Looking for a crash course on renewable energy?

Check out our Online Teach-In Archive!

The goal of each online teach-in is to provide an overview of the importance of renewable energy in meeting our climate and clean energy goals, creating green jobs and healthier communities, as well as providing opportunities to take action. Field experts from across the state present and discuss a variety of today’s clean energy topics and answer questions from our audience.

If you have an idea for a teach-in, please connect with us!

4.8.25 – “Targeted Electrification in New York State”

NYCP hosts Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) Executive Director, Jessica Azulay and Juan-Pablo Velez, Executive Director of Switchbox to present on their new report entitled: “Targeted Electrification in New York State An Alternative to Leak-Prone Pipeline Replacement.” The report compares the cost of replacing aging gas distribution pipes to the cost of fully electrifying the buildings served by those gas pipes.

The report finds that targeted electrification could save ratepayers billions of dollars even when the full cost of electrification is taken into account. The NY HEAT Act would allow utilities to invest in building electrification instead of gas pipe replacement where it makes the most sense.

Missed the event? No problem. You can still access the recording of the teach-in, and you can check out the presenters’ slides here.

Featured speakers were:

  • Jessica Azulay – Executive Director, Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE)
  • Juan-Pablo Velez – Executive Director, Switchbox

3.12.25 “Energy Affordability”

In March, we gathered advocates, organizers, and energy experts for the “Energy Affordability in New York: Understanding the Crisis and Taking Action” Teach-In.

Across the state, over 1.3 million residential accounts are more than 60 days behind on utility payments, with total arrears reaching nearly $1.9 billion. Low- and moderate-income New Yorkers are disproportionately affected, often paying far more than the state’s recommended energy burden threshold of 6% of household income. As utility debt mounts and the cost of maintaining fossil fuel infrastructure continues to rise, ratepayers are footing the bill—unless bold action is taken.

These conversations highlighted critical budget priorities, including full funding for the EAP, support for the NY HEAT Act, and the Green Affordable Pre-Electrification (GAP) Fund. Together, these efforts can ensure New Yorkers are no longer forced to choose between paying their energy bills and meeting other basic needs.

Missed the event? No problem. You can still access the recording of the teach-in, and you can check out the presenters’ slides here.

Featured speakers were:

  • Laurie Wheelock (Public Utility Law Project), who outlined the scale of the utility debt crisis and the urgent need to expand programs like the Energy Affordability Program (EAP);

  • Allison Considine (Building Decarbonization Coalition), who explained how billions of dollars are still being spent on outdated gas pipelines, and how the NY HEAT Act offers a smarter, more affordable path forward;
  • Annie Carforo (WE ACT for Environmental Justice), who shared actionable programs and policy tools that can help reduce the energy burden for vulnerable households.

1.29.25 ” The GAP Fund: Bridging the Equity Gap in Home Energy Efficiency”

In January, our expert panel and advocates joined us for the “The GAP Fund: Bridging the Equity Gap in Home Energy Efficiency” Teach-In. We’re energized by the important conversations and engagement around ensuring all New Yorkers—especially low- and moderate-income households—can access home energy upgrades that improve health, lower costs, and support an equitable clean energy transition.

In New York, many low- and moderate-income households face financial and structural barriers that prevent them from accessing home energy efficiency upgrades. Outdated wiring, insulation issues, and other health and safety hazards can disqualify homes from participating in existing clean energy programs. These barriers leave vulnerable communities with high energy bills, inefficient homes, and unsafe living conditions. To address this issue, legislators have introduced the GAP Fund (S8535 González/A9170 Kelles), a funding mechanism designed to eliminate these pre-electrification barriers and ensure equitable access to clean energy solutions.

Since its introduction, advocates have highlighted the GAP Fund’s potential to support economy-wide decarbonization, improve indoor air quality, and lower energy costs for New Yorkers who need it most. However, despite its importance, the GAP Fund is not currently included in the state budget, making advocacy efforts essential to securing funding. The fund would provide critical financial support for necessary home repairs, ensuring that more households can transition to cleaner, healthier, and more affordable energy solutions.

Missed the event? No problem. You can still access the recording of the teach-in, and you can check out the presenters’ slides here.

Featured speakers were:

11.15.24 “Get Charged up for the NYS Energy Plan”

In September, 2024, New York State kicked off the process to develop the State Energy Plan, which is supposed to be a comprehensive roadmap for a clean, resilient, and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. The Energy Plan was last updated in 2020, when it was amended to incorporate the objectives of the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act). Since the 2020 update, the Climate Action Council produced its Scoping Plan, examining many of the energy issues that contribute to climate change and offering a number of recommendations for the State to implement. The State Energy Planning Board will now convene to begin the process of producing a draft, then a final plan, for this planning cycle. Currently planned to be considered by the Board in December 2025, the final plan will provide a 15-year outlook and focus on strategies to meet future energy needs and advance economy-wide decarbonization. The Hochul Administration has also expressed a desire to balance decarbonization with reliability, affordability, environmental and public health impacts and economic growth.

The climate emergency is here; how will New York’s Energy Plan meet this moment? New York State is required to update the State Energy Plan every 5 years and 2025 is the year a new plan will be put in place. What is the importance of the Energy Plan? Will the Energy Plan be compliant with the Climate Law? How can advocates participate to ensure the Energy Plan will result in a swift and equitable transition to clean energy?

If you missed this teach-in you can watch the recording here along with the presenter’s slides:

Speakers included:

10.01.24 “The False Solutions Jeopardizing NY’s Climate Progress”

New York has set an ambitious climate plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but false solutions threaten to derail progress. In this teach-in, we will examine three problematic solutions: so-called “renewable natural gas,” hydrogen blending for buildings, and carbon capture and storage, all of which could impede real climate action.

