HomeArchive by Category "infrastructure"

Cornell got a Mobile Battery for powering outdoor events (no more diesel generator!!!)

So Happy!

 

Cornell University sustainability partners invite you to Charging Forward: Cornell’s Mobile Battery Demonstration, a hands-on showcase of a quieter, zero-emissions alternative to portable diesel generators. Debuting on the Ithaca campus this week, the new mobile battery energy storage system (MBESS) – funded by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and manufactured by Viridi – demonstrates how clean, portable power can support large outdoor events, emergency needs, and off-grid operations without noise or fumes.

During this event, experts from Cornell, NYPA, EPRI, and Viridi will share insights into the system’s design, safety features, and real-world applications. Attendees will experience a live demonstration of what the battery can power and connect with student and faculty researchers advancing sustainable energy technologies.

This project reflects Cornell’s long-standing commitment to carbon neutrality and its approach to creating a living laboratory for sustainable innovation, where campus operations double as testbeds for scalable climate solutions.

 

This event is hosted by Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell Facilities and Campus Services, and the Cornell Office of Sustainability.

It is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Projected land use change due to goals for utility scale solar in New York State

Demand for solar energy in NYS is projected to reach 116–125 terawatt hours per year by 2050, when electrification of current fossil-fueled heating and transportation sectors is taken into account. By analyzing the performance of over 300 existing USS sites across NYS, we project that approximately 100 GWDC of USS capacity can meet this demand. Stochastic modeling of power density trends over time indicates that the 2050 mandate will require between 71,072 and 128,784 hectares (ha) depending on siting variables.

 

Full Abstract.

Governments worldwide are adopting ambitious policies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A New York State (NYS) legislative mandate requires net zero statewide GHG emissions by 2050 in part through decarbonizing electricity generation. However, increasing renewable energy capacity, including utility scale solar (USS), competes with land-uses such as agriculture and forestry. This case study evaluates USS historic land use to project future demand for land to meet NYS’s 2050 GHG goal. Data collected from open-source solar databases were combined with USS boundaries obtained through manual and automated digitization and Monte-Carlo and Maximum Entropy modeling were used to project the likely area and land use characteristics of future sites built to meet the projected 2050 demand for electricity. Demand for solar energy in NYS is projected to reach 116–125 terawatt hours per year by 2050, when electrification of current fossil-fueled heating and transportation sectors is taken into account. By analyzing the performance of over 300 existing USS sites across NYS, we project that approximately 100 GWDC of USS capacity can meet this demand. We found an average power density of 0.62 MWDC/ha of land for fixed axis sites and 0.59 MWDC/ha for single axis tracked sites. Stochastic modeling of power density trends over time indicates that the 2050 mandate will require between 71,072 and 128,784 hectares (ha) depending on siting variables. If trends continue, we project that between 21 386 and 27 233 ha of cropland and between 14,985 and 18,463 ha of forest could be converted to USS. For future scenarios in which conversion of annual row crop land and high-quality soils were limited, there was an increase in distance to transmission lines, number of parcels required, and complexity of site shapes, which would likely increase solar development costs. These results help bound the likely land use changes that will occur to meet electric sector GHG mitigation mandates. These results also provide information about the benefits and trade-offs of restricting the conversion of current agricultural land to solar energy production. Additionally, the approach we developed, combining analysis of fenced area, capacity factors, trends in power density over time, and projecting likely future locations for solar stochastically is applicable to many global regions with solar development on agricultural lands.

Hopefully you can access the pdf, here:

Koch_2025_Environ._Res._Lett._20_114071

https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ae0da4

Theodore W Koch et al 2025 Environ. Res. Lett. 20 114071

Great job Ted!

 

NYS fire prevention and building codes updated for Efficiency, Electrification, Energy Savings, Fire Safety, and Refrigerant GHGs.

