By Craig Basford, ANCA Clean Energy Communications Coordinator

Earth Day is a time for new beginnings, a chance to start fresh and make positive changes in our relationship with the planet. 

New beginnings can feel risky or uncertain as we venture into new habits, technologies and experiences, but they also offer new and exciting opportunities to learn and grow.

Can you remember the feeling of moving into your first new home or apartment? Of starting a new job? You tried to play it cool, but inside, you were buzzing with excitement.

That’s how our team feels right now — because ANCA is embarking on our own new beginnings. This Earth Week, ANCA and our clean energy partners are celebrating the launch of the new North Country Clean Energy Hub. And we are so excited to share it with you!

The North Country Clean Energy Hub is a team of organizations dedicated to promoting energy efficiency and clean energy projects in the North Country. The Hub is a partnership between ANCA, Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties and SUNY Canton CREST Center, and is one of 12 Hubs across New York State funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

The Hub’s primary goals are to help low-middle income residents and small businesses improve their energy efficiency, educate residents about the benefits of clean energy, and help find funding programs to support these initiatives. By working with local businesses and community organizations, the North Country Clean Energy Hub aims to create a healthier and more equitable future for everyone.

The Hub has a team of Energy Advisors ready to help North Country residents with a wide range of no-cost services including energy audits, consultation for energy-efficient upgrades, assistance with funding programs, and more. Some of these programs cover 100% of the home improvement costs for households with smaller incomes. All residents, regardless of income level, are encouraged to reach out to their Energy Advisor with questions on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The North Country Clean Energy Hub will help address a variety of issues facing local residents including: lack of quality housing, home health and safety issues, rising utility expenses, and a shrinking labor force of skilled workers. The Hub will address these and other issues as they help North Country residents improve their energy efficiency and adopt clean energy solutions.

Join ANCA and the Hub Team as we build a clean energy future across the Adirondack North Country together! 

For more information about the North Country Clean Energy Hub or to schedule a free consultation with an Energy Advisor, contact us at energy@adirondack.org or through the “Contact Us” form on our website: northcountrycleanenergyhub.org. Contact information for local Energy Advisors can be found on our Contact Us page.

Clean Energy conference

We hope you’ll join ANCA and the Mohawk Valley Clean Energy Team for this year’s Clean Energy Conference in downtown Utica. Together, we’ll dig into the unique challenges and opportunities our small and rural communities face as new state and federal policies roll out across New York.

Your community’s voice matters. At this 1.5-day conference, we’ll learn from clean energy stakeholders and community leaders about local impacts of new legislation and programs. We’ll discuss ways we can work together to advance New York’s clean energy transition while preserving our region’s values and character.

* Sign up by Monday, May 8th to get your Early Bird discount.

• What: ANCA Clean Energy Conference
• When: June 1-2, 2023
• Where: Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, Utica, NY
• Cost: $125 Early Bird rate through May 8; $150 regular rate