Missed this one? Find the recording here along with the presenters slides:

Take Action:

Sign up to go to Albany with Renewable Heat Now on Wednesday, January 29th: https://actionnetwork.org/events/renewable-heat-now-albany-rally-and-lobby-day?clear_id=true

Guest Speakers:

● Hillary Aidun, Earthjustice

● Erin Murphy, Environmental Defense Fund

● Carolyn Raffensperger, The Science and Environmental Health Network

—————————————————————————–

Hillary Aidun, Senior Associate Attorney Earthjustice A senior associate attorney in the Northeast Regional Office. Hillary works to advance environmental justice in the northeast region and advocates for meaningful and equitable implementation of New York’s climate law in state court and before administrative agencies. Before joining Earthjustice Hillary was a fellow at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, where she worked on expanding renewable energy resources, challenging federal regulatory rollbacks, and tracking New York State climate law.

Erin Murphy, Senior Attorney, Energy Markets & Utility Regulation Areas of expertise: Natural gas and electricity market design, natural gas policy, utility regulation. Erin represents EDF in regulatory proceedings involving the design of wholesale and retail natural gas markets, seeking to facilitate the clean energy transformation. She advocates before state public utility commissions for gas supply planning mechanisms to prevent unneeded long-term investments in gas infrastructure, and for utility adoption of programs to reduce methane emissions from gas distribution networks. Erin also advocates before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for new and better ways to facilitate renewable energy integration and harmonize the wholesale natural gas and electricity markets.

Carolyn Raffensperger, Executive Director Environmental Health Network. While working as an archaeologist in the desert Southwest of the U.S., she was enchanted by the beauty of the landscape and horrified at the environmental threats posed by dams, mining and toxic waste disposal. She left archaeology to work for the Sierra Club in Illinois. The desire to protect the rivers, prairie and desert led her to law school. Her graduate school training in archaeology and her law school education provides the tools Carolyn needs to serve her clients—the future generations of all species.

9.25.24 “Climate Week NYC Event: Greening New York’s Grid by 2030”

New York’s Climate Law stated we should reach 70% renewable energy by 2030, and we always knew this would be a difficult task. New York underwent a massive shift to renewable energy, and despite tremendous progress, there were still many roadblocks that kept projects from reaching construction and operation. We heard from experts on why we needed to dig in on our commitment to the transition and what policies we needed to implement to get us there. We focused on successes and lessons learned over the last four years and laid out specific ways the public could support these policies. Every megawatt of clean, renewable energy that came online and served New York’s power grid was a win for New Yorkers, and we needed to do everything we could to deploy as many renewables as possible by 2030.

In our three-part program, we began with a keynote presentation on the efforts made by our elected officials and the renewable energy industry to build projects in an expedited, yet responsible manner, followed by presentations that focused on how distributed energy (residential and community solar, and battery storage) would play an important part in our transition. Our main panel discussion focused on why this transition should be a top priority in New York, with an emphasis on environmental justice and the economic and health benefits of our renewable transition. At the end of the program, a light lunch was served.

Here is the recording of the event, check out our Facebook album, and check out the Presenters’ slide from the renewable energy deep dive segment:

Take Action

During the event we discussed the importance of New Yorkers across the state doing their part in helping New York reach its renewable energy goals. One easy way to get involved is by taking action today:

Text “GREEN GRID” to 52886 or click here to urge Govenor Kathy Hochul to take these next steps in progressing NYs clean energy future.

9.12.24 “Climate Anxiety: A Panel Discussion”

On Thursday, September 12, 2024, the NYS Chapters Coalition hosted an engaging panel discussion on the growing issue of climate anxiety and how it affects people across different age groups and professions. The event featured expert insights from Dr. Jennifer Fendya (licensed psychologist), Dr. Divya Gupta (environmental social scientist), and Lauren Kim (NYU student and climate activist).

The panel explored various dimensions of climate anxiety, from the emotional burden felt by young people to the psychological and community-level responses to the climate crisis. The conversation also touched on how emotions like fear and anger can drive positive action and how we can support individuals experiencing anxiety.

For those who missed the live session, the full panel recording is available on our NYCP YouTube channel.

Panelists:

  • Dr. Jennifer Fendya, Licensed Psychologist
  • Dr. Divya Gupta, PhD, Environmental Social Scientist
  • Lauren Kim, Co-chair, Climate Reality NYU Chapter

9.9.24 “Support the Supporters – Distributed Solar Makes Big Impacts”

As New York transitions to clean energy, community involvement is crucial to the success of renewable energy projects like wind and solar. These projects not only help combat climate change but also bring local benefits, such as job creation and healthier environments. In this meeting of the Support the Supporter network, led and moderated by Len Lunka, Renewables Outreach Coordinator with NYCP, participants will explore case studies of community solar projects in New York and discuss their significance as we push for larger utility-scale renewable initiatives to take effect.

Speakers:

  • Jonathan Cohen Policy Director, NYSEIA
  • Kate Selden Senior Policy Analyst, Solar One

7.31.24 “Equitable and Affordable Energy Transition With Cap-and-Invest”

During this Teach-In we learned why a strong cap-and-invest program will help us achieve our climate targets with cleaner air, improved public health, and good jobs. We heard from state agency experts and clean energy and environmental justice advocates about how the program will work and the need to make it as ambitious and equitable as possible.

Speakers:

• Sameer Ranade, Senior Advisor for Climate Justice, NYSERDA
• Dale Bryk, Director of State & Regional Policies at Harvard Environmental & Energy Law Program; Senior Fellow at RPA 
• Eric Walker, Energy Justice Senior Policy Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice

View the speaker slides here. The Q&A doc can be found here.