From July 30, 2025 Urban Green Newsletter

New NYS Energy Code Approved

On Friday, the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council unanimously voted to approve the next NYS Energy Conservation Construction Code. The motion includes a monumental step which makes New York the first state to require most new buildings to be all-electric. It also boosts energy efficiency with 18% more site energy savings than the 2020 code and will save households an average of $594 in annual utility bills. The new code will go into effect on December 31, 2025.

 

“2025 ECCCNYS” means the publication entitled “2025 Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State” (publication date: July 2025) published by the International Code Council, Inc.

 

You can find all the July 2025 code revisions, here: https://dos.ny.gov/event/state-fire-prevention-and-building-code-council-meeting-july-2025?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=1b6cf91040-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_07_30_05_59&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_77e1c68116-1b6cf91040-441863773, such as

  • 2025 Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State

  • 2025 Fire Code of New York State

  • 2025 Existing Building Code of New York State

    In 1978, the State Legislature added Article 11 to the Energy Law to provide for a comprehensive energy conservation construction code applicable to all public and private buildings in New York State (including buildings located in the City of New York). Article 11, consisting of sections 11-101 through 11-110 of the Energy Law, sets forth the process by which the State Energy Conservation Construction Code (“Energy Code”) is to be developed, maintained, administered, and enforced for the conservation of energy in buildings in New York State. Both State government and local governments are participants in this process.

    In 1981, the New York State Legislature enacted legislation directing the development and implementation of an integrated, Statewide building and fire prevention code. Prior to the adoption of this legislation, the decision as to whether to adopt and enforce a building and/or fire prevention code was left to the discretion of local governments in New York State. Many municipalities, primar- ily in the more developed and densely populated areas of the State, had adopted building and/or fire prevention codes. However, there were also many communities, mostly rural in nature, where no building or fire prevention code was in effect.

    In light of the perils posed by fire and inadequate building construction, the State Legislature adopted a new Article 18 of the Executive Law to provide for an integrated and comprehensive building and fire prevention code. Article 18, consisting of sections 370 through 383 of the Executive Law, sets forth the process by which the code is to be developed, maintained, administered, and enforced for the protection of all New Yorkers. Both State government and local governments are participants in this process. The code, called the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (“Uniform Code”), took effect January 1, 1984 and prescribed minimum standards for both fire prevention and building construction. It is applicable in every municipality of the State except the City of New York, which was permitted to retain its own code.

    Although the Uniform Code took effect in 1984, its antecedents are much older. Beginning in the late 1940’s, New York State began developing a code known as the State Building Construction Code, which provided standards for the construction of buildings and the installation of equipment therein. Developing and maintaining the State Building Construction Code eventually became the responsibility of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). In the 1960’s, DHCR began developing a second code, the State Building Conservation and Fire Prevention Code, to address fire safety practices in buildings. Both of these codes were applicable in a municipality only when affirmatively adopted by the governing body. The State Building Construction Code and the State Building Conservation and Fire Prevention Code were repealed effective January 1, 1984 when they were replaced by the Uniform Code.

    ddd

  • State Environmental Quality Review Act

    A summary of significant changes from the Uniform Code and Energy Code that coincides with the list in the Final Scope and the Regulatory Impact Statements
    (RIS) for the Uniform Code and Energy Code;
    o Uniform Code significant changes:

    •  Residential sprinklers
       Temporary use of buildings in emergencies
       Powered micromobility devices
       Inflatable amusement devices
       Coordinating pool and hot tub provisions with industry standards
      and specific provisions from the ICC’s International Swimming
      Pool and Spa Code
       NYS Department of Environmental Conservation flood provisions
       A2L refrigerant safety standards
       Mass timber
       Accessible building feature language updates, including updated
      reference and coordination with ICC A117.1 to the 2017 version
       Lithium batteries
       Energy storage systems
       Occupiable roofs
       Adult changing stations
       Shipping container construction
  • o Energy Code significant changes:
    •  Fossil-fuel equipment and building systems prohibition in new
      buildings (with corresponding provisions set forth in the Uniform
      Code)
       More restrictive building thermal envelope requirements
       Eight counties that were previously in Climate Zone 6 are now in
      Climate Zone 5
       Additional efficiency credits for new buildings and existing
      buildings following the prescriptive compliance path
       Limits on the use of electric resistance space heating
       Renewable energy for commercial buildings
       Thermal bridge mitigation and documentation of energy loss
      associated with thermal bridges in commercial buildings
       Increased minimum efficiency requirements for gas-fired water
      heaters, hot-water boilers, air conditioning, and refrigeration
      equipment as mandated by federal standards
       Increased equipment efficiency for elevators
       Energy recovery ventilation required for residential buildings in
      Climate Zone 6
       Separate electric metering for low-rise multi-family dwellings

