FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
\nDate: December 9, 2022
\nContact: Audrey Schwartzberg, ANCA Communications Officer, aschwartzberg@adirondack.org,
\n518.891.6200<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Cornell Cooperative Extension, SUNY Canton and ANCA partner to advance NYS climate goals<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. \u2014 The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has announced that the
\nregional nonprofit has been selected by the New York State Research and Development Authority
\n(NYSERDA) to establish its new Regional Clean Energy Hubs Program in the North Country. ANCA will
\nwork closely with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties and SUNY
\nCanton Career Ready Education and Success Training (CREST) to administer the $4,099,404 award and
\nbring clean energy programs and workforce development opportunities to North Country residents,
\nhomeowners and businesses.<\/p>\n
The project supports Governor Kathy Hochul\u2019s nation-leading climate goals outlined in the Climate
\nLeadership and Community Protection Act, as well as the State\u2019s commitment to deliver at least 35
\npercent of the benefits from clean energy investments, with a goal of 40 percent, to disadvantaged
\ncommunities and help advance an equitable clean energy transition for all New Yorkers.<\/p>\n
\u201cANCA is honored to be partnering with Cornell Cooperative Extension and SUNY Canton CREST to serve
\nas the Clean Energy Hub for the North Country,\u201d said ANCA Executive Director Elizabeth Cooper. \u201cThis
\ninitiative is critical for helping North Country residents and small businesses save money on energy bills
\nand access clean energy opportunities and jobs. Our team\u2019s long-standing community relationships,
\nextensive experience advancing clean energy programs, and focus on equity and inclusion will support a
\nstrong regional Hub that increases engagement in energy initiatives across northern New York.\u201d<\/p>\n
NYSERDA partnered with community-based organizations to establish the Clean Energy Hubs Program
\nand provide a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to ensure that all New Yorkers have equal access to the
\nbenefits of the State\u2019s clean energy transition.<\/p>\n
North Country Hub partners will work together to meet the program\u2019s goals, with a focus on expanding
\noutreach and technical assistance, clean energy education, and the development of a clean energy
\nworkforce. Together, the North Country team offers a multifaceted perspective, experienced and
\nknowledgeable staff, and a trusted reputation in communities across the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis unique partnership enables each of the organizations involved to bring their proven experience
\nand talents to the project,\u201d said Patrick Ames, Executive Director at CCE of St. Lawrence County.
\n\u201cExtension is pleased to be a part of this important effort to provide energy outreach and resources to
\nthe residents of the North County.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County is excited to continue our work in
\nproviding education on available NYSERDA energy programs to residents living and working across the
\nNorth Country region,\u201d said Stephanie Graf, Youth, Family and Community Development Program Leader
\nat CCE Jefferson County.<\/p>\n
Four community-based Energy Advisors, under the direction of ANCA and CCE of Jefferson and St.
\nLawrence Counties, will work directly with residents and small businesses who could benefit from state
\nand federal programs and projects that can significantly reduce energy costs and improve health and
\nsafety \u2014 like heating system upgrades, weatherization and lighting upgrades.<\/p>\n
The Energy Navigator program, implemented by CCE of St. Lawrence County, will provide energy-related
\neducation to North Country residents using a train-the-trainer model. Trained volunteers and staff will
\nhelp address common misconceptions around energy efficiency and renewable energy and provide
\ninformation about current energy research and technology.<\/p>\n
The North Country Hub will draw from SUNY Canton CREST\u2019s workforce development expertise by
\nproviding resources, curriculum and wrap-around services that support and strengthen the region\u2019s clean
\nenergy workforce. Informed by extensive regional analysis and stakeholder outreach, the partnership will
\ndevelop and expand accessible educational opportunities for this growing jobs market.<\/p>\n
ANCA will utilize staff and expertise from multiple program areas, including its Center for Pandemic
\nResponse (ANCA CPR), Food Systems and Entrepreneurial Economy Programs, and the Adirondack
\nDiversity Initiative, to support the Hub\u2019s efforts. While ANCA serves 14 counties, its Clean Energy
\nProgram has strong community ties in the seven Regional Economic Development Council (REDC)
\ncounties that comprise the North Country Hub. ANCA already coordinates clean energy projects in these
\ncounties, including NYSERDA\u2019s Clean Energy Communities and Climate Smart Communities programs.
\nFor more than 50 years, CCE of Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties have been providing programs to
\nmarginalized communities, including energy, parenting, nutrition and 4-H afterschool programming, and
\nSUNY Canton CREST has a long history of offering workforce development training and helping people
\nadvance careers and maintain professional certifications.<\/p>\n
Twelve regional Hubs across New York State were selected through a competitive process to advance an
\ninclusive green economy that focuses on:<\/p>\n
\u25cf Delivering community-based engagement, outreach and consumer awareness of clean energy
\ntechnologies and opportunities;
\n\u25cf Coordinating programs and funding resources to increase participation in clean energy projects;
\n\u25cf Conducting equitable stakeholder engagement to incorporate community perspectives and
\nincrease public input into NYSERDA\u2019s program, policy, and strategy development;
\n\u25cf Increasing local capacity to engage with community residents about clean energy policy,
\ntechnologies, and opportunities;
\n\u25cf Advancing diversity in the clean energy workforce by working with NYSERDA, trade unions, and
\ntraining providers to help clean energy businesses connect with and hire individuals from priority
\npopulations or disadvantaged communities, and increase the number and diversity of
\nparticipating contractors in the clean energy sector;
\n\u25cf Establishing strategic partnerships across the clean energy ecosystem in a particular region to
\nbenefit disadvantaged or underserved communities; and
\n\u25cf Advancing local projects that address regional barriers that prevent disadvantaged communities
\nfrom participating in or benefiting from the clean energy economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Clean Energy Hub\u2019s innovative and holistic approach will help bring real economic and
\nenvironmental benefits to North Country families,\u201d said Jill Henck, ANCA\u2019s Clean Energy Program
\nDirector. \u201cANCA is honored to be leading this truly collaborative effort in our rural region, where we are
\ncommitted to supporting a just and equitable transition to a clean energy economy. We are grateful to
\nNYSERDA and our partners at Cornell Cooperative Extension and SUNY Canton CREST for bringing this
\nprogram and its benefits to communities across the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
This winter, ANCA will launch a new website where Hub partners will share resources, events and
\nprograms related to clean energy, energy efficiency and workforce development. For more information
\nabout the Regional Clean Energy Hub of the North Country, contact Erin Griffin, ANCA\u2019s Clean Energy Hub
\nDirector, at egriffin@adirondack.org or 518.891.6200 x106.<\/p>\n
ANCA is an independent, nonprofit corporation with a transformational approach to building prosperity
\nacross northern New York. Using innovative strategies for food systems, clean energy, small businesses,
\nand equity and inclusion, ANCA delivers targeted interventions that create and sustain wealth and value
\nin local communities.
\nAttached: one (1) PDF
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: December 9, 2022 Contact: Audrey Schwartzberg, ANCA Communications Officer, aschwartzberg@adirondack.org, 518.891.6200 ANCA Selected by NYSERDA to Establish Clean Energy Hub for the North Country Cornell Cooperative Extension, SUNY Canton and ANCA partner to advance NYS climate goals SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. \u2014 The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has announced […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n