Take action for an Equitable & Ambitious Cap-and-Invest Program by filling out our easy comment tool

7.25.24 “Unlocking the Power of NENY Part 2”

Did you know that New York has five BILLION dollars to spend on building energy efficiency and electrification over the next five years? During this Teach-In, we took a deep dive into the New Efficiency New York (NENY) Proceeding, which will determine how this money will be spent on building energy efficiency and building electrification in NYS from 2026-2030.

Speakers:

• Juan Pablo Velez, founder and executive director of the think tank, Win Climate
• Rebekah Morris-Gonzalez, Director of Climate Initiatives, at the  Pratt Center for Community Development

View the speaker slides here. The Q&A doc can be found here.

Additional resources shared during the event:

• Win Climate report: “New Efficiency New York, an Appraisal of Past and Proposed Spending”

• Pratt Center’s report: “How NYSERDA’s Empower+ Program Shortchanges Low-Income Residents.”  

4.10.24 “Unlocking the Power of NENY”

During this Teach-In, we learned about the New Efficiency New York program and how you can tell the state how you think $5 billion of YOUR money will be spent on building energy efficiency and electrification. We then provided information about the upcoming proceeding and how to best prepare your comments.

Here is an audio recording of the Teach-In. Due to technical difficulties, we are unable to provide a video recording of the teach-in, unfortunately.

Speakers:

• Chris Coll, NY Department of Public Service: Christopher.Coll@dps.ny.gov
• Judith Karpova, Green Pathways Consulting: Greenpath@twc.com
• Lynda Nguyen, Kinetic Communities Consulting: Lynda@kc3.nyc
• Eric Walker, WE ACT for Environmental Justice: eric.walker@weact.org

View the speaker slides here. The Q&A doc can be found here.

3.21.23 “Breathing Easy: New York’s Clean Deliveries Act”

During this Teach-In, we learned about the Clean Deliveries Act, the environmental justice bill that will tackle a major source of pollution and alleviate the disproportionate harm corporations have imposed on our communities. We then heard from the ElectrifyNY coalition about how you can take action to make this crucial bill a reality this session.

Speakers:

• Emmitt Mendoza-Gaspar, Chief of Staff for AM Marcela Mitaynes
• Sam Becker of the Environmental Defense Fund
• Jaqi Cohen of the Tristate Transporation Campaign
• Antonio Rosario of the Teamsters

Learn more about this legislation and how to get it passed here

View the speaker slides here.

12.15.23 NY HEAT Act Teach In

The NY Home Energy Affordable Transition (HEAT) Act (S.2016A/A.4592A) is a transformative climate and energy affordability bill that clears the path to investing in clean, modern, electric heating systems for all New Yorkers.

During this Teach-In, we learned more about this legislation and what we can do to help get it passed this session.

Speakers:

• Chris Casey: Senior Attorney, Climate & Clean Energy Program for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

• Allison Considine: NY Senior Campaign & Communications Manager for the Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC)

• Jessica Azulay: Executive Director of Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE)

Learn more about this legislation and how to get it passed here

View the speaker slides here.

11.28.23 70 x ‘30 Where We Are and What it Will Take to Green New York’s Grid

NYCP’s November 2023 Teach-In featured the latest on efforts to decarbonize New York’s power sector with clean energy. Find out what recent developments may mean for our state’s goal of 70% renewable energy by 2030 and what you can do to make NY’s climate plan real.

Speakers:

• Anne Reynolds, Executive Director of Alliance for Clean Energy New York

•  Luke Falk, COO of Clean Path NY for energyRe

• Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment

We also heard from Dan Haas of Friends of Columbia Solar on how we can take action to support large-scale solar on the ground like Sheperd’s Run.

Use this tool to support the Sheperd’s Run project!

3.30.23 Clean Green Schools Opportunities for Engagement, Implementation, and Learning

This Teach-In explored the many ways to green our schools: from bringing hydroponic farming into our classrooms, to transitioning schools to all-electric heat pumps, to advocating for our schools to commit to net zero emissions, to state investments that make our schools healthier and more productive learning environments.

Speakers:

• Emma Hines, Senior Associate Carbon Free Buildings at RMI

• Diana Michaelson, Senior at Long Beach Polytechnic High School

• Hannah Morgan, Senior Project Manager on the Efficiency Planning and Engineering Team at NYSERDA

• Manuela Zamora, Executive Director of New York Sun Works

12.8.22 Activating Equitable Building Decarbonization in New York – Opportunities for Funding & Advocacy

For our last Teach-In of 2022, “Activating Equitable Building Decarbonization in New York – Opportunities for Funding & Advocacy” highlighted the ways you and your community can maximize the IRA’s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, utilize new IRA incentives and rebates, access the Climate Friendly Homes Fund, and advocate for necessary funding and policy changes in NY’s budget.

Speakers:

• Dale Bryk, Director of State & Regional Policies at Harvard Environmental & Energy Law Program and Senior Fellow at Regional Plan Association (RPA)

• Atalia Howe, VP of Initiatives and Impact Investing at The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC)

• Amar Shah, Manager of Building Electrification at Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)

• Jessica Azulay, Executive Director of Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE)

9.21.22 Climate Week NYC: The Recipe for Equitable, Climate-friendly Buildings

Buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New York State. Decarbonizing the building sector will be an essential element in tackling the climate crisis. With 6.2 million buildings across the state, New York can serve as a global example of how to accelerate this shift across a wide variety of buildings. As part of Climate Week NYC, our expert panel discusses the menu of solutions, policies, and current efforts for fully leveraging the environmental, equity, and economic opportunities presented by a carbon-free, resource-efficient building sector.