I LOVE NY!

Go Team!

State Engagement with Regional Transmission Processes: why grid design is key to sustainability!

The grid is the new ‘market place’ supporting everything we all do, every day.

Watch this 25Apr25 webinar to learn about our current grid, and how to help the grid evolve to meet our 21st century needs and goals.

 

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

The grid is not just part of de-carbonization. It helps us structurally respond to dynamic changes!

Imagine

  • a 6 day massive cold spell in the midwest causing a brown out in the midwest.
  • Then imagine the east coast that doesn’t have this extreme condition and the east grid electricity can flood to assist the mid-west.

It’s not imaginary – this webinar shows how our current grid responded to this very event in 2022.

The grid allows for large scale cross-state COLLABORATION for local resiliency and well-being!

  • What a great patriotic objective!
  • By the people for the people!

 

Well designed transmissions provides

  • optionality
  • resilience
  • insurance.

It’s in all our best interest to make a comprehensive and distributed electric grid.
Let’s work together for next generation transmission!

 

see this case study of MISO – Midcontinent ISO”

“Multi-value Grid project” designed to move power generated in the west (wind in the midwest) to east (loads in Chicago etc), approved in 2011.

RTO= regional transmission organization

ISO = Independent system operators

TRANCHE 1 changes:

TRANCHE 2 Proposals!!!

March 2025, Fossil Fuels account for less than 50% of electricity generation! Go Team!

I am beyond excited to share the following graph.

(To note, after posting I realize this includes nuclear).

https://ember-energy.org/latest-updates/fossil-fuels-fall-below-50-of-us-electricity-for-the-first-month-on-record/

Note, March is a special month and called a ‘shoulder season‘. The following bullets are taken directly from this Canary website:

  • Milder temperatures mean people use less energy to heat and cool their homes, so power demand tends to contract.
  • That has historically made shoulder seasons — the fall version runs from September to November — a good time to take fossil-fuel and nuclear power plants offline for maintenance.
  • Meanwhile, wind production peaks in the spring, and solar production comes more alive with the longer days of stronger sun. Last month, solar and wind alone met over 24% of overall U.S. power demand.

But the signs point to our shared success of generating our own local, contemporary electricity and not relying on a trust fund of fossilized energy!

Taken directly from the EMBER website:

  • The milestone is the result of a long term decline of fossil generation in the US power sector, with wind and solar growing substantially over the last decade. Ten years ago, in March 2015, fossil generation still provided 65% of US electricity generation. Wind and solar generation stood at just 5.7%. Since then, the share of wind and solar power has more than quadrupled.
  • Solar power is set to account for more than half of new generating capacity installed in the US in 2025, with more than a third of new solar panels going to Texas. Solar’s rise has been extraordinary. Ten years ago, in March 2015, solar power accounted for just 1% of US electricity generation. By March 2025, this had grown to 9.2%.
  • Last month Ember published a special report, US Electricity 2025, on the changes and trends in the US power sector last year. It found that solar was the fastest and largest growing source of electricity in the US in 2024. Wind and solar power combined rose to a record 17% of the US electricity mix in 2024, overtaking coal for the first time which accounted for 15%.

 

 

 

NY: Apply for NRCS funding to implement projects: Due March 11

NRCS New York Announces Second FY25 Application Batching Date for Conservation Program
Funding

February 11, 2025

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) New York announces Tuesday, March 11th, as the second date for Farm Bill funding applications submitted for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), EQIP Initiatives including the Great Lakes Restoration Programs (GLRI), National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI), Working Lands for Wildlife Golden- Winged Warbler, and Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA).

