Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) today (April 1) to provide an initial grant of up to $600,000 over the next three years to help local organizations combat the effects of extreme heat and other climate-related extreme weather events. The grant is aimed at disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities across O&R's service area in three counties in New York and three counties in New Jersey.
Nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community partners are invited to apply for funding under this grant. The deadline for submitting proposals is May 3, 2024.
"We are committed to ensuring that disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities are centered in the benefits of our climate resiliency investments, working in parallel with New York State's and New Jersey's ambitious energy transition laws," said Michele O'Connell, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. President, and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to supporting community-based solutions to build climate resiliency for those who too often disproportionately bear the brunt of the effects of climate change, including extreme heat and other weather events."
The company is seeking to fund proposals that will cultivate leaders, expand community-based knowledge, empower advocacy, and demonstrate activities that tangibly plan, prepare, and/or support community members for relevant climate events. Climate events include extreme weather events as outlined in Our Climate Change Resiliency Plan that disproportionately impact disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities. Winning proposals will offer community-driven programs or initiatives that build and advance resiliency for their communities.
The RFP reflects O&R's community giving strategy to invest in nonprofits that share the company's vision to combat the effects of climate change, advance social justice, environmental stewardship, and create green jobs in the communities it serves throughout Rockland, Orange and Sullivan counties in New York, and Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties in New Jersey.
For more details, follow this link to O&R's RFP: oru.com/ClimateJusticeProposals.
Earlier this year, Con Edison awarded $4 million in grants over three years to four non-profit organizations who will provide training for more than 1,200 participants from underserved communities for careers in clean energy and technology fields.
Today's announcement is part of O&R's Clean Energy Commitment to help usher in the clean energy future equitably and efficiently with the goal of every customer sharing in the benefits of a more sustainable grid.
Application materials must be emailed to PowerofGivingOR@oru.com on or before May 3, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
To learn more about this funding opportunity, direct your questions to: PowerofGivingOR@oru.com.
About Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) (NYSE: ED), one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies. Orange and Rockland Utilities is a regulated electric and gas utility that serves approximately 310,000 electric customers in New York and New Jersey, and 142,000 natural gas customers in New York.
About Con Edison
Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $15 billion in annual revenues and $66 billion in assets. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam, and serves 3.6 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. For financial, operations and customer service information, visit conEd.com. For energy efficiency information, visit coned.com/energyefficiency. Also, visit us on X (Twitter) and Facebook.
