Collaborate to Improve Energy Conservation and Efficiency on Your Farm, Home or Non-Farm Business
(and Save Money!)
(note this fact sheet was made for Western NY, but is generally applicable to the state! Thanks for sharing John Whitney!)
Jordan Miller, EnSave, Inc., (contractor on Behalf of NYSERDA)
John Whitney, Agricultural Educator, CCE-Erie
Josh Randall, Natural Resources Educator, CCE-Niagara
Farms in Western New York counties are playing a vital role in the overall success of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Agriculture Energy Audit Program (AEAP). In Erie and Niagara Counties alone 82 farms have participated and received no-cost energy audits through the AEAP. The estimated annual energy cost savings from these 82 farms is $677,443. equipment and system modifications, if installed, mean on-farm fuel savings, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and a stronger and more sustainable agriculture community. But we need your help to do even more.
Collaborative Opportunities for Farms
- Agriculture Energy Audit Program (AEAP): This program offers NY state farmers no-cost energy audits to help identify energy efficiency opportunities on their farm. https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Agriculture-Energy-Assistance/Agriculture-Energy-Audit
- REAP Technical Assistance Program (RTAP): This program has been designed to assist farmers at no cost to make applications to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). If awarded, farmers can receive reimbursement for up to 50% of the total project cost. https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Agriculture-Energy-Assistance/REAP-Technical-Assistance-Program
- Energy Best Practices for Agriculture: The best practices have been developed to help educate producers about energy efficient technologies, how they function, the average cost, as well as an average payback in years. https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Agriculture-Energy-Assistance/Energy-Best-Practices-for-Agriculture
- AgEnergyNY: Agricultural sectors other than dairy and greenhouse operations can receive assistance both with no-cost energy audits and with assistance in identifying grants, loans, and rebates to support energy conservation work. https://agenergyny.org
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) EQIP On-Farm Energy Initiative: The Environmental Quality Incentives program through USDA NRCS provides direct payments both for energy audits and for select energy conservation measures. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/on-farm-energy-initiative
- USDA Rural Development energy efficiency programs: A variety of grants are available to support both energy efficiency and renewable energy production and use. https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/energy-programs. REAP/RTAP referred to above is designed to help farms through the planning and application process.
To learn more about these programs, click: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Agriculture-Energy-Assistance
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, CCE-Erie will host a Western New York Ag Energy Efficiencies Webinar from 12:00-1:30 pm. Gabriel Gurley, the Ag Energy NY Program Manager will discuss these many opportunities in more detail. Watch for registration details.
Energy Conservation for Homes and Businesses
While these agricultural energy conservation programs do not directly support home and non-farm businesses, NYSERDA is funding a network of clean energy conservation “hubs” across New York State. In Western New York, under the leadership of PUSH Buffalo/PUSH Green, the WNY Clean Energy Hub is coordinating home and business assistance for:
- Home Energy Surveys
- Energy Efficiency & Weatherization
- Clean Heating and Cooling
- Rooftop Solar
- Community Solar
- Green Jobs
- Health and Safety
Seven partner organizations, under the leadership of PUSH Green (under the PUSH Buffalo umbrella) are collaborating to support this NYSERDA-funded initiative:
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County (eme67@cornell.edu)
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County (jmr486@cornell.edu)
- Erie County (rosa@erie.gov)
- Inclusive Property Capital (westernny@inclusiveteam.org)
- Monarch of Infinite Possibilities LLC (themonarchoip@gmail.com)
- Sustainable Business Roundtable (info@wnysustainablebusiness.org)
- WNY 211 (just dial 211!)
If you have any questions or if you want to discuss these opportunities and services in person, contact:
- Jordon Miller, Contractor on behalf of NYSERDA, EnSave Inc., 802-434-1872, or Toll Free 800-732-1399, jordanm@ensave.com, (ensave.com);
- John Whitney, Agricultural Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension – Erie, 716-796-3204, jrw44@cornell.edu;
- Josh Randall, Natural Resources Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension-Niagara
716-433-8839, jmr486@cornell.edu;
- Lou DeJesus, Community Energy Program Manager, PUSH Green, 716-886-1780 x215
- Gabriel Gurley, Ag Energy NY Program Manager, Cornell Cooperative Extension-Tompkins, (607) 272-2292 ext.248, rg523@cornell.edu