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

CSP helps farmers and forest landowners expand their conservation activities and take their conservation to the next level. Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities like cover crops, forest stand improvement, tree and shrub establishment and pollinator and beneficial insect habitat – all while maintaining active agricultural or forest production on their land. CSP also encourages the adoption of new technologies and new management techniques such as precision nutrient management, improved grazing systems, and new soil amendments to improve water quality. New York will use ACT NOW for all CSP ranking pools in FY25. ACT NOW allows NRCS to expedite application approval and contract obligation in a designated ranking pool when an eligible application meets or exceeds a state determined minimum ranking score.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

EQIP helps farmers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands. EQIP offers financial and technical assistance to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to implement practices which address resource concerns, including soil health, water quality and habitat degradation. Focus areas include cropland, pastureland, forestland, farmstead and wildlife. Examples of practices implemented include cover crops, reduced tillage, high and low tunnels, pasture management, early successional forest habitat, forest stand improvement and manure storage facilities. Many practices now have cost scenarios for small farms so that the specialized costs needed for these operations can be better managed. New York will use ACT NOW for the High Tunnel and Conservation Planning Activity ranking pools in FY25. ACT NOW allows NRCS to expedite application approval and contract obligation in a designated ranking pool when an eligible application meets or exceeds a state determined minimum ranking score.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)

GLRI helps NRCS accelerate conservation efforts on private lands located in targeted watersheds affecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Through GLRI, NRCS-NY works with farmers and landowners to protect watersheds and shorelines from non-point source pollution.

National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)

NWQI allows NRCS to target on-farm conservation investments and water quality monitoring to improve impaired watersheds. NRCS-NY is currently focused on using NWQI to enhance watersheds of the Cohocton River.

Golden- Winged Warbler (GWWA)

The Golden-Winged Warbler is a migratory songbird that depends on early successional, young forest habitat for breeding and nesting. This habitat has declined as forests have aged. Landowners are assisting this at-risk bird by voluntarily improving the health and diversity of their forests.

How to Apply:

Submit applications at your local NRCS Service Center. All applications are competitive and are ranked based on national, state and locally identified resource priorities and overall benefit to the environment. Applications accepted after March 11, 2025, will be considered in the next batching period.

Reforestation Demonstration Nursery Incubation Grant (pre-proposals due Feb 7)

The Nature Conservancy in New York: Reforestation Demonstration Nursery Incubation Grant Request for Proposals (RFP)

 

Business Unit (BU) Procurement Contact: Mandy St. Hilaire

Email: ReforestNY@tnc.org

 

The Nature Conservancy in New York seeks proposals from nursery professionals to expand nursery capacity and enable reforestation efforts in New York state

 

New York’s reforestation goals are ambitious and require an exponential increase of native tree stock to be achieved. The Nature Conservancy in New York has launched a Reforestation Demonstration project to test methods to increase tree planting in New York state, particularly in the northwestern and southern-tier regions. As part of this demonstration, TNC will be awarding a total of $300,000 in Nursery Incubation Grant funding to eligible entities that can supply native tree stock to New York. The number of grants awarded will be determined in the evaluation process. Applicants can apply for an award amount not below $50,000 and not exceeding $300,000, the total amount of available funds. TNC will pair the award(s) with a multi-year advance procurement contract to build nursery capacity and enable further investments to meet future demand.

 

TNC requests proposals from nursery professionals for this incubation grant project to increase native tree production capacity. As part of this grant, TNC is interested in partnering with recipients to improve seed collection processes, invest in nursery infrastructure and workforce development, and improve coordination and logistics. The goal of this grant is to increase native trees in the NY reforestation supply chain by investing in native tree nursery capacity. This grant, paired with an advance procurement contract, aims to increase the number of trees in the NY reforestation supply chain by up to 100,000 trees by 2028.

