.

o A site plan with the contours indicating the special flood hazard area (100-year floodplain coastal High Hazard Area, 500-year floodplain, or coastal erosion hazard area.

o Location and elevation of non-critical and critical equipment, infrastructure, and facilities.

o Certification of floodproofing o A floodway analysis with a no-rise certificate if the project is within a regulated floodway.

o Fulfillment of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood

Insurance Program Special Flood Hazard Area process requirements.

• Culverts in waterways with an internal opening greater than 20 feet and bridges spanning more than 20 feet in waterways should be designed to safely pass a flow that results from the 100-year flood event plus the appropriate climate change flow multiplier (minimum 10% or 20% per the Flood Risk Management Guidance) by gravity and without pressure flow.

Bridge design shall also provide sufficient bridge freeboard, not less than two feet, when passing flows from the 50-year flood event including the appropriate climate change flow multiplier. See DECs Guidance for the Review of Bridge and Culvert Projects in Nontidal Waters Requiring a Protection of Waters Permit and a Water Quality Certificate (https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/gs2401.pdf).

• Culvert pipes over waterways, four-sided box culverts, and small bridges spanning less than 20 feet should be designed to safely pass a 50-year flood event plus the appropriate climate…