Speakers:

• Anne Reynolds, Executive Director of Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY)

• Rory Christian, Chair and CEO of the New York State Public Service Commission

• Dale Bryk, Director of State & Regional Policies at Harvard Environmental & Energy Law Program and Senior Fellow at Regional Plan Association (RPA)

• Sadie McKeown, President of the Community Preservation Corporation

• Greg Elcock, VP of Energy Efficiency and Distributed Resource Integration at Con Edison

• Bomee Jung, Co-CEO of Cadence OneFive

8.23.22 Clean Energy for Low- Moderate-Income Brooklyn Households

Learn about services, programs, incentives and financing to upgrade your 1-4 unit property to clean heating, cooling, domestic hot water and more efficient building envelopes.

8.18.22 Clean Energy for Low- Moderate-Income Bronx Households

Learn about services, programs, incentives and financing to upgrade your 1-4 unit property to clean heating, cooling, domestic hot water and more efficient building envelopes.

Speakers:

• Ryan Merkin: Director of Business Development, Blocpower

• Francis Rodriguez: Director Weatherization, Association of Energy Affordability

• Robert McCool: Barrio Solar

View the speakers’ slides here.

8.3.22 New York Climate Action Scoping Plan Webinar for Municipal Officials

Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA) and Renewable Heat Now and NYCP Policy Director Jen Metzger hosted this webinar on Aug. 3rd to talk about New York State’s draft Climate Scoping Plan, one of the most ambitious in the nation.

Our featured speaker, former New York State Senator Jen Metzger, also a former Rosendale Councilmember, highlighted how local governments can support the Plan to create thousands of jobs, clean our air and water, make our communities safer and more resilient, and help ensure environmental justice for all New Yorkers.

View Jen Metzger’s slides here.

6.29.22 Clean Energy Coaching Webinar

This webinar was a conversation with local clean energy coaches from NYCP and Bedford 2030. They discussed the free Clean Energy Coaching program and answered frequently asked questions about how both renters and home owners can save money, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and make their homes more comfortable.

Speakers:

• Tom Konrad, NYCP Clean Energy Coach

• Samrat Pathania, NYCP Clean Energy Coach

• Bob Fischman, Bedford 2030 Clean Energy Coach

Sign up with the links above to make a free appointment with a Personal Energy Coach. This is a free resource for community members, including tenants, residential and commercial building owners. Our Coaches will help you form a personalized plan to implement energy efficiency upgrades and transition off of fossil fuels.

6.27.22 Draft Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) Public Comment Period

Watch this Teach-in to learn about the Draft Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) criteria set by the Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG) and how to submit public comments.

The Climate Act charged the (CJWG) with the development of criteria to identify DACs to ensure that frontline and otherwise underserved communities benefit from the state’s historic transition to cleaner, greener sources of energy, reduced pollution and cleaner air, and economic opportunities.

A draft of the DAC criteria was released in late 2021 and is now open for public comments through Thursday, July 7th. It is important to weigh in on this aspect of the Scoping Plan to ensure no one gets left behind during New York’s transition to a clean energy economy.

Speakers:

• Sameer Ranade, Climate Justice Advisor, Climate Action Council of NYSERDA

• Jen Metzger, NYCP Senior Policy Advisor and former NY State Senator

• Sonal Jessel, Director of Policy, WE ACT for Environmental Justice

View the speaker slides here.

5.24.22 Driving Change in the Transportation Sector? NY’s Draft Scoping Plan, and How You Can Get Involved

Meeting the goals of New York’s ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act will require transformational change in every sector. Learn about the State’s proposed Climate Plan for the transportation sector on Tuesday, May 24th at noon.

Speakers:

  • Alok Disa, Senior Research and Policy Analyst with Earthjustice, leads the Northeast Regional Office’s transportation work. His work focuses on rapidly and equitably transitioning New York’s transportation system to zero-emissions in a way that prioritizes environmental justice, good jobs, and partnership.
  • Fabio Mantovani serves as Vice President of NYPA Ventures at the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and prior to his current role served as Vice President of e-Mobility. In addition to operating its generation and transmission assets, NYPA provides low-cost power and clean energy products and services to Commercial & Industrial customers, municipalities, electric cooperatives, and government agencies. In this role, Mantovani is responsible for four business areas within NYPA Ventures: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, Solar and Storage, Energy Insights and Analytics and Demand Flexibility (Virtual Power Plants).
  • Jen Metzger, NYCP Senior Policy Advisor and former NY State Senator who will talk about what’s in the plan, why it matters, recommendations specific to transportation and how you can turn those recommendations into written comment.
  • Juan Restrepo Juan Restrepo is the Senior Organizer for Transportation Alternatives, a grassroots transportation advocacy 501(c)(3) non-profit based in New York City. He manages their team of borough-based organizers, whose work supports a network of 100’s of passionate volunteers organizing to support sustainable, green transportation options and infrastructure around the city. Some of his organization’s most recent victories include the new Brooklyn Bridge bike path.

Speaker slides here.

5.6.22 New York’s Proposed Climate Plan and Why the Hudson Valley Needs to Weigh In

This Teach-In, sponsored by New Yorkers for Clean Power and Ulster Activists, is focused on what’s in the New York Climate Action Council’s Scoping Plan, why it matters to the Hudson Valley, and how you can participate in the public comment process happening now. Led by Jen Metzger, PhD, New Yorkers for Clean Power Senior Policy Advisor and former NYS State Senator.

Speaker slides here.