 

The award application process will consist of two selection rounds: a pre-proposal round and a full proposal round. A review committee will evaluate applications at both stages. All applicants will submit a pre-proposal including an Applicant questionnaire, employee resumes, and a statement of purpose. Pre-proposals must be submitted via this form by 5:00 PM ET on February 7th, 2025. After evaluating the pre-proposals, TNC will invite a small number of applicants to submit a full proposal, which will include a detailed business plan, description of stock provenance tracking processes, and references. TNC will send requests for full proposals by February 14th, 2025, and full proposals will be due by March 14th, 2025. Upon the completion of the full proposal stage, TNC will select one or more award recipients for a project start in June 2025. More information on this process is in the remainder of the attached RFP. All RFP documents can be found in a public folder here.

 

All Applicant queries must be submitted to TNC’s local BU Procurement Contact through the email address ReforestNY@tnc.org. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to seek clarification if they do not fully understand elements of the application process.

 

 

New Year Thanks to Next Generation Farming!

Well,  the De-Carbonizing Energy Expo was back on November 20, and I’m just now getting to blog about it!

To start, I wish to thank the undergraduates who came out to help us set up at 7am! They are part of the Alpha Gamma Rho Zeta Chapter Fraternity! The Agricultural Discipline Fraternity on Campus! Special Thanks to John Whitney (also part of Alpha Gamma Rho Zeta, CALS Animal and Life Sciences class of 1982) CCE-Erie who retired in December. Intergenerational Cornelians making the first De-Carbonizing Energy Expo happen on campus!

Crisp Apple Thanks in the photo to:

  • Erik Verdehem – ’25
  • Avery Pound – ’25
  • Austin Bares – ’26
  • Aidan Ainsle – ’25
  • Tommy Fenwick – ’25
  • John Whitney – ’82

Community Appreciation Also to:

  • Andy Turner and Cooperative Extension for financial and other support
  • Eveline Ferretti and the Mann Library Support Team for the space and resources for the indoor exhibitors!
  • Julie Parsons and the Grounds Team that managed all the outdoor exhibitor needs!
  • Julie Bazen – Cornell Career Services for supporting events for Green Jobs!
  • Western NY Program Work Team (including members from CCE-Erie, CCE-Livingston, CCE-Niagara & CCE-Tompkins that enthusiastically joined in bring AgEnergyNY support) for Spearheading this!
  • Ellie Dodd and the Entire University Events Team for helping us make it all happen safely!
  • CCE InService Team, especially Sarah Muzio and Keith Tidball (Natural Resource Track)
  • CALS Soil and Crop Sciences, Amy Collins, Cheyenne Cotton, and a special shout out to Sue Hoskins and SIPS Craig Cramer

 

Weatherizing Homes – CCE-Niagara!

Inside the TinyHouse -CCE-Tompkins!

Our fearless landscaping member -CCE-Livingston!

Watch our November 19 “Electrify NY” Panel for Annual CCE InService

Spring Webinar Series: Climate and Communities 3rd wed/month 2pm EST, free

Join us for 4 free webinars scheduled for this spring from across the United States.

DATES

TIME

  • 2 pm EST
  • Please register for each event of interest

Most events will be recorded and shared publicly here, after the event recording has been processed.

 

January 22, 2 pm EST: Civic Engagement for Climate Action, recording, here.

We know that climate education can play a crucial role in raising awareness and building understanding of climate change, its causes, likely impacts, and potential solutions. However, we also know we need to go beyond learning about climate change to build individual and collective capacity for effective climate action and justice. We can do this through civic engagement. The question is how can we best design and implement effective civic engagement programs that truly empower action and justice?

In this webinar, we will introduce the new Educating for Climate Action and Justice: Guidelines for Excellence—the latest contribution to the North American Association for Environmental Education’s Guidelines for Excellence Series. The guidelines are designed to assist educators in developing and implementing effective programs that focus on climate change, address injustice, and prompt action. We’ll discuss how these guidelines might support Extension programs or inspire new initiatives. We will also introduce readily available resources that you can use in your climate action programs.

