In 2022, the New York State Legislature and Governor passed legislation mandating all school buses purchased after 2027 must be zero-emission, with the goal of fully electrified fleets by 2035. The law has raised both praise and concern among North Country communities.

In this month's What's Up North blog, North Country Clean Energy Hub Energy Advisor Carson Schweinsberg and ANCA Climate & Energy Program Director Jill Henck discuss the policy, including exemption waivers, incentives, and real-world benefits and limitations associated with electric school buses.

Watts & Wheels Event Set for Sept. 27

For the second year, The Wild Center, Third Act Upstate NY, and the North Country Clean Energy Hub will co-host a celebration to raise awareness about the many benefits of EVs, solar power and clean energy. Visitors will have the chance to talk with local EV owners and experts showcasing their vehicles, visit with community organizations focused on clean energy, and attend programming about innovative solar solutions.

Entry to The Wild Center is free throughout the day, which will feature family-friendly activities and the chance to see the Sun Day Wool tapestry!

• What: Watts & Wheels Celebration
• When: Saturday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where: The Wild Center, Tupper Lake
• Cost: FREE

The Hub is Here to Help

"The most rewarding part for me is seeing households experience those benefits... When we see actual improvements in people's day-to-day lives because of the work we're doing."

The Adirondack Explorer reached out to ANCA Clean Energy Hub Director Erin Griffin to learn more about how ANCA and our North Country Clean Energy Hub partners are helping residents and businesses access clean energy and energy-efficiency programs and benefits.

Energy Assistance for Daycares & Nonprofits

The Hub is offering technical assistance and funding opportunities to assist daycare centers and other eligible nonprofit organizations providing critical services in completing energy efficiency and heating system upgrades. These improvements can include insulation upgrades, electrical upgrades, and/or installation of heat pump systems.

Learn more about this program, eligibility, and the full Request for Proposals at the link below.

NY Cooperative Summit Set for October

ANCA and CBIT look forward to participating in this year's New York Cooperative Summit in Albany on Saturday, October 4, 2025. This one-day event brings together cooperative members, leaders, organizers, and allies to share practical tools and strategies for starting, sustaining, and scaling the co-op ecosystem across New York State. 

Celebrating Composting at Jay Day

CfG is honored to support the Town of Jay in their goals toward Climate Smart Communities Certification through food scrap collection and composting projects. The CfG team met with over 25 Jay residents at this year’s Jay Day to discuss future projects in the Town, with more to come!

Missed us this year? Join CfG at the Sustainability & Energy Fair on September 6 in Jay.

Project Funding for Farms and Businesses

North Country entrepreneurs and farmers are invited to explore a federal funding opportunity for energy efficiency and clean energy improvements.

ANCA’s REAP ADK+ program helps connect small businesses and farms with grants through the USDA’s Rural Energy For America Program (REAP). The program reimburses a portion of the costs of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

To learn more, contact ANCA's Jon Ignatowski at jignatoski@adirondack.org.

ANCA's 8th Bike the Barns has sold out! But you can still sign up to get on the waitlist.

This year's ride will be based at historic Camp Dudley in Westport, NY with stops at local farms and food venues including Essex Food Hub, DaCy Meadow Farm, Echo Farm, and Barred Owl Brook Farm.

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

We are grateful for the support of our Bike the Barns Sponsors.

Thank you to the growing list of businesses and organizations for helping make this annual event possible.

Want to support this year's ride? View the 2025 Bike the Barns Sponsor Prospectus, or contact ANCA's Caitlin Bottcher at cbottcher@adirondack.org to learn about sponsorship opportunities and benefits.

Make It a Local Food Weekend!

On Saturday, September 20, the day before Bike the Barns, the Westport community will be hosting a number of family-friendly events that highlight our region's local food producers and rural landscapes. So plan ahead to spend time with our Bike the Barns partners and sponsors before your morning ride!

10 a.m. - Take a self-guided pre-festival hike on Champlain Area Trails at DaCy Meadow Farm. Parking and shuttle provided. Register today.

12 to 5 p.m. - Enjoy a farmers’ market, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, live music, kids’ activities, performances, local food & drink, and more at the Adirondack Harvest Festival, located at the historic Essex County Fairgrounds. Learn more.

5 to 8 p.m. - Load up on whole grain pasta at Trigo. This special Italian-themed menu with local foods from area farms is provided by Triple Green Jade Farm. Learn more & sign up.

Visit our jobs page for openings with member and partner organizations and regional nonprofits:

• Welcome Center Representative & Engagement Coordinator: Saranac Area Chamber of Commerce
• Resource Development Specialist: Cooperative Development Institute
• Office Administrator: Adirondack Land Trust
• Administrative Officer: Adirondack Community Foundation

Have an opening you want to promote? Send a web link to jobs@adirondack.org.