The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) recently wrapped up two clean energy programs designed to help municipalities reduce costs and increase energy efficiency for their communities.

Since 2015, the ANCA Clean Energy Program has worked with municipalities and residents to help implement two New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) programs: the Cleaner Greener Communities (CGC) One Stop Shop (OSS) Program and the Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Program. Among ANCA’s several ongoing initiatives to bring clean energy investments and opportunities to North Country communities, the OSS and CEC programs provided over $2M in energy funding to the region.

The OSS program included the creation of four Energy Circuit Rider (ECR) positions and the development of tools and resources. ANCA was awarded the OSS grant in 2015 as part of NYSERDA’s Cleaner Greener Communities Program.

Over a four-year period, an ANCA announcement said, the ECR team connected with 195 North Country communities and assisted in completing a variety of clean energy projects including interior light-emitting diode (LED) lighting upgrades, building envelope improvements, battery storage feasibility studies, net zero design, pellet boiler installations, LED streetlight conversions, electric vehicle charging station installation, solar siting and solar installations.

Starting in 2016, ANCA’s ECRs led an outreach campaign through the CEC program, providing technical and financial support for 35 North Country communities and assisting each in the adoption of at least four of ten “high impact action items” determined by the State as important first steps in achieving its clean energy goals. The first 18 communities to achieve CEC designation were awarded $50K-$250 to complete clean energy projects. To date, 19 municipalities are designated CEC Communities in the North Country.

For a complete list of designated communities and their projects, visit NYSERDA’s CEC website. ANCA’s Clean Energy Program continues to provide support for municipalities interested in adopting clean energy practices and technologies. For more information about ANCA’s ECR services call (518) 891-6200 or email energy@adirondack.org.

Map of Designated Clean Energy Communities courtesy NYSERDA.