The Governor announced $23 million in funding and awards for transportation electrification initiatives in New York State. The announcement includes $8 million made available under the third round of the Direct Current Fast Charger program to install electric vehicle infrastructure in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, including underserved communities; $7 million in awards to ChargePoint and EVGateway to improve access in upstate New York under Rounds One and Two of the Direct Current Fast Charger program; and $8 million made available for electric school buses and paratransit buses under the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program.

The Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) program, administered by NYSERDA, seeks proposals from electric vehicle developers and installers that have a minimum of two years’ experience and at least 10 fast chargers or 200 Level 2 chargers in operation. Under this solicitation, proposals will be considered that would develop two or more fast charging sites, with at least half of all stations located in underserved areas. Each site must be able to charge at least four vehicles and have a total site capacity of 600 kilowatts or more. Additionally, each site must be located within 12 miles of Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse city centers, and each proposal must have at least one site located within the city limits.

$6 million is being made available to purchasers of new, zero-emissions all-electric school buses, with an additional $2 million available to purchase electric paratransit vehicles providing supportive community services under the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP) program.

Governor Hochul said:

Governor Announces ConnectALL Program Awarded Federal Grant

The Governor announced that New York State’s ConnectALL office has been awarded $7.2 million through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment and Digital Equity Act programs. ConnectALL will use these funds to engage New Yorkers across the state to produce comprehensive statewide broadband deployment and digital equity plans. The plans will provide the roadmap for the state’s utilization of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds.

The funding awards include $5 million from the BEAD Program and $2.2 million from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program; both federal programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The ConnectALL Office in Empire State Development will use the funding from both grant programs to support a comprehensive statewide planning and stakeholder engagement effort that will inform the State’s approach for subsequent implementation grant funds allocated from the more than $45 billion of federal funds included for broadband and digital equity in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

ConnectALL’s engagement efforts will include outreach and collaboration with stakeholders across the state, including elected officials; local, regional, and Tribal governments; members of the public; internet service providers; community anchor institutions; non-profit and community-based organizations; civil rights organizations; labor organizations and unions; workforce development organizations; libraries; educational institutions; economic development organizations; local businesses and chambers of commerce; and many others. The State expects to begin announcing its public stakeholder engagement events in January 2023.

ConnectALL will also convene a Broadband Access Advisory Committee to advise on broadband and digital equity planning and implementation statewide; members will include representatives from State infrastructure agencies, private-sector telecommunications operators, a representative of organized labor, and an expert in Tribal affairs.

Governor Hochul said:

Governor Announces Start of Construction on Smart Path Transmission Line

The Governor announced the start of construction on Smart Path Connect, a transmission project led by the New York Power Authority and National Grid NY to rebuild and strengthen approximately one hundred miles of transmission in the North Country and the Mohawk Valley.

The Smart Path Connect project will help unbottle existing renewable resources in the region and yield significant production cost savings, emissions reductions, and decreases in transmission congestion. It is estimated to result in more than 1.16 million tons of CO2 emissions avoided annually on a statewide basis and an annual reduction of an estimated 160 tons of NOx emissions. New York Power Authority estimates the project will provide more than $447 million in annual savings in northern New York and create hundreds of clean energy jobs during construction.

Legislature Considers Special Session for Pay Raise

The legislature is considering a special session next week where they are said to be considering voting for a pay raise for themselves. According to reports, legislative pay could reach $130,000 per year, up from the current $110,000. An outside income ban or limit is said to also be considered. The Governor was supportive of the raise. It is unknown what other items may be taken up as part of the special session.