Program Announcement

To:  Residential Contractors
From: Residential Financing Team
Programs:  EmPower+, Comfort Home, Residential Energy Assessment Program
Summary:  GJGNY Residential Financing – Renewable Energy Tax Credit Bridge Loans
Questions: [email protected]

In January 2021, Green Jobs – Green New York (GJGNY) Residential Financing Program began offering the Renewable Energy Tax Credit Bridge Loans (Bridge Loan) to finance Federal, State, and New York City tax credits. The term of the Bridge Loan was 24 months with a balloon payment of principal and interest accrued, due at maturity. Customers are not eligible to convert the Bridge Loan to a term loan, and non-payment of the loan at maturity triggers collection procedures, including referral to the Attorney General’s office.

Upon NYSERDA’s review of the performance of all current Bridge Loans, the default rate is over twice that of the Smart Energy and On-Bill Recovery loans. Therefore, to reduce costs and promote the sustainability of the loan fund, NYSERDA will stop offering the Bridge Loan as part of the GJGNY Residential Financing Program.

This change is effective December 1, 2024, and applies to all Bridge Loan applications received on or after this date.

Questions about these changes may be submitted to [email protected].

Thank you,
NYSERDA’s Residential Financing Team

Programs: EmPower+
To: Participating Contractors
Summary:  Appliance Project Reminders
Questions: Please contact Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069.

For EmPower+ projects where an appliance replacement is recommended, contractors should be measuring the open space where the appliance will be located and not just providing the measurements of the existing appliance.

Also, it is important for the contractor to capture customer email- address, if one is available, and ensure both a primary phone number and secondary phone number for all customers are entered in the portal.  These alternative forms of contact are important for Appliance Vendors to ensure the customer will be available for the appliance delivery. If you have any questions, please contact Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069.

Programs: EmPower+ 
To: Participating Contractors, Hubs 
Summary:  MyEnergy Portal Training Sessions 
Questions: Please contact Contractor Support with any registration questions.

 
Four training sessions will be conducted by NYSERDA in late October and early November for Participating Contractors and Regional Clean Energy Hubs on MyEnergy Portal.

This training will equip participants to effectively navigate and utilize MyEnergy, a portal designed to enhance residential customer engagement with home and building energy efficiency and clean energy improvements. The initial rollout of MyEnergy will support New York households by enabling residents to qualify for home energy improvement incentives, apply for incentive programs, including EmPower+ and the new Appliance Upgrade Program, and connect with Installation Contractors, Participating Retailers, and Regional Clean Energy Hubs.

Register for 1 of the following 4 training sessions:

• Training Session 1: Monday, October 21 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. ET Register here
• Training Session 2: Tuesday, October 22 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET Register here
• Training Session 3: Wednesday, November 6 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. ET Register here
• Training Session 4: Thursday, November 7 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET Register here

Office Hours will be announced in the coming weeks.

If there are any questions, please contact Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069.