4.12.22 New York‘s Waste Problem – What the State’s Climate Plan Needs to Include

Watch this NYCP Teach-In about the climate impacts of New York’s waste and the recommendations of the Climate Action Council’s Draft Scoping Plan! The Teach-In features a discussion with environmental policy expert Judith Enck, President of Beyond Plastics and former EPA Regional Administrator under President Obama, and Jen Metzger, PhD, New Yorkers for Clean Power Senior Policy Advisor and former NYS State Senator. Hosted by NYCP Campaign Director Betta Broad.

Speaker slides here.

3.23.22 Getting Off Fossil Fuels in Buildings: Opportunities for Municipalities to Lead with Advanced Energy Codes

Watch this NYCP Teach-In to learn about how your local government can lead on a local energy code that ensures construction of healthy, emissions-free buildings in your community and receive up to $500,000. We’ll also learn about the recommendations of NYS Climate Action Council’s Draft Scoping Plan to reduce emissions from buildings, and how you can weigh in!

Teach-In Program:
– “A New $ Opportunity for Local Governments”, NYSERDA’s Stretch to Zero Pilot Program: Elizabeth Staubach, Senior Project Manager at New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

– “Leading by Example: The City of Ithaca’s Comprehensive Green Building Policy”, Luis Aguirre-Torres, Sustainability Director for the City of Ithaca

– “Reaching NY’s Ambitious Climate Goals: The NYS Draft Climate Plan’s Recommendations for Healthy, Zero-Emissions Buildings”, Jen Metzger, Senior Policy Advisor, at New Yorkers for Clean Power, former NYS State Senator

Speaker slides here.

4.6.22 Implementing New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

The NYS Climate Action Council has released, for public comment, a much-awaited draft plan to implement New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the most ambitious climate law in the country. In this presentation and Q&A, NYCP’s Senior Policy Advisor, Jen Metzger, gives an overview of the plan and issues and recommendations that are important for communities to know about and weigh in on. She also highlights actions that state and local governments need to begin taking now if New York is to reach its emissions targets.

Jen served in the State Senate in 2019-2020, where she was a leading voice for action to tackle climate change and move away from reliance on fossil fuels. She was an active member of the Senate’s workgroup on the CLCPA, passed in 2019, and she led efforts in the State Legislature to create a permanent ban on fracking, passed as part of the budget in 2020.

Speaker slides here.

12.01.21 Equitable Clean Transportation Projects in NYS

This NY for TCI teach-in features clean transportation projects across NYS – from greenways encouraging biking and walking to electric school buses and on-demand electric paratransit!

Speakers:

  • Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, Senior Clean Power Fellow at presenting the Brooklyn-Queens Greenway in NYC
  • Andy Willner, Executive Director of Center for Post Carbon Logistics presenting solar powered boats in the Hudson Valley
  • Mariah Okrongly, Program Manager at Bedford 2030 presenting about electric school buses
  • Doug Funke, President of Citizens for Regional Transit in Buffalo discussing their vision for expanding light rail and increasing funding for upstate public transit’s operational and maintenance resources
  • Brigitte Griswold, Executive Director of Groundwork Hudson Valley presenting
    the Yonkers Greenway
  • Eric Alexander, Director at Vision Long Island presenting on downtown traffic calming projects in Long Island
  • Jean Sassine, NYCC member from South East Queens presenting about bus accessibility in Queens

Speaker slides here.

10.20.21 Weatherization, Green Jobs & The Clean Energy Economy Teach-in

Celebrate Weatherization Day/Energy Awareness Month with us! Join a panel discussion about the important role of weatherization in green job creation and equitably shifting to a clean energy economy in NYS.

Speakers:

  • Samantha Pearce, VP of Sustainability, Homes & Community Renewal
  • Sameer Ranade, Climate Justice Advisor, Climate Action Council, NYSERDA
  • David Hepinstall, ED; Francis Rodriguez, Dir. of Weatherization, Association for Energy Affordability
  • Tomasine Oliphant, Director, Ulster County Office of Employment and Training
  • Joe McDole, Owner of J&S Painting & Construction, LLC

9.30.21 Green the Grid & Electrify Everything Teach-in

Join us to learn what New York needs to do in order to ensure our electric grid is powered by renewable sources and how we can decarbonize our buildings and transportation so they are running off of that renewable electricity!

Speakers:
NYCP Team

  • Betta Broad, Campaign Director
  • Gregory Simpson, Senior Clean Power Fellow
  • Cal Trumann, Climate Education Clean Power Fellow
  • Andrew Pezzullo, Large-scale Renewables Clean Power Fellow
  • Jen Metzger, Former State Senator and Senior Policy Advisor

If you are interested in having a version of this presentation given to a group in your area by an NYCP team member, please fill out this follow up form!

Speaker Slides Here

7.1.21 Green Affordable Housing Online Teach-in

Checkout our online teach-in reviewing successful green affordable housing around the state, helpful policy initiatives and how to scale up to meet NY’s climate goals!

