FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2025
Media Contact: Katy Zielinski | katy@moxiestrategies.com | 203-819-2595
Lawmakers, Labor, Advocates Call for $200 Million Investment in Thermal Energy Networks in State Budget
ALBANY, NY – Today, a broad coalition of state legislators, labor leaders, and environmental advocates held a press conference at the State Capitol calling on Governor Hochul and the State Legislature to include $200 million in the FY2026 budget for Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) at SUNY campuses and municipal utilities.
Speakers highlighted the urgent opportunity to fund shovel-ready clean energy infrastructure projects at campuses including University at Buffalo, University at Albany, Stony Brook University, SUNY Headquarters and SUNY Purchase, and to help the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities begin its transition to a TEN. The $200 million in funding would put people to work immediately, reduce campus emissions, and provide scalable models for clean heating and cooling infrastructure across the state.
Speakers also called attention to the importance of supporting communities like Jamestown, where the local public utility is ready to begin its transition to a TEN—paving the way for municipal-owned clean energy solutions in rural and upstate regions. TENS are also a platform for renewable power generation and energy storage from intermittent sources, and for getting benefits from waste heat. With wide-scale building electrification and other factors leading to greater demand for electricity, TENs will reduce draws from the grid, freeing up capacity for other users.
State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “The importance of taking immediate action to invest in the future of our state and our planet has never been clearer. The inclusion of $200 million in the final adopted budget for Thermal Energy Networks on SUNY campuses will position New York State at the forefront of the fight against climate change and help reduce carbon emissions. This investment will also address the affordability crisis New York is facing, create good-paying union jobs for New Yorkers, and improve the quality of the air we breathe. We must commit to investing in a sustainable future and continue the important work we are doing to enhance our environment.”
State Senator Pete Harckham said, “Investing in Thermal Energy Systems strengthens both our economy and our environment. Decarbonizing our buildings will create good-paying union jobs for the building trades, turning the promise of a green economy into reality. By investing in our SUNY and CUNY campuses, we’re not just reducing emissions—we’re creating opportunities and driving economic growth. This is a smart, forward-thinking investment that must be a priority in this budget.”
State Senator Sean Ryan said, “For a fraction of this year’s budget, we can show the country that New York is serious about being a national leader in the transition to clean energy. As the operator of over 40% of state-owned buildings, SUNY is uniquely positioned to help New York meet our ambitious climate goals. Installing thermal energy networks at SUNY campuses will reduce their energy usage and provide long-term cost savings, while also creating clean energy construction jobs.”
State Senator Brian Kavanagh said, “Thermal energy networks are a game-changer for New York’s clean energy future – reducing emissions, cutting energy costs, and creating good-paying jobs. By investing $200 million in TENs at SUNY campuses and municipal utilities like Jamestown, we’re not just funding infrastructure, we’re building scalable models for a sustainable, resilient energy system statewide. This is how we lead on climate action while empowering communities and strengthening our workforce. Let’s get it done in this year’s budget.”
Assembly Energy Committee Chair Didi Barrett said, “Thermal energy networks (TENs) offer the unique ability to decarbonize our existing building infrastructure while supporting a just energy transition for our current workforce. I will continue to advocate to fund these shovel-ready TEN projects on our SUNY campuses and for our municipal utilities in our final enacted budget.”
Assemblymember Anna Kelles said, “If we’re serious about addressing the climate crisis, we must prioritize scalable, equitable solutions that cut emissions and create long-term economic opportunities for New Yorkers. Thermal Energy Networks do exactly that. We can create energy independence in NY with homegrown, low-cost energy through TENs. We need to secure $200 million in the final budget to jumpstart clean energy infrastructure at SUNY campuses and municipal utilities—helping us decarbonize our buildings and put thousands of New Yorkers to work in family-sustaining union jobs. It’s time to lead with action and invest in the future we all deserve.”
