Program Announcement

Program: EmPower+
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors
Summary: Additional Funding for Provisional Approvals
Contact with Questions: Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069 or email at support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

To support energy affordability and housing upgrades for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers NYSERDA has allocated an additional $15 million in funding from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to advance approximately 1,600 pipeline projects previously held in Provisional Approval under the EmPower+ program. This investment ensures certainty and stability for the EmPower+ program which remains a priority for Governor Hochul and the State’s efforts to serve low- and moderate-income households through energy efficiency and electrification, and follows as part of a responsible, transparent approach to addressing the needs of New Yorkers.

EmPower+ reviewed the Provisional Approval queue and released eligible projects on August 8, 2025. Participating contractors receive emails when their projects are released.

Program/s: EmPower+
To: All Participating Contractors and Subcontractors
Summary: All EmPower+ work must be in accordance with all Program and local regulations
Contact: If there are any questions, please call Contractor Support at 800-284-9069.

As a reminder, Participating Contractors and any Subcontractor retained by a Participating Contractor must perform work in compliance with all applicable codes, regulations, laws, and standards in the jurisdiction where the work is being completed. In instances where Program guidance may conflict with state and/or local code, code must take precedent. This includes obtaining permits when required and obtaining the required licenses to work in each jurisdiction.

Sections from the Participation Agreement :

3.3 Licensing – It is the sole responsibility of the Participating Contractor and its Subcontractors to obtain and maintain any required federal, state, county, or municipal government licenses required for installing measures and to not perform work for which they are not licensed, if licensing is required. The Participating Contractor shall produce evidence of current licensing upon request by NYSERDA or its Implementation Contractors. Failure to comply with licensing requirements may result in disciplinary action.  

3.4 Permits – It is the sole responsibility of the Participating Contractor and its Subcontractors to obtain and comply with the terms of any required permits for installing measures or conducting Energy Assessments prior to the start of work. The Participating Contractor shall produce evidence of applicable permits upon request by NYSERDA or an Implementation Contractor. Failure to comply with permitting requirements may result in disciplinary action or termination from the Program(s).  

Any contractors found not following these requirements will face disciplinary actions including probation, suspension or termination from the program.

For any questions, please reach out to Contractor Support at 800-284-9069.