Speakers:

  • Elizabeth McDade, Rochester Energy Efficiency & Weatherization (RENEW)
  • Guy Kempe, RUPCO
  • Jen Metzger, Former NYS State Senator & NYCP Policy Advisor
  • Jamal Lewis, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
  • Michael DiRamio, Assistant Director of Energy Affordability & Equity at NYSERDA
  • Zach Fink, ZBF Geothermal

Co-hosted by Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, Urban Strategist, and Betta Broad, Director of Advocacy & Organizing at Association for Energy Affordability/NYCP Campaign Director

You can take action for Green Affordable Housing by filling out our form here: http://tiny.cc/Act4AffordableGreenHouse

Speaker Slides Here

4.8.21 Legislation to Electrify NY’s Transportation

Learn about current legislation in New York that supports electric vehicle sales, charging infrastructure and greening public transportation. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and take action! Send a letter to your representative: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/sup…​ Connect with NYCP to meet with your legislator about clean transportation: https://forms.gle/2xpkWpwUBfHDpu9Q8​

Speakers:

  • Mo-Yain Tham, Policy and Research Associate at Jobs to Move America
  • Rachel Patterson, Legislative & Climate Associate at Environmental Advocates NY
  • Carine Dumit, Director of Market Development & Public Policy at EVgo
  • Albert Gore, Director of Public Policy & Business Development at Tesla

Speaker Slides Here

2.18.21 Improving NY’s Benefit Cost Analysis

Our state’s regulatory processes are not taking all the factors into account when deciding the cost benefit ratios of fossil fuel & renewable infrastructure! Learn what needs to be considered by industry experts. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and take action for a better BCA! Visit our take-action page to improve NY’s BCA: tinyurl.com/bcacomment

Speakers:

  • Sonal Jessel, the Director of Policy at WE ACT for Environmental Justice
  • Andy Frank, the Founder & President of Sealed and Strategic Advisory Group member to inform the Building Electrification Process for the Department of Public Service
  • John Ciovacco, the President of Aztech Geothermal and Strategic Advisory Group member to inform the Building Electrification Process for the DPS
  • Jessica Azulay, the Executive Director of Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) and active party member in numerous rate cases across NYS.

BCA Speaker Slides Here

1.28.21 NY Towns & Cities Transition Off Fossil Fuels (Buildings) & How to Pay For It

Learn about gas bans, Ithaca’s cutting edge energy codes and how towns & cities can decarbonize their existing buildings!

Speakers:
  • Amy Turner – Senior Fellow at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School
  • Nick Goldsmith – Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca
  • Mark Thielking – Director of Energy and Sustainability for the Town of Bedford.

Speaker Slides Here​​

11.12.20 New Rules for Renewables – Show Support

Learn from supporters and industry experts on the new regulations released by the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) and how you can participate as a supporter in the upcoming online & in-person stakeholder sessions.

Speakers:

  • Anne Reynolds, Executive Director of Alliance for Clean Energy New York
  • Giuseppina Agovino, Founding Member of Friends of Flint Mine Solar
  • Ryan Piche, Lewis County Town Manager
  • Jessica Enzmann, Organizing Representative at Sierra Club

Speaker Slides Here

10.6.20 ACE Town Hall Renewable Energy + Storage: A Match Made in NY?

This technical dialogue/town hall discusses how pairing solar and wind energy projects with energy storage can help New York meet its ambitious clean energy requirement for projects that pair wholesale renewable energy with energy storage. Our speakers discuss what the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has already done to facilitate renewables + storage projects, what wind and solar developers would like to further change regarding NYISO rules, and the thorny questions that remain about how to best balance the need for energy storage with efficient operation of the grid.

Speakers:

  • Dr. William Acker, Executive Director of NY-BEST
  • Dave Gahl , Senior Director of State Affairs, Northeast, SEIA
  • John Broadbeck, Senior Manager of Transmission, EDPR
  • Mike DeSocio, Senior Manager of Market Design at the NYISO
  • Pete Fuller, Principal of Autumn Lane Energy Consulting

Moderator: Anne Reynolds, Executive Director, ACE NY

Speaker Slides Here

9.25.20 Getting on Track with Transportation

Getting on Track with Transportation focuses on what New York State needs to fully electrify its transportation system, including lessons learned from California. This teach in focuses on those interested in the transition to electric cars, buses, and trucks; how to reinvest in transit and improve access for all; and how to best build out vehicle charging infrastructure. We will touch on the recently signed multi-state MOU and other initiatives to create jobs, climate justice, and cleaner air by electrifying transportation and enhancing mobility.

Welcome:

Anne Reynolds, Executive Director at Alliance For Clean Energy New York

Moderator:

Kaitlin Monaghan, Public Policy Manager at Rivian

Keynote presentation:

Patricia Monahan, Lead Commissioner on Transportation at California Energy Commission

Panelists:
  • Nick Sifuentes, Executive Director, Tri-State Transportation Campaign
  • Zeryai Hagos, Deputy Director, Office of Markets and Innovation, NYS Department of Public Service
  • Kerene Tayloe Director of Federal Legislative Affairs: WE ACT for Environmental Justice

Speaker Slides Here

8.20.20 Why do NYS Farmers & Bees Like Solar?

Solar developers and farmers join forces to implement ways to supply clean power to the NY electric grid. Speakers will discuss the benefits solar brings to NY farmers and wildlife, particularly our pollinators!

Speakers:

  • Jeremy Verratti: Verratti Farms, Hartland NY and USES Steering Committee
  • Rob Davis, Director, Center for Pollinators in Energy

8.13.20 Next Generation Thermal Infrastructure

Learn how we can meet our energy needs across NYS with clean heating and cooling technology! Speakers will discuss shared geothermal loop systems, thermal infrastructure ownership options and how we can finance getting to scale.

Sign up for Renewable Heat Now’s email list for notifications on how to take action for clean energy infrastructure! https://renewableheatnow.org/join/

Speakers:

  • Cullen Kasunic, BlocPower
  • Zeyneb Magavi & Audrey Schulman, HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team)
  • Stuart Yanow, Orca Energy
  • Owen Brady, National Grid

Speaker Slides

6.30.20 How Solar Can Benefit NY Communities?

Speakers will discuss the types of benefits available to New York communities that solar projects provide and how to submit a comment to the Public Service Commission on their proceeding about the Renewable Energy Facility Host Community Benefit Program!