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, “Supporting Thermal Energy Networks is a win-win for our state —creating good-paying jobs, cutting emissions, and improving our energy infrastructure. With SUNY campuses ready to lead, this $200 million investment will deliver real benefits to students, workers, and communities across New York. We have to take this opportunity to fund shovel-ready projects that will drive New York’s clean energy transition.”
Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky said, “Thermal energy networking is an exciting next step in our drive to build a renewable future. By connecting the thermal systems of large buildings with the smaller ones that surround them, we can reduce carbon emissions at scale — in our neighborhoods and on our college and hospital campuses. This is an exciting opportunity for our SUNY and CUNY schools, and it’s why I support funding for TENs in the 2025-2026 State Budget.”
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon said, “New York has a chance to lead the nation in building a cleaner, more resilient energy future, by investing in Thermal Energy Network projects. These projects are shovel-ready, with the potential to cut emissions, create union jobs, and modernize our energy infrastructure for future generations — a win for everyone. Thank you to my colleagues and advocates who are pushing to make this a reality.”
Assemblymember Gabriella Romero said, “Investing in Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) on SUNY and CUNY campuses like UAlbany would continue our commitment to greener campuses. TENs not only offer renewable power and energy storage, they also create good-paying jobs as part of the green economy. This investment would be a win for our environment and our economy, but above all, for New Yorkers for generations to come.”
Assemblymember Karen McMahon said, “As we continue to fight the climate crisis, it’s time to invest in and develop clean energy alternatives to fossil fuels. Some SUNY institutions, including the University at Buffalo, are prepared to put shovels in the ground and establish geothermal energy networks to heat multiple campus buildings. The Assembly has earmarked $150 million for the projects and the Senate an additional $50 million. We must include these funds in the final budget to develop clean energy solutions on SUNY campuses, and elevate New York State’s fight against global warming.”
John Murphy, International Representative for the NYS Pipe Trades said, “The expansion of thermal energy networks on SUNY Campuses will provide a just transition for middle-class New Yorkers who were at risk of being excluded from the clean energy transition. New York State has a unique opportunity to scale building decarbonization while creating family-sustaining careers, lower utility bills, and achieve its clean energy goals and objectives for years to come.”
New York Director for the Building Decarbonization Coalition Lisa Dix said, “New York has an opportunity to lead the nation in building a 21st-century clean energy economy—starting right on our SUNY campuses and with Jamestown’s municipal utility. With shovel-ready projects and strong community and labor support, investing $200 million in Thermal Energy Networks is not just a climate imperative—it’s a smart investment in New York’s future workforce and economic vitality.”
New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said, “Thermal Energy Networks are a win-win for New York—cutting carbon emissions while creating good union jobs and delivering healthier air. SUNY campuses are ready to lead the way, and the state must meet this moment with meaningful investment in our climate and our communities.”
Alliance for a Green Economy Director Jessica Azulay said, “Leading on Thermal Energy Networks means leading on bringing New Yorkers new union jobs, cleaner air to breathe, and a safer climate future. Including this TEN funding in the budget will make SUNY campuses into the engine of a new, green economy whose benefits will grow and uplift our state the same way its students will.”
ALIGN Climate Director Jenille Scott said, “SUNY campuses across the state can lead New York’s transition to renewable energy, creating good, green jobs and a healthier environment for students, workers, and communities. As federal rollbacks threaten our already catastrophic climate crisis, New York must invest in solutions at the ready in this year’s budget.”
Roger Downs, Conservation Director for the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter said, “Advancing thermal energy networks at SUNY schools and other state owned campuses will be transformational in showcasing how we can effectively reduce carbon emissions within our building sector, which in turn will create healthier living environments, save money and produce a new wave of family supporting jobs for the communities that need them most. We urge the legislature and Governor to fully fund this work ($200M) in the final 2026 FY budget.”
TENs use shared underground infrastructure to heat and cool buildings without fossil fuels, reducing emissions, lowering energy costs, and creating union jobs in the clean energy sector.
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