Publish Date : 13-Feb-2017
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $3 million in new funding to help eligible municipalities and rural electricity cooperatives purchase electric vehicles for use in their municipal use fleets. The initiative is part of the New York Power Authoritys Municipal Electric-Drive Vehicle Program, which provides financial assistance to facilitate the replacement of less fuel-efficient vehicles. This announcement supports Governor Cuomo's energy goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York 40 percent by 2030 from 1990 levels.
This initiative will help communities across New York purchase electric and hybrid vehicles to help reduce their carbon footprint and create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable New York, Governor Cuomo said. "I urge any eligible municipality to join us in our fight against climate change.
All types of commercially available electric and hybrid electric vehicles are offered for purchase under this program including passenger cars, pickup trucks, off-road specialty vehicles and heavy-duty utility bucket trucks. Photos of some of the vehicles are available here. Municipalities and rural electric cooperatives that currently receive low-cost hydropower from the New York Power Authority are eligible to participate in this program. The funding builds on $5 million previously distributed under this program that has helped put 61 clean vehicles into service in 24 towns and villages across New York.
New York Power Authority's Municipal Electric-Drive Vehicle program works by providing zero-interest financing. The funds made available for the purchase of these vehicles are recovered over the course of three years.
New York Power Authority serves 47 municipal and four rural electric cooperative utility systems around the state, providing them with low-cost hydropower to help meet the electricity needs of their residents and businesses. In addition to the Municipal Electric-Drive Vehicle Program, NYPA also provides these communities with an array of energy-efficiency services and has helped install electric vehicle charging infrastructure in support of Governor Cuomos Charge NY initiative, an effort aimed at creating a network of up to 3,000 charging stations for public and workplace locations across New York by 2018. Earlier this year, NYPA offered its municipal and rural electric cooperative customers access to favorable pricing for the supply, installation and maintenance of these EV charging stations through a master contract.
Richard Kauffman, Chairman, Energy and Finance, New York State, said, "To meet our nation-leading climate change and emissions reduction goals, it's important for communities, led by municipalities, towns and villages, to take a leadership role and I'm pleased we are making it easier for our communities to acquire electric vehicles. Under Governor Cuomo, New York's local leaders are leading by example in reducing carbon emissions, not only in energy but in the transportation sector as well."
Gil C. Quiniones, New York Power Authority president and CEO, said, Electric and hybrid electric vehicles are key to helping New Yorkers reduce their carbon imprint. Enabling more of our municipal and rural electric cooperative partners to use electric vehicles in their everyday work provides an ideal way for them to contribute to a cleaner environment and combat climate change without increasing the costs of doing business.
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Energy, said, Since transportation is a leading contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, it is critical that the State encourage the use of more electric vehicles. This initiative, which will allow more municipalities to purchase electric vehicles, is a great step towards meeting our emissions reduction goals.
Tony Modafferi, Municipal Electric Utility Association Executive Director, said, "This is great news for the Municipal Electric Utility Association and our many members that have previously taken advantage of this program. We look forward to continuing the program for our 40 municipal members and are grateful to NYPA for helping make these clean vehicles available and affordable."
Paul Pallas, President of the New York Association of Public Power said, On behalf of NYAPP, the success of the program speaks for itself as many systems have added to their fleet as a result of prior funding and this increased funding will allow more systems to take advantage of this important program.
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