Speakers:

  • Kevin Campbell, Development Manager – EDF-Renewables
  • Kate Millar, Manager, Renewable Development -Invenergy
  • Rikki Cason, Manager – Cypress Creek
  • David Alicea, NY Organizing Representative – Sierra Club
  • Dan Spitzer, Attorney – Hodgson Ross
  • Haylee Ferrington, USES Steering Committee – Moderator

6.25.20 Clean Energy Requires a New Grid: Building Renewables in New York

Reaching New York’s ambitious renewable energy mandates – and creating new green jobs through wind and solar power – will require significant upgrades to the transmission grid, so investing in the transmission grid is a climate action issue. Join us for an online discussion to hear from New York State officials, National Grid, renewable energy leaders, and local officials on the what, where, and why of the connections between green energy and new transmission investments, as well as the implications for land use in NYS.

This event is co-hosted by ACE NY, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

Welcome: Senator Kevin Parker, Chair of NYS Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

Keynote: Ali Zaidi, Deputy Secretary for Energy and Environment, Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo

Panelists:

  • Bart Franey, Director of Transmission Planning, Asset Management, Systems, and Data, National Grid
  • Rodica Donaldson, Senior Director, Commercial Transmission and Analytics, EDF Renewables North America
  • Ryan Piche, Lewis County Manager, New York

5.29.20 Green Jobs: Making a Living While Making a Difference

Positive Green Jobs examples in our surrounding communities. You’ll learn ways that you can achieve training and job success in this quickly growing field. This free virtual educational event is sponsored by Citizens for Local Power, New Yorkers for Clean Power, and Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.

Speakers:

  • Robert Wright, President/YouthBuild Executive Director at Nubian Directions
  • William Artist, Construction Manager at Nubian Directions
  • Christopher Boston, former Construction Manager at Nubian Directions
  • Cecil Corbin-Mark, Deputy Director and Director of Policy Initiatives at WE ACT for Environmental Justice
  • Bryanna DiFonzo, Director of New Economy at PUSH Buffalo
  • Rodney Rainey, Workforce Development Coordinator at PUSH Buffalo
  • Bill and Melinda McKnight, co-founders at Energy Conservation Specialists

5.28.20 Jobs in Solar & Community Benefits

Join United Solar Energy Supporters to hear from speakers on the available apprenticeships & job trainings in the solar industry and the community benefits that utility-scale solar bring.

Speakers:

  • Giuseppina Agovino, Friends of Flint Mine Solar
  • Harrison Watkins, NYS Laborers Organizing Fund
  • Mike Bader, IBEW Local 86
  • Haylee Ferington, Clean Energy Communities Genesee

5.18.20 Renewable Heat Now Teach-In on the NYS Gas Proceeding

Join Renewable Heat Now for a one hour online teach-in on the NYS Gas Proceeding. The Public Service Commission, the agency that regulates the utilities, has started a new case on gas planning (20-G-0131) to ensure utilities are transparent, equitable and consider New York State’s new climate law, Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, in their investments and service! The PSC is taking comments on this proceeding.

Speakers:

  • Jessica Azulay, Alliance for a Green Economy
  • Radina Valova, Pace Energy and Climate Center
  • Kim Fraczek, Sane Energy Project
  • Lee Ziesche, Sane Energy Project

5.12.20 The Role of Energy Storage

Learn the latest on energy storage technology and how we can use it to build our renewable energy future!

Speakers:

  • Tom Kacandes, Business Development Manager – NY & NE at VEIC
  • Erin Hazen, Senior Director of Development at Glidepath Power
  • Jeff Irish, Vice President of SunCommon
  • Candace Rossi, Project Manager for NY-Sun at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

5.1.20 The Green Stimulus & Indigenous Leadership with Rep Deb Haaland, Mark Ruffalo & Tokata Iron Eyes

Hear from Mark Ruffalo, Congresswoman Deb Haaland and indigenous activist Tokata Iron Eyes on the importance of a Green Jobs Stimulus and supporting native communities in response to COVID-19.

Federal spending should go towards the most vulnerable and frontline workers as well as prioritizing green jobs and making communities healthier by investing in renewable energy, energy efficient homes, and clean transportation.

And that’s what we call for in our Green Jobs Stimulus Petition.

Send a message to congress that we need to invest in a green economy!

Sign here: nyforcleanpower.org/greenjobsstimuluspetition/

4.29.20 Large-Scale Renewable Energy Permitting: What’s in it for communities?

Join New Yorkers for Clean Power and United Solar Energy Supporters to learn about the new siting law for large-scale renewable energy projects in New York: Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth & Community Benefit Act

Speakers:

  • Mike Bader, Business Manager at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for local 86
  • Harrison Watkins, Research Director at the NYS Laborers Organizing Fund
  • Daniel Spitzer, attorney and co-leader of Clean Energy Practice at Hodgson Russ LLP
  • Jennifer Manierre, Senior Project Manager for Clean Energy Siting at NYSERDA

3.31.20 Refrigerants 101

Learn the facts about refrigerants, how to safely manage, and the role they play in electrifying our buildings via heat pumps to get off fossil fuels!

Speakers:

  • Michaela Helme, New Yorkers for Cool Refrigerant Management
  • John Ciovacco, Aztech Geothermal
  • Kai Vormer, Aztech Geothermal
  • Christina Theodoridi, Climate & Clean Energy Program at NRDC

2.26.20 Youth Climate Movement

Young climate activists and advocates from across New York State speak about the work they do to #ActOnClimate and how you can take action!