Co-PRESENTERS

  • Martha Monroe, Professor Emerita, University of Florida
  • Bora Simmons, Director, National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education

KEY RESOURCE:

SPEAKER BIOS

  • Martha Monroe was an Extension Specialist at UF’s School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences specializing in environmental education and conservation behavior. She used current issues (wildfire, water quality, biomass) to explore public perceptions and effective educational strategies, blending extension, research, and teaching responsibilities. She published over 120 peer reviewed articles and mentored 150 graduate students.  In retirement she is focusing on climate education, along with some pottery and a lot of baking.
  • Bora Simmons serves as the founding director of the National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education. The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) initiated the Project in 1993 to help educators develop and deliver effective environmental education programs. Bora has been actively involved in environmental education research, evaluation, and professional development for over forty years. She is professor emerita of environmental education at Northern Illinois University. In addition, she served as president of NAAEE, serves on numerous steering committees and boards of directors, and was an executive editor of the Journal of Environmental Education. She serves as co-chair of NAAEE’s Advisory Council and is a founding editor of the International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education.

 

 

February 19, 2 pm EST: State Climate Mitigation Policies and Incentives, recording here!

In this 1 hour webinar, learn about 2 different national search platforms to identify your state policies and incentives to address climate issues at home. The goal of this webinar is to connect local citizens with their local mandates, goals, and financial levers to empower local action.

 

TITLE: Intro to NC Clean Energy Technology Center and Tutorial for DSIRE (Database of States Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency)

  • Rebekah de la Mora, Senior Policy Analyst, North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center, North Carolina State University
  • Learn about the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center, an extension center out of North Carolina State University’s College of Engineering specializing in clean energy. Among other things, the Center is home to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), a public good that provides information on incentives and policies that support renewable energy and energy efficiency across the country. Get a live DSIRE how-to on database navigation, the different types of programs included, and additional resources available.
  • Key Resource: https://www.dsireusa.org/support/tutorial/

TITLE: Introduction to Climate XChange and the State Climate Policy Dashboard

  • Ruby Wincele, Policy & Research Manager, Climate XChange
  • Climate XChange’s State Climate Policy Dashboard is an all-in-one tool that transforms how advocates and other climate actors research climate policy. The tool features information on over 60 climate policies for all 50 states, with in-depth state examples, model legislation, enacted policy text, and other resources to help craft the most effective policies, adopt best practices, and accelerate climate policy progress. Join us for a walk through of the Dashboard, focusing on how the tool can be used in practice by policymakers, advocates, and other state actors.
  • Key Resource: https://www.climatepolicydashboard.org/

SPEAKER BIOS

  • Rebekah de la Mora is a Senior Policy Analyst at the NC Clean Energy Technology Center at NC State University. The Center is home to the Database of States Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), a public good that provides information on policies and programs related to clean energy at the federal, state, local, and utility level across the United States. She covers six states and territories for DSIRE: Connecticut, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and Texas. Her areas of focus include distributed solar, grid modernization, electric vehicles, power decarbonization, microgrids and resiliency, and hydrogen.
  • Ruby Wincele is the Policy & Research Manager at Climate XChange, a national nonprofit with a mission to advance equitable climate policy at the state-level. She manages CXC’s State Climate Policy Dashboard and serves as CXC’s in-house expert on state climate policy landscapes. She also researches the economic, social, and environmental benefits of state climate policy, and provides technical assistance to policymakers and advocates working to pass equitable climate policy in their states.

 

March 19, 2 pm EST: Solar & Environmental Justice, recording Here!

Theme: Solar Power Opportunities for Redevelopment and Low-Income Communities

This webinar will bring together speakers from NJIT’s Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities program, Rocky Mountain Institute, and NC Clean Energy Technology to discuss how to implement solar energy in the redevelopment of contaminated lands (brownfields) and in low-income communities. Audience members will walk away with a better understanding of the economic and workforce development opportunities offered by revitalizing brownfields with solar energy (brightfields) and an example of North Carolina’s efforts to provide low-cost energy and workforce opportunities to low-income households via solar energy.

