Bronx Initiative for Energy & the Environment
Environmental Grants Program
The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) and the Office of the Bronx Borough President have established the Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment (BIEE). This Initiative has created three separate partnership funds: the Bronx Partnership for Environmental Benefit; the Bronx Partnership for Electric Transportation; and the Bronx Partnership for Residential and Commercial Energy Efficiency and New Technology. The goal of the Initiative is to demonstrate pathways to a green Bronx. Together these funding sources, in concert with BOEDC's existing business loan programs, will provide capital for a diverse set of projects.
BOEDC has created three separate funding programs:
1) Electric Transportation Grant Program - to offset emissions levels and promote the use of electric transportation in the borough. BOEDC already has identified one component of the program: the Bronx Clean Commuter Van Program. BOEDC will purchase electric, fifteen-passenger shuttle vans, to be utilized for a shuttle service for workers in the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center.
2) Environmental Grants Program - to encourage non-profit organizations and small businesses to utilize new technologies to achieve energy efficiency and implement mitigation strategies. Proposed program components may include: Free Energy Surveys (Audits) for Businesses and Non-Profits; Green Roof Demonstration Project; Weatherization technology; Lighting Upgrades; Solar/Wind Technology; Green Building; and Boiler Retrofits.
3) Environmental Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) - to provide low interest loans to Bronx businesses and building owners to incentivize the use of energy efficient measures and new technology which improve the air quality of the borough. The Environmental RLF will target several areas of energy efficiency and new technology, including the following: green roof development; boiler retrofits; upgrades to electric forklifts; upgrade of trailer refrigerator units to dual-fuel capacity; and development of new environmental technology.
Request for Proposals
The Bronx Initiative for Energy & the Environment (BIEE), a program of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, announces the establishment of the Environmental Grants Program. The Environmental Grants Program is designed to encourage non-profit organizations and small businesses to utilize new technologies to achieve energy efficiency and implement mitigation strategies in the borough of The Bronx.
Up to $1.15 million in funding is available for eligible project activities that include strategies to increase energy efficiency and/or reduce pollution. Projects include: weatherization technology; lighting upgrades; solar/wind technology; green building components; boiler retrofits; and new energy technology. Additional projects meeting program priorities will be considered. Priority will be given to projects that:
- Result in the greatest pollution reduction or energy savings per program dollar;
- Leverage private and public cost-sharing for project development;
- Represent a planned approach to new technology use or development;
- Offer unique and innovative partnerships and approaches to meeting critical needs and priorities.
Eligible applicants: non-profit organizations and small businesses operating in The Bronx.
Proposal Format: Project Summary should not exceed 1 page, with the total project narrative not exceeding ten (10) pages.
Five (5) copies must be clearly labeled and submitted to:
Kate Shackford, Director
Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment
Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation
198 East 161st Street, Suite 201
Bronx, New York 10451
Proposal Deadline: Proposals are reviewed on an ongoing basis. There are very limited grants available.
Program questions can be directed to Kate Shackford at (718) 590-3498 or kshackford@boedc.org.
Bronx Clean Air Transportation (CAT)
The Bronx Clean Air Transportation (CAT) Program (jointly funded by the New York Power Authority (NYPA), New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Clean Air Communities (CAC) and New York Empowerment Zone), will be operating five hybrid electric 18-passenger vans, three of which will serve workers and residents in the Fourth Quarter section of the Hunts Point Peninsula—the Hunts Point CAT.
Hunts Point Clean Air Transportation (HP CAT):
A free shuttle service has come to the Hunts Point neighborhood in through operating grants from the NY Empowerment Zone and the Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment (BIEE). This clean air shuttle service provides long awaited public transportation options to workers and residents in the 4th quarter of the Hunts Point peninsula—the part of the peninsula not served by the Bx6 bus.
The additional benefit of this service is that the three shuttle vans are 18-passenger hybrid electric vehicles, the first of its kind in this class of vehicle. A hybrid vehicle combines the use of a conventional engine and a highly efficient electric motor to provide an extremely clean transportation option. Traditionally vehicles of this size are powered by diesel engines, which have already had a negative effect on the air quality in the area. The hybrid vehicle drive train is designed to optimize fuel usage and maximize reduction in emissions. The vehicle saves fuel and reduces maintenance by: dramatically reduced engine idle periods; lower parasitic engine loads; running the engine in more efficient modes of operation by managing engine load and utilization of regenerative braking.
With Hunts Point containing some of the highest rates of child asthma in the country, these shuttles demonstrate a reliable technology that does not add to the already high emissions which contribute to the poor air quality in the neighborhood. The poor air quality and therefore rates of asthma may decrease if more alternative vehicles such as the Hunts Point CAT are used in the neighborhood. These vehicles designed by Azure Dynamics are made possible thanks to funding from New York Power Authority (NYPA), New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Clean Air Communities (CAC).
The route is approximately three miles in length, picks up at the 2, 5 and 6 trains and will guarantee walks of shorter than five minutes for most of the businesses. The route takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete, and with three vehicles in use, we are able to provide 10-minute headways and a system that is reliable and consistent.