Member News

State investment will support a center of outreach, awareness, and education in the Greater Rochester region to help foster residents’ participation in New York’s clean energy economy

 

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced today that the Rochester-based Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region would receive one of 12 awards to establish Regional Clean Energy Hubs across the 9-county Finger Lakes Region of New York State.

The Climate Solutions Accelerator is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and facilitating a healthier, more equitable, and environmentally sustainable community by catalyzing local efforts to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and address the effects of climate change. As part of the Climate Solutions Accelerator’s commitment to climate justice, they are helping to create a local movement that prioritizes equity and works toward climate solutions that can be used to mitigate other systemic community concerns. They will be partnering with local community-based  organizations PathStone, Rochester ENergy Efficiency and Weatherization (RENEW, an initiative of Rochester Area Community Foundation), City Roots Community Land Trust, Causewave, Urban League, Connected Communities, and Ibero-American Action League.

The NYSERDA Clean Energy Hubs are designed to serve as centers of outreach, awareness, and education and help foster residents’ participation in New York’s clean energy transition. Funding for the Hubs initiative is part of New York's nearly $1 billion investment to increase access to energy efficiency and clean energy solutions for low-to-moderate income residents and communities.

Abigail McHugh-Grifa, Executive Director of the Climate Solutions Accelerator, said, “The Accelerator is thrilled to lead our region’s efforts to streamline access to clean energy technologies, opportunities, and employment. The Finger Lakes Clean Energy Hub subcontractors and partners are dedicated to driving an equitable transition to clean energy opportunities and jobs in our region. Our team will work toward a ‘no wrong door’ model of service delivery to ensure that access and inclusion are prioritized equitably across our 9-county region.”

The Climate Solutions Accelerator was selected through a competitive process seeking organizations that could deliver community-based engagement of clean energy technologies and opportunities, conduct stakeholder engagement, advance diversity in the clean energy workforce, establish strategic partnerships across the clean energy ecosystem to benefit disadvantaged or underserved communities, and advance projects that address regional barriers preventing disadvantaged communities from participating in or benefiting from the clean energy economy.

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy said, “In a time when clean and green energy is booming in Greater Rochester, New York State’s investment in helping disadvantaged communities benefit from this transition will help power our workforce and address issues of equity and opportunity. We are so glad to see that NYSERDA has entrusted this important role to the Climate Solutions Accelerator, with whom we have a long and productive relationship. We look forward to supporting Abigail McHugh-Grifa and her team as they undertake this critical work for our region.”

“The Climate Solutions Accelerator’s knowledge of climate issues and commitment to a more inclusive green economy makes it the perfect choice to lead the Regional Clean Energy Hub. We look forward to continuing our support of the Accelerator in its new role to assist individuals and organizations looking to implement climate solutions throughout the Finger Lakes,” said Simeon Banister, president and CEO of Rochester Area Community Foundation and co-chair of the Climate Collective Steering Committee.

“The AMPED initiative sees a deep need for collaboration in facilitating an equitable clean energy transformation and can't wait to see what our region can accomplish with the Clean Energy Hub's leadership,” adds Sarah Studwell, AMPED Program Manager, Causewave Community Partners.

“We are proud to be partnered with Climate Solutions Accelerator and the other organizations participating in the Finger Lakes Clean Energy Hub. We look forward to being part of the systemic changes that will help individuals and families have better awareness and access to clean energy solutions. Together, we can take immediate and decisive actions to mitigate the climate crisis,” said Laura Gustin, Executive Director TogetherNow.

“AVANGRID, NYSEG and RG&E are proud to contribute to the Finger Lakes Region's Clean Energy Hub collaboration,” said Pedro Azagra, CEO of AVANGRID. “As the predominant utility serving the area, we are motivated to achieve New York State's Clean Energy Standard goals in improving grid resiliency, reliability, efficiency, quality and performance by leveraging the partnerships and connections developed through the Hub. Our energy efficiency incentive programs will have an enormous impact and critical role in ensuring that the transition to a greener future is closer than ever and that the benefits of climate action are equitable and accessible to all of our customers.

Awards given to organizations to establish a Regional Clean Energy Hub in their area:

• Adirondack North Country Association (North Country)

• Affordable Housing Partnership (Capital District)

• Association for Energy Affordability, Inc. (New York City: Bronx and Brooklyn)

• Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, (Central NY)

• Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Fingers Lakes Region (Finger Lakes)

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County (Mid-Hudson)

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County (Long Island)

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County (Mohawk Valley)

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (Southern Tier)

• Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens (New York City: Queens and Staten Island)

• People United for Sustainable Housing, Inc. (PUSH Buffalo) (Western New York)

• WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Inc. (New York City: Manhattan)

Finger Lakes residents and businesses looking to improve their homes and buildings can get started by booking an appointment with an Energy Advisor at heatsmartflx.org.

 

Media Contact:

Theresa Church

theresa@climategfl.org

(315) 406-7931