Governor Andrew Cuomo
today launched the “Energy to Lead Competition,” which challenges
student-led coalitions from New York colleges and universities to design
and develop innovative plans for campus and community clean
energy projects. The competition, part of the REV Campus Challenge
which was announced by the Governor in October, will begin accepting
applications this week.
“This competition will engage our future leaders today in this fight against climate change," Governor Cuomo said.
"I encourage students across the state to get involved and look forward
to having their cutting-edge ideas transformed into real projects to
reduce emissions, lower energy bills and improve resilience across this
state."
The "Energy to Lead
Competition" is part of the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision, or
REV, a plan to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for
all New Yorkers. Central to the plan is engaging energy leaders of the
future on core issues to help New York achieve its goal of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent, generating 50 percent of
electricity from renewable energy sources, and decreasing energy
consumption in buildings by 23 percent by 2030.
The $3 million “Energy to
Lead Competition,” administered by the New York State Energy Research
and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is
open to student-led coalitions from two- or four-year public or private
colleges or universities. Applications are available on NYSERDA’s
website here. Proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m., April 4, 2016.
Richard Kauffman, Chair of Energy and Finance for New York State, said,
“This competition provides an opportunity for students to embrace their
central role in building a stronger economy and a healthier environment
for all New Yorkers by collaborating with faculty, staff and other
members of the community to demonstrate innovative and replicable clean
energy solutions.”
John B. Rhodes, President and CEO of NYSERDA, said,
“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York has become a national
leader in developing innovative energy solutions to protect our
environment and grow our economy. We encourage college and university
students to take up this challenge alongside faculty, staff and others
from their communities to develop their own creative and compelling
solutions for campus projects that will reduce carbon emissions, improve
resilience, and create a cleaner and healthier environment.”
Submissions should
demonstrate innovation in one or more of the following areas: project
design, business model, partnerships, and/or curriculum integration. In
addition, proposals should describe the project’s potential impact in
reducing or mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, as well as how its
success can be measured and how the $1 million award would be leveraged
to advance the project.
All proposals must feature a
least one undergraduate or graduate student from the college or
university and be submitted by a faculty or staff member from that
institution. Coalitions may include external, third-party consultants or
other community members, or represent a collaboration among different
institutions on a single project.
Students, faculty or staff
interested in participating in the competition can obtain information,
including submission guidelines and details about informational webinars
to be held Jan. 27, Feb. 10, and March 1, at www.nyserda.ny.gov/energy-to-lead-competition.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
