Cuomo: $7.5 million in funding available for municipalities as part of 'Smart Street Lighting NY' program

NYPA funds additional SMART features for municipalities as part of ‘Green New Deal’ to reduce emissions, combat climate change 

Smart Street Lighting NY video available HERE

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced $7.5 million in funding is available for municipalities across the state for the installation of new SMART LED street lights as part of the hid “Smart Street Lighting NY” program.

SMART LED street lights are equipped with improved internet connectivity and other digital enhancements that will allow municipalities to improve public services such as internet connectivity, transportation, public health and safety. The “Smart Street Lighting NY” program supports the “Green New Deal,” the nation's leading clean energy and jobs agenda to aggressively put New York on a path to economywide carbon neutrality. It is part of the governor's comprehensive “Reforming the Energy Vision” strategy to meet New York's nation-leading goals to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.

"New York is leading the way in developing innovative new technologies that enhance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Cuomo said. "This funding to modernize street lights across the state will not only increase public safety through increased visibility, it will also advance our aggressive initiatives to combat climate change and create a cleaner, greener New York for all."

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul added, "As a former local government official, I know firsthand the challenges faced by communities to provide excellent services while keeping the tax burden low. This funding for smart street lighting across the state will allow municipalities to use innovative technology to better address public service and safety needs, while reducing energy and maintenance costs."

The $7.5 million in funding was approved by the New York Power Authority board of trustees. Municipalities can apply for up to $500,000 in funding as part of their partnership with NYPA on the installation of SMART LED street lighting. The largest cities outside of New York City – Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers – are eligible for $2.5 million, with the other $5 million earmarked for other municipalities. Awards will vary depending on the municipality's needs and the scale of the proposed project.

The City of Syracuse, designated by NYPA as New York state's "Flagship Smart City," will be the first large municipality in New York to test the innovative new streetlight technologies. Syracuse plans to evaluate the installation of equipment that can expand Wi-Fi, and 4G and 5G internet connection capabilities on its streetlights, and to install other digital enhancements to citywide services, with $500,000 of support from NYPA, the first award from the $7.5 million statewide program.

“Smart Street Lighting NY” calls for at least 500,000 street lights throughout the state to be replaced with energy-saving LED technology by 2025. These streetlight upgrades support the “Reforming the Energy Vision” goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 from 1990 levels.

NYPA is working with cities, towns, villages and counties in New York to fully manage and implement a customer's transition to LED technology. It provides upfront financing for projects, with repayments made to NYPA from the resulting cost savings created by the reduced energy use of LEDs.

Introduced by Cuomo in his 2019 State of the State address, the “Syracuse Surge” is a comprehensive proposal to ignite economic growth and opportunity in Syracuse and Central New York. The plan builds on the city's investments in technology infrastructure and partnerships in the public and private sectors. “Syracuse Surge” will make investments in technology, education, workforce training development, housing and infrastructure, and is designed to attract new economic investments that will create jobs, shared prosperity and neighborhood transformation.

More information about “Smart Street Lighting NY” and how it can help a municipality save on energy costs is available HERE.

NYPA President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones said, "Helping our customers bring their streetlights into the future further advances NYPA's reputation as a first-mover in the energy-sector. NYPA has already installed thousands of new LED street lights, with hundreds of thousands of additional lighting fixtures already in the pipeline."

New York State Sen. Kevin S. Parker, chairman of the Senate Energy & Telecommunications Committee, said, "I applaud Gov. Cuomo and New York Power Authority's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy and install SMART LED lighting in our streets. All New Yorkers, whether they be from Brooklyn or Western New York, greatly benefit from forward thinking that encourages us to face the challenges of tomorrow. It is comforting to know the goals laid out in the ‘Reforming the Energy Vision’ are being followed through with innovative thinking and necessary funding." 

Assemblymember Michael Cusick, chairman of the Assembly Energy Committee, said, "As New York continues to lead the way to a cleaner economy, energy efficiency is essential to the achievement of our goals. This funding will enable localities to save money, improve digital accessibility, and create safer, more visible corridors."

To learn more about the “Green New Deal” and REV, including the governor's $5 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, visit rev.ny.gov.