New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
A clean energy program at The City College of New York for vehicles has received a $300,000 boost from the New York Power Authority, the largest state public power organization in the United States. The money is CCNY’s share of $4 million in funding announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul to support clean energy workforce development programs across the State.
At CCNY, the funds will establish a pilot program that will prepare participants for careers in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, combining technical instruction with industry-recognized certification pathways to meet workforce needs in the clean energy economy.
“We’re investing in New Yorkers and the clean energy jobs of the future,” Hochul said. “By supporting workforce development programs across the state, this funding will open doors to good-paying careers while strengthening one of the state’s fastest-growing industries.”
NYPA Chairman John R. Koelmel said, “The $4 million in NYPA funding support for these workforce training initiatives will help provide New Yorkers with the skills needed to excel in the state’s clean energy economy. By investing in these programs, NYPA is doing more than advancing careers; it is positioning New York to lead the nation in innovative clean energy solutions.”
Last year, CCNY and CUNY worked with NYPA, Labella Associates, and Sunrise Power Solutions to install solar panels and electric vehicle chargers in a campus parking lot. A 141.6 kW array of solar Photovoltaic (PV) modules was installed above a steel cantilever frame, acting as a “solar carport” above the parking spaces. Additionally, 10 dual port electric vehicle (EV) charging stations were installed in the lot.
CCNY plans to install more EV stations and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to reduce peak demand costs as well as assist with emergency power during outages.
“There’s a lot that makes us excited about these EV stations,” said CCNY President Vincent G. Boudreau. “First of all, the Harlem community is currently vastly under-resourced in these kinds of amenities, and establishing a facility on our campus to redress this imbalance is a start. We’re glad to play that role. But the facility also will serve as an educational site, being one more resource in our efforts to teach CCNY students and members of our community how these solar sites operate and why they are important. In this sense, it fits perfectly with the college’s clean energy mission.”
The Power Authority’s support for clean energy workforce training stems from a commitment of up to $25 million annually, as outlined in the 2023-24 Enacted State Budget. It largely supports the efforts of the New York State Department of Labor to connect workers to job opportunities in the clean energy economy. Many of the upskilling and training initiatives have a focus on serving those who are traditionally underrepresented, especially within disadvantaged communities.
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 1.8% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.2 billion CCNY’s annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the “for dollar” return on investment to students, taxpayers, and society. At City College, more than 16,500 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity, and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign ever. The campaign, titled “Doing Remarkable Things Together,” seeks to bring the College’s Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College's mission. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic, and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.
Jay Mwamba
p: 917.892.0374
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jmwamba@ccny.cuny.edu