Chancellor King Highlights Sustainability Milestones Across SUNY

September 28, 2026

SUNY has Reduced Systemwide Energy Use Per Square Foot by 33 Percent Since 1990

With 40 Percent of State-Owned Buildings, SUNY is One of New York's Most Powerful Platforms for Large-Scale Emissions Reduction and Clean Energy Deployment

Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today announced major sustainability progress across the SUNY system, highlighting campus projects in every region of the state that are reducing energy use, modernizing infrastructure, and advancing New York's clean energy goals. SUNY has reduced greenhouse emissions from on-site, purchased-energy, and fleet vehicle emissions by over 40 percent compared to 1990 levels at its state-operated campuses. Over the past decade, SUNY has reduced systemwide energy use per square foot by 33 percent. With 64 campuses, over 3,000 buildings, and more than 54,000 acres of land, SUNY represents one of the largest opportunities in New York to cut emissions, deploy clean energy technologies, and build a more sustainable future.

"SUNY is on the move – creating a brighter future for our students and also building a more sustainable New York for us all," said SUNY Chancellor King. "Across our 64 campuses, capital investments previously made by Governor Kathy Hochul, the State Legislature, and the SUNY Board of Trustees are helping SUNY modernize buildings, reduce energy use, and train the next generation for the green economy workforce. By investing in SUNY, our capital projects, and our students, we invest in New York State and our cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "With strong support from visionary leaders like Governor Hochul and the State Legislature, SUNY has been able to make great strides in achieving climate sustainable goals, while also improving the quality of life for our students, all while providing good jobs for New York workers. We thank state leaders for their continued investment in SUNY and celebrate the fact that these investments are win-win-wins for New York's present and future economic strength."

Throughout New York State, SUNY campuses have been investing thanks to State capital funding that makes it possible to renovate infrastructure, modernize facilities, and improve energy efficiency. These sustainability updates across New York regions include:

  • Western Region – State University of New York at Buffalo Renovation of Foster Hall for the Graduate School of Education
  • This renovation not only modernized the building, greatly enhancing the student experience, but also included sustainable systems designed to meet New York State's net-zero-ready standards. The renovation will enable the building to transition to a planned thermal-energy network to be installed on the South Campus by installing equipment in the building to connect to the future hub. This will result in a cleaner, high-efficiency energy hub that will help the University reduce its carbon footprint and improve energy performance by 44 percent.
  • Finger Lakes – SUNY Geneseo Renovation of Milne Library
    Following a complete renovation, Milne Library is now the first building on campus to eliminate fossil fuel use by fully electrifying its building systems in alignment with SUNY's clean energy goals. Other sustainable features include a 38 percent reduction in water usage, new insulation and roofing materials that improve energy efficiency, energy-saving windows, and a nearly 40 percent reduction in total energy consumption.
  • Southern Tier – SUNY Delhi Renovation of Farnsworth Hall for Veterinary Technology and Applied Sciences|
    The comprehensive renovation of Farnsworth Hall focused on energy efficiency and advanced building systems while supporting the programmatic needs of SUNY Delhi's Veterinary Technology and Applied Sciences programs. The building now includes a hybrid ground-source heat pump system, new HVAC systems with energy recovery, specialized ventilation for animal care areas, updated plumbing, and an all-LED lighting system, resulting in energy savings of more than 60 percent.
  • Central New York – SUNY Oswego Renovation of Hewitt Hall for the School of Communications, Media and the Arts
    This gut renovation of a former student union created state-of-the-art space for a growing academic program while advancing SUNY Oswego's clean energy goals. The project includes a large geothermal well field that will become part of a broader exchange system designed to eventually power multiple buildings on the quad. The installation of a high-efficiency building system resulted in energy savings of more than 60 percent and a reduction of nearly 50 percent in carbon emissions.
  • North Country – SUNY Canton Rehabilitation of French Hall
    This comprehensive rehabilitation of French Hall focused on updating the building to meet accessibility and climate goals.  The renovation eliminated natural gas as a heat source and totally electrified the building with geothermal systems to heat and cool the building, as well as making the building more efficient by upgrading the building envelope and replacing the roofing, windows, doors, and related insulation systems.
  • Mohawk Valley – SUNY Oneonta Rehabilitation of Alumni Hall
    This comprehensive renovation transformed Alumni Hall into a green building that is fully heated and cooled through ground-source heat pumps and an array of 39 geothermal wells. The building now reduces campus carbon emissions by 130 tons annually and cuts energy usage by 66 percent through new technology and building materials. As a result, Alumni Hall has earned LEED Platinum certification.
  • Capital Region – State University of New York at Albany Rehabilitation of the Former Albany High School for the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering
  • The complete renovation of the former Albany High School will provide space for new and growing programs that train the next generation of workers in science and technology fields. The project is seeking LEED Gold certification upon completion of its final phase, and high-efficiency building systems installed throughout the facility will help optimize energy performance.
  • Long Island – SUNY Farmingdale State College Renovation of Sinclair Hall
    The complete renovation of Sinclair Hall at SUNY Farmingdale, originally designed as a dining hall, will support a growing student population while significantly improving building performance. The project is currently under construction and includes extensive upgrades to enhance energy efficiency, including the installation of geothermal wells, a new energy-efficient exterior, and highly efficient building systems. Once complete, the building is projected to deliver energy savings of 46 percent.