Speakers:

  • Ilyas Khan, Western New York Youth Climate Council – Buffalo
  • Melissa Hoffman, Sunrise Movement – Vassar College
  • Berenice Tompkins, Sunrise Movement – NYC
  • Shenequa Perry, Student Climate Coalition – SUNY ESF
  • Hridesh Singh, New York Youth Climate Leaders – Rochester
  • Kellianne Ticcony, New York Youth Climate Leaders – Long Island

12.5.19 Clean Transportation in NY

Hear from knowledgeable speakers about practical transportation emission reduction targets and what strategies we’ll need to reach those targets. Learn how you as an individual or business owner can take action to be a part of the solution for a cleaner New York!

Speakers:

  • Allison Considine, NY Campaign Representative for the Sierra Club
  • Bruce Ho, Senior Advocate in Climate & Clean Energy Program at the NRDC
  • Victoria McGarril, Consultant for Sustainable Transportation Solutions at Energetics

10.30.19 Large-Scale Renewables (Updates!)

We need large-scale renewable projects to be built and to stay in New York if we want to meet our goal of 70% renewable electricity by 2030. Hear more from Anne Reynolds, Executive Director of Alliance for Clean Energy New York. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn how you can take action for renewable electricity!

Speakers:

Anne Reynolds, Alliance for Clean Energy New York

8.8.19 Transportation & Climate

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gases in New York State. Tune in to learn about the Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI): one of the many solutions needed to electrify New York’s transportation system and reduce our main source of emissions. Hear from knowledgeable speakers working on TCI at a national level, and reach out to nyforcleanpower@gmail.com if you want to help electrify transportation and make your community more sustainable.

Moderator: Betta Broad, New Yorkers for Clean Power (NYCP)

Speakers:

  • Allison Considine, Sierra Club
  • Uchenna Bright, Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC)
  • Stephan Edel, New York Working Families

7.22.19 HeatSmart Ulster Sullivan Campaign 101

Heat pumps 101 with Hugo Jule, a clean energy & EV expert consulting with the HeatSmart Ulster-Sullivan campaign.

6.24.19 Heat Pumps & Energy Efficiency

Learn what you can do to promote comprehensive utility energy efficiency & heat pump (not pipelines) programs! In partnership with Renewable Heat Now, New Yorkers for Clean Power is collecting comments on the joint utility filing for the utility energy efficiency programs. 

Speakers:

  • Bob Howarth, Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology at Cornell University
  • Valerie Strauss, Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs at Association for Energy Affordability
  • Jessica Azulay, Executive Director of Alliance for a Green Economy
  • Jens Ponikau, Owner of Buffalo Geothermal Heating & Vice President of New York Geothermal Energy Organization

3.8.19 Renewable Heat

Time to Get Pumped!  Renewable heat pumps are good for the planet & can save you money. Learn about renewable heat pumps in our homes and communities. Today’s heat pumps are more efficient and fossil-fuel free. Heat pumps extract heat from the air or ground to heat the air or water in your building. They can also work in reverse as air conditioners!

Speakers:

  • John Ciovacco, President of Aztech Geothermal
  • Zeyneb Magavi, District Heating Advocate with Mothers Out Front
  • Donovan Gordon, Director of Renewable Heating & Cooling at NYSERDA
  • Betta Broad, Director of NYCP and Co-founder of Renewable Heat Now!

2.21.19 Community Renewables

Support Renewable Energy & Save Money on Your Electricity Bill Each Month!  Tune in for information on New York’s community solar and hydroelectric projects, updates on the Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER), and the policies needed to move forward to improve solar energy in New York. Our speakers will be available to answer questions and provide information on what you can do to get involved in the renewable revolution!

Speakers:

  • Juan Parra, Solar One Community Solar Program Manager
  • Sarah Bower, Natural Power Group Co-Owner
  • Cal Trumann, SunCommon Solar Community Organizer
  • Emmett Smith, Northern Power Light Founder
  • Jessica Azulay, Alliance for a Green Economy Executive Director

1.17.19 Large Scale Renewables

What Will it Take to Achieve New York’s Renewable Energy Goals? Join us for an online teach-in with Anne Reynolds, the Executive Director of Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY) to find out how large-scale renewable energy is vital to ending our reliance on fossil fuels. Reynolds will speak to the challenges that wind and solar project developers face in our state and the next steps for New York’s renewable future.

7.9.18 Energy Efficiency Updates in NYS

Energy efficiency is the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to address climate change while also creating good local jobs, reducing other harmful pollution, and increasing the resiliency of our electric grid.

Speakers:

  • Valerie Strauss Director, Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Association for Energy Affordability
  • Conrad Metcalfe Executive Director, Building Performance Contractors Association
  • Stephan Roundtree, Jr., Esq. Environmental Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, WE ACT for Environmental Justice
  • Sneha Ayyagari Schneider Fellow, Eastern Region, Climate & Energy Program, NRDC
  • Betta Broad Outreach Director, New Yorkers for Clean Power

3.22.18 Energy Efficiency

As we ramp up efforts to push Governor Cuomo, NYSERDA and the Public Service Commission to adopt a comprehensive energy efficiency program that is as ambitious and equitable as possible, we invite clean energy advocates and climate activists from across the state to participate in this online teach-in.

Speakers:

  • Miles Farmer, Staff Attorney, Climate and Clean Energy Program, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
  • Clarke Gocker, Director of Policy and Strategy, People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH Buffalo)
  • Jessica Azulay, Program Director, Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE)
  • Cecil Corbin-Mark, Deputy Director and Director of Policy Initiatives, WE ACT for Environmental Justice (WE ACT)
  • Hal Smith, CEO, Halco Energy