More than 60 people participated in a discussion about New York State’s new Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) at the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) annual meeting last month.

Meeting attendees gathered at Great Camp Sagamore on Friday, September 20 — the same day that over 4 million people attended Global Climate Strike events in over 150 countries all over the world.

At the heart of the meeting, invited State leaders — Amanda Lefton, First Secretary of Energy and the Environment in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office and Mark Lowery, Climate Analyst for the Department of Conservation — gave presentations about the CLCPA and participated in a panel discussion moderated by ANCA board member Aaron Woolf.

During her introductory comments, ANCA Director Kate Fish explained how the clean energy economy is one of the four pillars of the regional nonprofit’s five-year strategic plan, which will be released in early 2020. Other major focus areas for the organization are regional food systems, the entrepreneurial economy and rural advocacy.

Lefton’s presentation focused on New York State’s ambitious goals to provide a carbon-free electricity system, increase renewable energy production and share associated benefits of a clean energy economy with all New York residents, including disadvantaged communities. These benefits include increased job opportunities and clean air and water.

Lowery addressed how the CLCPA will be implemented on the ground, based on research, outreach and community feedback. He described how the Climate Action Council and other working groups, councils and agencies are collaborating to develop and implement an action plan. He stressed how the State aims to keep energy industries in New York by transitioning to a renewable, carbon-free model that supports a growing clean energy sector and good jobs.

In his report from the ANCA board of directors, board chair Jim Sonneborn announced the newly elected slate of officers and the return of two directors to the board.

Executive officers include the following:

President: Jim Sonneborn; Attorney, Bousquet Holstein PLLC
Vice president: Kelly Chezum; Director of External Relations, Clarkson University
Treasurer: Chris Hunsinger; Director, Warren County Employment and Training Administration
Secretary: Katie Malinowski; Executive Director, Tug Hill Commission
Capital Region Vice President: John Bartow, Executive Director, Empire State Forest Products Association
Mohawk Valley Region Vice President: Steve Hartnett, Senior Vice President & Chief Credit Officer, Adirondack Bank
North Country Region Vice President: Brendan Owens, Attorney, Stafford Owens, PLLC.

Michele Ledoux, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County, rejoined the board of directors. Her last term ended in 2018.

Richard Burns, community and customer manager for National Grid, also returned after having served on the ANCA board in the past. He completed his last term in 2017.

Earlier in 2019, ANCA’s board welcomed Victoria Duley, Executive Director of the Adirondack Economic Development Association and Aaron Woolf, founder and producer of Mosaic Films Inc., for three-year terms.

Photo of ANCA annual meeting attendees and guest speakers Amanda Lefton and Mark Lowery display a poster they signed to signal their support for Global Climate Strike efforts provided.