In the 2026-2027 Enacted State budget, SUNY received an increase in critical maintenance funding for a total of $795 million. This investment allows SUNY to focus on addressing transformational and sustainable projects. Nearly all of SUNY's critical maintenance projects – whether major renovations, which invest heavily in green energy systems resulting in reduced energy consumption up to 60 percent, or targeted upgrades to building components such as roofs, windows, or mechanical systems – greatly enhance energy efficiency and advance the State's energy and climate goals.

The modernizations and investments that have taken place at SUNY campuses are part of needed repairs as a result of SUNY's often-times older infrastructure. Governor Hochul and the State Legislature have prioritized investing in SUNY to help build a more affordable and prosperous New York State. Over the past three years, SUNY has experienced back-to-back-to-back enrollment increases, and through meaningful investments by state leaders, SUNY has stepped up as a national leader in advancing student success programming and academic research for the public good.

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, "SUNY accounts for 40 percent of New York's state-owned buildings. A 13 percent drop in energy use per square foot over a decade is the kind of progress that comes from sustained capital investment and serious work on every campus. I thank Chancellor King, the SUNY Board of Trustees, and the Governor for prioritizing sustainability and reduced costs for our campuses."

State Senator April Baskin said, "UB has long been a leader in Western New York, and the Foster Hall renovation is another example of that leadership. This project will create a better space for students while also reducing energy use and helping UB meet its climate goals. I'm proud to see our region's largest public university and our SUNY system continuing to invest in a more sustainable future."

State Senator Patricia Fahy said, "SUNY, which comprises 40 percent of New York's state-owned buildings, is leading the way on reducing emissions and confronting the threat of climate change head-on. As cornerstones and pillars in many of our communities across the state, SUNY leading by example is key, encourages similar investments, and is critical to meeting our climate goals. As New York continues to lead the national fight against climate change, SUNY will continue to illustrate exactly how the state can lead by example and invest in a renewable and clean energy future."

State Senator Monica Martinez, said, "At its core, higher education is intended to prepare us for the important lessons of life and learning how to address the environmental challenges we face is one of the most critical.  As New York continues to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, SUNY's investment in sustainable projects, including Farmingdale State College's renovation of Sinclair Hall, highlights how the system is teaching leadership by example.  I congratulate FSC and the entire SUNY system on these important climate achievements."

State Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, said, "In 30 years, SUNY has significantly reduced greenhouse emissions across 64 campuses and more than 3,000 buildings, ensuring a cleaner environment for students, faculty, and staff, which is not an easy feat. In just this decade alone, SUNY reduced systemwide energy use per square foot by 13 percent, helping the State meet its energy goals. Still, with back-to-back enrollment gains systemwide these past few years, there is still more work to do. I want to thank SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., the SUNY Board of Trustees, and everyone responsible for modernizing the campuses with energy-efficient buildings on campuses that will last for years to come."

State Assemblymember Deborah Glick, Chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, said, "Since the passage of the CLCPA in 2019, I have maintained that SUNY is uniquely positioned to lead New York's clean energy transition. By reducing energy use per square foot by one-third over the past decade, SUNY has demonstrated environmental leadership. I commend Chancellor King, the SUNY Board of Trustees, campus leaders, and staff across the system for advancing sustainability projects that are helping build a cleaner and more resilient New York."

State Assemblymember Brian Miller said, "As a member of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, I'm proud to see SUNY Oneonta leading by example right here in the 122nd Assembly District. SUNY Oneonta is an important part of our community and our regional economy, and investments in its campus are investments in the students, faculty and families who call our area home. The transformation of Alumni Hall shows how we can modernize our SUNY facilities, improve energy efficiency and make responsible, long-term investments that will serve our students and community for decades to come."

State Assemblymember Kwani B. O'Pharrow said, "Building a cleaner, more sustainable future starts with smart investments in energy efficiency today. I'm proud to see SUNY leading by example and making a meaningful difference for our students & communities."

The SUNY Climate and Sustainability Action Plan was adopted at the beginning of 2025 and provides a framework for decarbonizing the SUNY system, which consists of over 110 million square feet or approximately 40 percent of all New York State-owned buildings, and for creating the next generation of climate leaders through education, experiential learning, research, workforce development, and civic engagement. The plan includes 156 specific actions and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, doubling climate research, strengthening climate education, increasing green workforce development, and expanding engagement and applied learning opportunities for students.

Across the system, SUNY is scaling its use of geothermal networks to heat and cool buildings and solar power to generate electricity. To date, SUNY campuses have implemented over 1,000 energy efficiency projects that have reduced energy use by 10 percent since 2015 even while adding 5 million square feet of conditioned space, 23 campuses are using efficient geothermal power to heat and cool buildings, and 17 campuses generated a total of 29,500 MWH of renewable electricity in 2025.

Building on this track record, in 2025 alone, SUNY partnered with the Governor's Office and State Legislature to invest $240 million in thermal energy networks and solar projects at the State University of New York at Binghamton, the State University of New York at Buffalo, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Purchase, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.

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