This purchase of 1,000 MWh of locally sourced renewable energy — enough to fully power four 200-bed residence halls — demonstrates how academic institutions can lead in advancing statewide clean energy goals while reducing their carbon footprints.
NYSERDA’s voluntary REC program, launched in 2023, enables commercial, industrial, and institutional customers to purchase RECs sourced from Renewable Energy Standard-eligible projects that began operation on or after January 1, 2015. These certificates represent the environmental attributes of one megawatt-hour of clean energy generated by wind, solar, or other qualifying sources.
SUNY Oneonta is using the purchase as part of its broader Clean Energy Master Plan, which aims for carbon neutrality by 2045. The university is also transitioning buildings to heat pump technology and expanding on-site solar energy production to reduce its overall emissions.
“This agreement demonstrates how institutions can directly support the development of local renewable energy resources,” said Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA. “NYSERDA looks forward to working with other colleges and organizations interested in advancing clean energy through this program.”
The collaboration aligns with New York’s Climate Act goals and positions higher education as a key contributor to statewide decarbonization. According to SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., the program offers a blueprint for campuses seeking to meet sustainability targets while investing in local energy infrastructure.
“This initiative is a step forward in our commitment to sustainability and energy innovation,” said SUNY Oneonta President Alberto Cardelle, who also co-chairs the SUNY Sustainability Council. “It reflects our values as an institution and provides tangible benefits to our campus community.”
State officials, including Assemblymember Brian Miller, reinforced the program’s replicability for other energy users across New York. “This is a practical example of how we can prioritize sustainability, support local development, and advance clean energy adoption,” Miller said.
