Waste to Low-Carbon Fuels Pilot and Demonstration

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is offering up to $7.8 million to support pilot and demo-scale projects that convert in-state waste into low-carbon fuels. The goal is to identify viable waste-to-fuel pathways to decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors such as aviation, maritime, heavy-duty transportation, industry, and low-capacity factor firm resources. Eligible projects must retain at least 50% of the carbon in the incoming feedstock in one or more finished eligible fuels. The project team must include a low-carbon fuel conversion technology provider, an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm, a host-site partner, a feedstock supply partner, and an end-use or offtake partner. The proposal must include a detailed project plan, budget, and cost share commitment. • Eligible feedstocks include landfill gas, municipal solid waste organics, wastewater sludge, agricultural residues, and point-source or waste CO₂. • Eligible fuels include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel (RD), renewable natural gas (RNG), clean methanol, and sustainable marine fuels. • The project must be located in New York State and use in-state feedstock. • The proposing entity must be able to operate in New York State. • The project team must demonstrate prior successful collaboration to execute on an energy project of similar scale and type.