New York gives Queens CUNYs cash to meet green energy goals

Queens College is one of 18 CUNY schools set to receive support for energy efficiency upgrades from the state. Photo via CUNY

By Rachel Vick

Four of Queens’ public colleges are in line for a share of $455 million designated for energy efficiency upgrades across the City University of New York system, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday. 

LaGuardia Community College, Queens College, Queensborough Community College and York College are among the 18 campuses citywide set to benefit from the grants.

“The multitude of energy efficiency projects implemented at campuses throughout our CUNY system will strengthen our efforts to transition to a new, greener economy," Cuomo said. "The more efficiently our facilities are constructed and rehabilitated, the more we reduce our carbon footprint so that we can leave a brighter, more resilient and reliable future for our next generation of leaders."

Funding for the upgrades was allocated to the New York Power Authority and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, which helped develop the measures to decrease the carbon footprint of the school buildings. 

Efficiency upgrades will include the installation of updated heating and cooling systems and LED lighting to support the Sustainable CUNY Conserves program — a system-wide program focused on reducing energy use to divert spending to other campus initiatives.

 "These energy-saving measures by NYPA and DASNY at 18 of our campuses will reduce CUNY's carbon footprint and establish the University as a model of energy efficiency,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez.