Photos and Audio from Today’s Press Conference Here.

Albany, NY - Today, Assemblymember John McDonald and Senator Mario Mattera, along with the Upgrade NY collaboration, led a bipartisan ask for state leaders to include $200 million in the FY27 State Budget to advance Thermal Energy Networks and Utility Thermal Energy Networks statewide. The proposed FY27 investment would support shovel-ready projects at SUNY campuses and municipalities across New York, helping state facilities lead by example while creating good-paying union jobs and delivering long-term energy savings for communities.

The FY26 Enacted Budget included $200 million to advance thermal energy network projects at state campuses through the Sustainable Future Program, and utilities have completed engineering plans for eight UTENJA projects awaiting PSC approval. This year’s additional $200 million allocation would allow New York to keep momentum and expand these projects to more regions of the state. 

Thermal Energy Networks provide reliable, cost-effective heating and cooling at neighborhood scale and represent a critical pathway to decarbonize buildings without increasing strain on the electric grid during times of peak demand.

Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, “Thermal Energy Networks are a practical, cost effective way to cut building emissions while strengthening energy reliability and affordability for our communities. This $200 million investment will keep shovel ready projects moving forward at SUNY campuses and municipalities across New York, creating good paying jobs and long term savings. I’m proud to work with our partners to advance these projects."

Senator Mario Mattera said, “Thermal Energy Networks represent a practical approach to modernizing our energy infrastructure while supporting good-paying jobs here in New York. By increasing our investment in this year’s budget, we can advance shovel-ready projects at our SUNY campuses and in local communities, strengthen energy security, and ensure ratepayers see long-term savings. This is about keeping momentum going, supporting our workforce, and delivering smart energy solutions.”

Senator Jessica Ramos said, “This is the kind of investment New York needs to turn our climate goals into real progress. Thermal Energy Networks help us cut emissions while building a strong union climate economy that creates good jobs and delivers for working families. If we are serious about environmental justice, then the communities that have carried the greatest burdens must be first to benefit from this transition. I’m proud to support solutions that align our values with real outcomes and move us toward a cleaner, fairer future.”

Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, "As Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee, I'm joining UpgradeNY, climate advocates, and organized labor in calling for UTENs funding in this year's state budget. SUNY campuses are some of New York's largest emitters of greenhouse gas, but funding the transition to thermal energy networks, or TENs, is the solution we need for affordable decarbonization of campuses state-wide that will drive down energy costs, create good union-led green jobs, and support a cleaner, healthier New York." 

Assemblymember Matt Slater said, "This is the type of smart investment that New York should be making because it uses modern technology to enhance our SUNY campuses and communities while reducing pollution and creating good-paying union jobs. I am proud to stand with Upgrade NY to continue the momentum needed to achieve this coalition's objective of making this cutting-edge technology available for New Yorkers to benefit from."

Assemblymember Dana Levenberg said, "We need to move forward with building out thermal energy networks as quickly as possible and support pilots that can teach us how to expand the availability of utility thermal energy networks. These investments will help us lower energy costs for everyone while also reducing emissions and strain on our electrical grid. We must dedicate adequate funding to keep these infrastructure projects moving forward in a timely fashion, as they will help us address some of our most pressing problems."

Assemblymember Judy Griffin said, “New York is home to a robust and talented organized union workforce. We are also home to dauntless environmental organizations that remain resolute in fighting for our future. Collectively, these two entities are a formidable force that I am proud to stand with our shared efforts. I am delighted the Assembly’s budget resolution includes $200 million earmarked to renew our investment in Thermal Energy Networks, which will provide New Yorkers with a cleaner environment, while creating decent living wage employment opportunities. While there is more work to be done before the final budget is enacted, it is encouraging to be here and join with you to keep New York on the right path.”

University at Buffalo Chief Sustainability Officer Ryan McPherson said, “New York State’s leadership is making a smart, long‑term investment in our public institutions. With support from Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the University at Buffalo is translating these resources directly into lower operating costs, cleaner energy systems, workforce development, and nationally recognized innovation. The result is a decarbonized campus, a stronger regional economy, and a model that demonstrates how strategic state investment pays dividends for all New Yorkers.”

President of NYS Building and Construction Trades Council and Principal Officer of Climate Jobs NY Gary LaBarbera said, “Thermal Energy Networks are the kind of building decarbonization solution New York should be prioritizing. A $200 million investment will put New Yorkers to work modernizing our public campuses and communities, while cutting emissions and protecting energy affordability. Union members are ready to build; now the state needs to deliver the funding to match the urgency of this moment.”

New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said, “New York’s path to a cleaner energy future must be built by union labor and grounded in strong worker protections. Expanding investment in Thermal Energy Networks will create thousands of family-sustaining careers while helping decarbonize buildings. The New York State AFL-CIO strongly supports a $200 million commitment to ensure these projects move forward and that working people remain at the center of New York’s green economy.”

University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez said, “At the University at Albany, sustainability isn’t simply something we study; we practice it every day and are committed to leading by example. With nearly half a million square feet of fully electrified space on campus already, and as home to SUNY’s largest rooftop solar installation, UAlbany is ready to continue to implement cost-effective decarbonization projects that will reduce our fossil fuel consumption, improve local air quality, and renew aging infrastructure. This funding is critical to those goals, and we’re grateful for the strong support of our elected representatives, including Assemblymembers John McDonald and Gabriella Romero and Senator Pat Fahy.”

New York Director at Building Decarbonization Coalition Allison Considine said, “TENs are a vital tool to reduce building emissions at scale and create good-paying union jobs. New York can lead by example and bring these shovel-ready projects from concepts to completion, all while providing clean heating and cooling and supporting affordable, reliable energy systems.” 

President of the New York League of Conservation Voters Julie Tighe said, “New York cannot meet its climate commitments without tackling building emissions, and Thermal Energy Networks are a smart, proven solution that can deliver results quickly. This $200 million investment will help move projects forward, cut pollution, and create good-paying jobs. NYLCV is proud to stand with bipartisan legislators and our Upgrade NY partners to urge state leaders to make this funding a priority.”

ALIGN Climate Director Jenille Scott said, “Disadvantaged communities and our youngest generations have endured the worst of our climate crisis, from extreme temperatures to worsening air quality and unprecedented storms ravaging health and home. That’s why it’s so important that New York invests in their future with thermal energy solutions for public housing, municipal projects, and some of the state’s most polluting campuses, bringing clean air and good union jobs to the communities that need them most.” 

Upgrade NY is advocating for $200 million for capital funding this fiscal year to advance TENs across the state, including: 

• $126 million for shovel ready projects at SUNY campuses, including Farmingdale State College, University at Buffalo, University at Albany, Stony Brook University, and SUNY Potsdam.

• $74 million for capital improvements for Utility Thermal Energy Network pilots in underserved communities (DACs). Eight UTEN projects are awaiting Public Service Commission approval to move to construction; providing funding to upgrade municipal buildings, NYCHA buildings, and for residential electrification would lower the overall project costs and help advance these innovative projects. 

About Upgrade NY

The UpgradeNY collaboration works together to advocate for affordable solutions to decarbonize New York’s buildings while creating a strong foundation for good-paying union jobs. Members include Building Decarbonization Coalition, New York League of Conservation Voters, New York State AFL-CIO, ALIGN, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, New York State Building and Construction Trades Council, Sierra Club’s Atlantic Chapter and Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE). Learn more at upgradeny.org. 

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