March 1, 2023
New York – Today, the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), one of the largest clean energy projects currently under construction in New York State, announced the first Request for Proposals for its $40M Green Economy Fund (GEF). The fund will finance workforce development programs for low income and disadvantaged New Yorkers, ensuring opportunity for all as the State transitions to a green economy.
The Green Economy Fund will support workers in communities across the state, ensuring that they have the skills and support that they need to qualify for good paying jobs in the clean, green economy that New York is building as the state transitions from the use of fossil fuel.
“The Champlain Hudson Power Express is making it a priority to support New York’s workers as we begin construction on our project to help usher in a clean energy future,” said Laura Gibson, Director of Workforce Development for Transmission Developers. “Many workers do not have the skills or expertise that clean energy construction and production requires, and the training programs and support services that are awarded funding from the Green Economy Fund will provide pathways to life-changing career opportunities like union apprenticeships and manufacturing jobs that give disadvantaged workers the ability to participate in the new green economy.”
“The CHPE Green Economy Fund is the kind of forward thinking that develops a diverse and vibrant workforce and leads to better jobs for all in the renewable energy industry,” said Justin Sauber, CEO of Transmission Developers, the team constructing the US portion of CHPE. “I’m incredibly proud of how CHPE is forging opportunities for transitioning fossil fuel workers, as well as for veterans, women, and lower income disadvantaged New Yorkers so they can experience rewarding careers in fields where they’ve been historically under-represented.”
“As community-first partners dedicated to helping support a just and successful clean energy transition, we are proud to announce the first request for proposals under the Green Economy Fund designed to connect underserved communities with workforce development training and wrap-around services,” said Serge Abergel, COO of Hydro-Québec (US). “This 20 year fund is our commitment to helping a generation of New Yorkers get the skills they need to build careers in the green economy.”
“The Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line, which will deliver clean electricity to millions of New Yorkers, is bringing forward significant economic benefits and well over a thousand new family-sustaining jobs statewide as part of its construction,” said NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris. “The Green Economy Fund reflects CHPE’s investments in New York communities that will help ensure we are building a resilient and equitable clean energy economy inclusive of all New Yorkers.”
“Climate change work must catalyze education and economic opportunities for working New Yorkers to ensure a just and equitable transition to a clean and green economy,” said Kizzy Charles-Guzman, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice. “This fund will increase access to training and ultimately to family-sustaining jobs – a huge win for environmental justice communities.”
“Our state continues to be a national leader in the green economy and the Champlain Hudson Power Express project will not only provide clean energy to homes and businesses, it will also power exciting new career opportunities for New Yorkers,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “These are the jobs of the future and this project is designed to ensure it benefits everyone in the communities it serves.”
“In this fast-changing world, building a labor force for the new clean energy economy is of paramount importance,” said Michael Lyons, President of the Greater Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council. “Ensuring that those frontline and disadvantaged communities have access to good paying organized labor opportunities should be at the forefront of the continued transition to the green economy. The Green Economy Fund seeks to advance workforce development programs that link graduates to good union jobs and support the removal of barriers to work to make sure workers are set up for success in the industry.”
CHPE is seeking proposals from workforce development programs, nonprofits providing wrap-around support services for workers, and educational institutions that prepare workers to succeed in the new green economy. Programs not listed above, but which also would support low-income workers during New York’s clean energy transformation, are welcome to apply. The fund will also consider proposals that address barriers to employment such as childcare and transportation and initiatives that help address the energy burden felt in these communities.
Submissions for round 1 of funding will be accepted until April 28, 2023, with selections finalized in July. A second round of funding is anticipated to begin in the fall 2023.
For more information on the application process, click here or email GEF@transmissiondevelopers.com.
About the Champlain Hudson Power Express
CHPE involves the construction of an underground and underwater transmission line spanning approximately 339 miles between the Canada–U.S. border and New York City.
CHPE will also provide competitively priced hydropower from Québec that is expected to lower climate emissions and local air pollutants, as well as electricity generation costs throughout the state by $17 billion over the first 25 years of operation, all the while providing increased reliability and resiliency for the downstate grid. The project also provides a total of $3.5 billion in economic benefits to New Yorkers and creates approximately 1,400 family-sustaining jobs during construction, with a commitment to use union labor. CHPE will provide an economic boost to 73 municipalities and 59 school districts throughout New York State with an increase in incremental tax revenue of $1.4 billion in funding for local communities over the first 25 years of the project.