How to Use this Guide State Resources Federal Resources State Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)

In 2008, six landfill gas energy projects received funding under this grant program.

New York

• Solid Waste Municipal Landfill Gas Management and Landfill Closure Projects
• Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
• Industrial Finance Program
• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

Many of the sites listed on this page are not on the EPA Web site.
Please see our disclaimer information.

Solid Waste Municipal Landfill Gas Management and Landfill Closure Projects

New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) offers landfill closure and gas management grants with funding provided through a combination of the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, the 1986 Environmental Quality Bond Act, and the State Environmental Protection Fund. The landfill closure program provides state assistance for municipalities with inactive solid waste landfills or landfills that will be inactive within 18 months of application. The landfill gas management program provides assistance for municipalities that have incurred costs associated with the design and construction of active landfill gas collection and treatment systems.

This program allows municipalities to recover up to a maximum of $2 million or 50 percent of total project cost, whichever is less. Municipalities with a population of less than 3,500 can receive 90 percent reimbursement of total project cost for landfill closure projects. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis with grants approvals typically announced in March of each year.

Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)

New York’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a low-interest financing program created to help municipalities construct water quality protection projects. Because they may impact water quality, projects designed to control landfill leachate and reduce landfill emissions are eligible for financing through the program as non-point source projects. Municipalities and non-municipal entities in New York that own landfills are eligible to use the program’s low-interest financing to fund certain parts of landfill gas utilization project development. Approved use of CWSRF funds includes construction of landfill gas collection and control systems. However, the program typically does not extend financing to utilization of landfill gas (i.e., energy conversion).

Under the CWSRF, financing is issued to eligible projects; as financing is repaid, that money is made available for new financing, thus creating a true revolving fund. In existence since 1990, the program has provided more than $12.6 billion in CWSRF financing, saving municipal borrowers significant interest costs.

The CWSRF application process consists of two distinct steps. First, the proposed project must be listed with the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) in the program’s annual Intended Use Plan (IUP). Second, a complete financing application needs to be submitted if the project is qualified for funding per the IUP annual project priority list.

Application packages for the second step in the application process are available by calling EFC. (See contact information below.) Some application materials, as well as the project listing form, are also available from the EFC Web site.

Industrial Finance Program

Since 1970, through its Industrial Finance Program (IFP), the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), a state public benefit corporation, has helped its private sector clients manage their wastes, control pollution, build and improve drinking water, waste water and solid waste facilities, and comply with environmental regulations. EFC’s IFP financing has loaned over $1 billion to New York businesses, enabling them to borrow at lower cost than conventional financing options.

IFP loans are financed from the proceeds of special obligation revenue bonds issued by EFC and are backed by the full faith and credit of the borrower. Depending on the particular facilities financed, the interest on these private activity bonds is generally exempt from federal, state and local income taxes, thereby resulting in lower interest rates for the borrower. Eligibility for tax-exempt bonding is determined under Section 142 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Subject to certain federal and state law requirements and approvals, including obtaining state tax-exempt bond volume cap, there is no limit on the amount of an IFP bond offering. However, the minimum cost-effective amount of an IFP financing is approximately $2 million. IFP bonds may be amortized for a term of up to 40 years, depending on the useful life of the facilities financed and other factors.

Eligible costs for an IFP loan may include: purchase of land; project design and engineering; construction or acquisition of project facilities, including buildings; equipment purchase and installation; appurtenant facilities; other capital costs; legal fees and other related costs. Construction of landfill gas energy facilities may be financed on a tax-exempt basis.

There are no set application dates for IFP loans. Formal application submittal requires a $2,500 application fee.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

Established in 1975 as a public benefit corporation, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provides funding for research and development to help businesses, municipalities, and residents of New York solve problems related to energy and the environment. NYSERDA also supports the development of innovative technologies, services, and products. It emphasizes the development-to-commercialization process, rather than the implementation of individual systems.

NYSERDA publicly requests proposals using Program Opportunity Notices (PONs), which are posted year-round on NYSERDA’s Web site. (See contact information below.) These PONs cover a range of energy and environmental topics and generally focus on a specific segment. For example, a PON could request proposals for projects that develop renewable fuel, such as ethanol, or projects that promote the generation/use of renewable energy, such as landfill gas, within the state.

Landfill gas energy projects may be funded through NYSERDA’s Research and Development (R&D) Department or the Energy Efficiency Services (EES) Department. Funding is available to engineers, scientists, inventors, entrepreneurs, and organizations with experience in their fields. Generally, funding is awarded by contract and provided in progressive stages. The amount of funding available is specified in the PON and divided among the selected projects.