 

PRESENTIONS

TITLE: Brownfields and their Economic and Energy Opportunities

TITLE: Brightfields opportunities and challenges

  • Speaker: Tansy Massey-Green, Senior Associate, RMI
  • Brightfields (or clean energy on brownfields) offer an exciting opportunity to revitalize contaminated sites, meet communities’ clean energy goals, develop a local clean energy workforce, and generate revenue for the community. They come with challenges unique to developing clean energy on contaminated lands, such as required clean up and special design considerations. This presentation will give you an overview of the opportunities, discuss the challenges, and discuss what RMI is doing to support communities in developing brightfields.
  • Key Resource: https://rmi.org/us-program/brightfields-accelerator/

TITLE: Solar for All – Engagement plans for rural communities

SPEAKER BIOS

  • Ms. Martin strives to create safe, vibrant, and resilient communities as an environmental planning professional. She currently serves as the subject matter expert on climate resiliency and sustainability at NJIT ‘s Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities (TAB). TAB provides free technical assistance to state, regional, county, tribal, and local government entities and nonprofit organizations interested in learning about, identifying, assessing, cleaning up, and redeveloping brownfield sites in EPA Regions 2 & 4. Ms. Martin holds a Master of City and Regional Planning (M.C.R.P.) and a graduate certificate in Coastal Climate Risk & Resilience from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She received her bachelor’s degree in public policy and environmental policy from William & Mary.
  • Tansy Massey-Green is a Senior Associate on RMI’s Cities & Communities team at Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), supporting RMI’s Brightfields Accelerator aimed at helping communities consider deploying clean energy in brownfields and closed landfills. She has supported cities in shaping their brightfield projects by identifying available funding, navigating utility engagement, and facilitating stakeholder engagement. She also manages the America’s Federal Funding Opportunities and Resources for Decarbonization (AFFORD) tool, designed to help subnational actors navigate federal funding and financing opportunities. Previously, Tansy worked on the America Is All In coalition at RMI, where she helped states, cities, businesses, and nonprofits understand and utilize clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act. Tansy has a double degree B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.   
  • Vincent Potter is a Policy Project Manager with the NC Clean Tech Center. Vincent’s focus is on community solar programs, community energy resiliency, grid modernization, and decarbonization in the power sector. He researches policy changes of states and utilities in the mid-atlantic region for the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIREUSA.org).

 

April 16, 2 pm EST: One Health & Climate

In this webinar, the speakers will discuss the frame work of “One Health” with a special focus on Climate.

PRESENTIONS

TITLE: Introduction to “One Health”

  • Speaker: Sharon Toth,
  • Sharon will cover the basics of One Health, including what is means and how it relates to Extension.

TITLE: Protecting the public from wildfire smoke

  • Speaker: Alistar Hayden
  • Wildfire smoke waves have been impacting communities from coast to coast. We will discuss the wildfire smoke hazard and what people can do to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from this hazard.
  • Key Resource: https://blogs.cornell.edu/wildfire/

TITLE: Collaboration Across Human and More-Than-Human Worldviews

  • Speaker: Scott Laursen
  • Extensive research in emotion, resilience, and adaptation suggests that experiencing meaning in life can buffer against negative stressors and that individuals with a greater sense of community and relational strengths are often better able to withstand adverse experiences while achieving mental wellbeing (i.e., adaptation and resilience). As an example of One Health’s foundation of uniting the health of human and more-than-human communities, Scott will touch on some of his experiences earning sustenance and relationships in remote locations while leading outdoor education expeditions. He will then share how such experiences led to the co-development of a graduate research program founded in engaging diverse knowledge forms and long-term, placed-based relationships.
  • Key Resource: PI-CASC Manager Climate Corps (MCC homepage) and MCC Program Approach (engaging multiple knowledge forms)

 

