State starts “Buildings of Excellence” competition

New York State has announced $30 million “Buildings of Excellence” competition, which seeks to “advance” the design, construction and operation of low- or zero-carbon emitting buildings.

Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the “Buildings of Excellence” competition will offer financial incentives and recognition for building construction and operation projects that demonstrate “cost-effective and replicable” low-carbon or carbon-neutral designs that reduce energy costs for residents and offer developers a “competitive edge with predictable revenue and cost projections,” the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a March 6 news release. 

The competition will show how low-carbon buildings can be “profitable, attractive and affordable” for New Yorkers and will demonstrate how advanced building design can “eventually be adopted” into the New York State Energy Conservation and Construction Code, the governor said.

Funding for this program is part of the state’s 10-year, $5.3 billion clean-energy fund and is part of NYSERDA’s $50 million investment in new construction initiatives that are focused on activity in the multi-family building sector, including market rate and low-to-moderate income.

How it works

The competition will include three rounds. Each round will provide up to $10 million, with up to $1 million available per project. The first round is focused on multi-family buildings. 

NYSERDA is accepting applications through June 4 with awards expected this summer. To be eligible, projects must be located in one of the six electric investor-owned New York State utility company territories. Proposals can be for new construction or rehabilitation projects. 

Mixed-use buildings are eligible, but at least 50 percent of the building by square footage must be for housing. Projects must demonstrate design and construction methods that can be easily replicated and adopted by professionals for future projects. 

Eligible projects that will be awarded must be in one of the following four phases.

Early Design — Projects in the schematic design or design development phase; eligible for an award of up to $1 million.

Late Design — Design development is complete, and the construction documents are being developed, but the building permit has not yet been issued; eligible for an award of up to $750,000.

Under Construction — If the building permit has been issued, but the first certificate of occupancy, whether temporary or permanent, has not been issued; eligible for an award of up to $500,000.

Post-Completion Performance Optimi-

zation — Projects must show how additional proposed enhancements and/or optimizations demonstrate replicability and improve the living environment; eligible for an award of up to $250,000.

Part of Cuomo plan

The competition is part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s goal to “transform New York’s entire building stock” as part of his “Green New Deal,” a clean energy and jobs agenda that puts New York on a “path to a carbon-free economy,” Cuomo’s office said.

New Yorkers pay about $35 billion annually for electricity and heating fuels, and buildings account for 59 percent of statewide greenhouse-gas emissions, Cuomo’s office said. 

“The time for addressing climate change is now and today we are doubling down on our commitment to lead the way with a revolutionary path toward carbon-free buildings,” Cuomo stipulated. 

The competition also supports the proposed increase in New York’s clean-energy standard mandate to generate 70 percent of the state’s electricity through renewable- energy sources by 2030. By transitioning to a low-carbon building stock, New York contends it will lower energy and fuel usage and overall consumer-energy demand by reducing the need for fossil fuels while New York shifts to a renewable-energy system for heating and electricity.