Energy Cost Savings Program | City of New York

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Before you submit your application

Businesses must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Sole Proprietors that do not have an EIN may use a Social Security Number (SSN).

A Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) and / or North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code.

Property block number, lot number, and square footage of the eligible facility.

Copy of the lease or contract of sale for the eligible facility.

Copies of utility bills for the most recent 12 month period for each account number (if applicable). If 12 months are unavailable, copies of the most recent utility bill(s).

Electrical and natural gas account information, including customer account number, utility company, meter addresses (if different from mailing address), projected monthly electricity bill, and the types of machinery using electricity and / or natural gas. If the electricity / natural gas are sub-metered, indicate if there is a markup charged by the landlord (if applicable). Under ECSP rules, markups charged by landlords cannot exceed 12%.

Business name, contact person, and telephone number of all existing and / or anticipated future tenants and / or subtenants (if applicable).

Information on all stockholders, partners, officers and directors who have an ownership interest in the business, including: name, percent of ownership, date of birth, home address, social security number, and other business affiliations.

If the applicant is eligible through ICAP: ICAP application number, assessed value of the building, estimated construction and / or renovation costs, and start and end date of the construction / renovation period. ICAP applicants must comply with Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) requirements as outlined in the ICAP application.

If the applicant is eligible as a tenant within a Special Eligible Premise (SEP): Name and address of landlord, date lease was signed (if applicable), date building was approved as a SEP by the Department of Small Business Services (SBS), copy of the approval notice issued by SBS, copy of the ECSP Certificate of Eligibility for the building, and evidence that the landlord has made improvements required to meet the assessed value investment threshold (also known as the minimum required expenditure or MRE).

If the applicant is eligible through NYCIDA: assessed values of eligible block(s) and / or lot(s), estimated construction / renovation costs, and start and end date of the construction / renovation period.

If the applicant is relocating: copy of the lease or deed of the move-out location as well as a copy of the unsigned draft lease or unsigned draft contract of sale of the move-in location (this must be submitted before moving to the new location).

Businesses or developers renovating New York City or select State owned property must file an ECSP application prior to signing a lease with the City or State to manage the property, and before the issuance of a building permit for construction and / or renovation.

List of Permit Fees. More info

A non-refundable application fee must be sent with every application. The fees, based on gross square footage of the eligible building, are as follows:
Less than 10,000sf = $500
10,001sf to 25,000sf = $1,000
25,001sf to 50,000sf = $1,250
50,001sf to 100,000sf = $1,500
100,001sf to 250,000sf = $2,500
Greater than 250,000sf = $5,000

List of accepted payment methods. More info

Personal Check (Payable to New York City Department of Small Business Services)
Certified Check (Payable to New York City Department of Small Business Services)
Money Order (Payable to New York City Department of Small Business Services)

Ready to Apply?

Apply in Person

Steps to apply in person:

Determine documentation required to submit an application by reviewing the list of prerequisites listed above, or contact the Business Incentives Unit listed below. Some of the documentation may not be available at the time of application.

Complete the Energy Cost Savings Program Application, available under Application Materials, above, according to the instructions provided on the application form. Provide supporting documentation (listed in Prerequisites above) as required by the application form.

Send the application, along with the non-refundable application fee (listed below) via postal mail to the Department of Small Business Services (SBS), located at the address below.

Applicants eligible through ICAP must submit an ECSP application to SBS after an ICAP application number has been issued to the business by Department of Finance (DOF). Within one year of the issuance of a building permit (or commencement of renovation / construction work if a permit is not required), the business must submit the ICAP Final Application to DOF. The business must submit evidence of renovation and / or new construction expenditures demonstrating improvements in excess of 30% of the premise's assessed value to DOF within four years of the final application. Evidence may include a signed spreadsheet from the contractor detailing the improvements made and copies of checks and / or invoices used to pay for construction and related services.

Applicants eligible through the NYCIDA must submit an ECSP application to SBS prior to the issuance of an NYCIDA Resolution. Within three years of the issuance of a building permit (or commencement of renovation / construction work if a permit is not required), the business must submit evidence of renovation and / or new construction expenditures demonstrating improvements in excess of 10% of the premise's assessed value to SBS. Evidence may include a signed spreadsheet from the contractor detailing the improvements made and copies of corresponding checks and / or invoices. During this time, applicants eligible through NYCIDA must also submit a copy of the NYCIDA Resolution, NYCIDA lease, and current Real Estate Tax bill to SBS.

Applicants renovating City- or State-owned buildings must submit an ECSP application to SBS prior to signing a lease with the City or State and before the issuance of a building permit for construction / renovation. Within three years of the issuance of a building permit (or commencement of renovation / construction work if a permit is not required), the business must submit evidence of renovation and / or new construction expenditures demonstrating improvements in excess of 10% of the premise's assessed value to SBS. Evidence may include a signed spreadsheet from the contractor detailing the improvements made and copies of corresponding checks and / or invoices.

Applicants applying as a "relocator" must submit an ECSP application to SBS prior to signing a lease for the new location. After execution, relocating businesses must submit a copy of the executed lease or contract of sale for the move-in location to SBS (a draft copy can be submitted at the time of application).

If an application meets all eligibility criteria, a Certificate of Eligibility is sent to the business and utility company indicating the start of the benefit period for each eligible utility account. Once enrolled, a business will continue to receive benefits up to eight years followed by a four year phase-out period.

Businesses receiving ECSP benefits are required to submit the Certificate of Continuing Business Activity / Annual Compliance Form, listed above with Additional Information.