SPEAKER BIOS

  • Dr. Sharon Toth is a County 4-H Agent in New Jersey where she focuses on integrating One Health into her programming. Her research background examined ACL ruptures in the knee by using dogs as an anatomical model, utilizing her knowledge, skills, and experiences from growing up in the 4-H dog program.
  • Alistair Hayden is an Assistant Professor of Practice in Cornell’s Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, and former Division Chief in the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. His research and practice aims to help communities increase their preparedness and resilience, using geospatial and epidemiological methods to understand and link the physical aspects of natural hazards with the human aspects that can turn them into disasters.
  • Scott is a naturalist, facilitator, and educator. Over a few decades, he has rooted his path in engaging diverse knowledge forms within the human condition through immersion experiences that develop and strengthen holistic relationships across human and more-than-human interactions. The intent of such engagement is to unite diverse worldviews in support of local adaptation through unprecedented socio-ecological change by further developing our ancestral and evolutionary capacities.

 

HOST: this “CONNECTING CLIMATE to COMMUNITIES” webinar series is hosted by National Extension Climate Initiative (NECI) Curriculum Working Group (CWG) – a volunteer group looking to share resources amongst interested extension educators. We meet 2nd Wednesday of the month at 2pm EST.

THIS PROGRAM WAS CURATED BY NECI CWG ACTIVE MEMBERS SPRING 2025

David Kay, New York

James Shope, New Jersey

Sharon Toth, New Jersey

Patricia Townsend, Washington

Rebecca Ward, North Carolina

Jenifer Wightman, New York

Join us or any NECI working group -learn more here: https://nationalextensionclimateinitiative.net/workinggroups/

Electrify Farm Equipment! NRCS-NY offers incentives!

With Delight I’m so happy to share this latest opportunity!

(applicable to farms switching away from fossil powered equipment or maple syrup folks reducing energy through reverse osmosis etc). Think broadly!

NRCS-NY offers Conservation Practice Standard 372 “Combustion System Improvement” to improve air quality, energy efficiency.

January 2, 2025

USDA’s Natural Resource and Conservation Service in New York (NRCS) offers a conservation practice will help producers across the state improve air quality and energy efficiency.

Syracuse, New York. (January 2, 2025) – USDA’s Natural Resource and Conservations Service in New York (NRCS) has adopted a FY25 NRCS Climate-Smart Activity which will help producers across the state improve air quality and energy efficiency.

Conservation Practice Standard 372 “Combustion System Improvement” is now available to New York producers interested in defraying the costs associated with the replacement of in use, high-emission tractors and other off road mobile agricultural equipment with new and highly efficient equipment. Replacement can be in the form of electric powered motor or lower emitting diesel powered motors.

The primary goal of this practice is to help farmers and ranchers improve energy efficiency and improve air quality across New York. The conservation practice targets oxides of nitrogen emissions and energy savings. Any equipment purchased prior to contract execution is ineligible. Any contracted equipment replaced must be with new equipment that has a minimum performance lifespan of 10 years. The in-use equipment must be disabled and properly disposed of when the new equipment is put into use. Contracted payments will not be issued until the new equipment is received and proof of proper disposal of the old equipment is documented.

The practice is available in New York through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). NRCS accepts applications for these programs year-round. Submission of a program application does not guarantee funding. EQIP and CSP are voluntary, technical, and financial assistance programs designed to help farmers, ranchers, forestland owners, and Tribes with the application of conservation measures. These programs focus strongly on conservation planning, conservation implementation, and solving natural resource concerns.

Each applicant must establish themselves as a USDA customer and obtain all Farm Service Agency (FSA) eligibility requirements. Please note, Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) determination takes an average three weeks to be processed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

To learn how to get started with NRCS, click here, or visit your local USDA service center.

For more information about EQIP, please refer to the NRCS-New York EQIP Program Webpage. For more information about CSP, please refer to the NRCS-New York CSP Program Webpage . To learn how to sign up for free email and text alerts about the latest NRCS program and national funding opportunities, click here.