Join ANCA and the Mohawk Valley Clean Energy Team for this year’s Clean Energy Conference in downtown Utica, New York.

Together, we’ll dig into the unique challenges and opportunities our small and rural communities face as new state and federal policies roll out across New York. Over the course of 1.5 days, we’ll learn from clean energy stakeholders and community leaders about local impacts of new legislation and programs and discuss ways we can work together to advance New York’s clean energy transition while preserving our region’s values and character:

Thursday, June 1, 2023 

1:00-3:00 p.m. — Tour of Brookfield Renewable’s Trenton Falls hydropower facility

3:00-5:00 p.m. — Open House at NYPA’s Energy Zone visitor center

5:00-8:00 p.m. — Reception at the Irish Cultural Center
Reception welcome by Mark Luciano, Brookfield Renewable U.S.

5:00-8:00 p.m. — Networking in the Exhibition Hall

Friday, June 2, 2023 

7:30-8:30 a.m. — Registration, networking, hot breakfast

8:30-8:45 a.m. — Opening Remarks
Steve Smith, Mohawk Valley Clean Energy Team; Elizabeth Cooper and Jill Henck, ANCA

8:45-9:00 a.m. — Welcome Address
Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer (Wolf Clan), Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke

9:00-9:15 a.m. — Fireside Chat
Serge Abergel, Hydro-Québec; Basil Seggos, NY Department of Environmental Conservation; Jill Henck, ANCA

9:15-10:00 a.m. — Community Sparks: success stories from communities across the region
Omay Elphick, Gravity Renewables; Amanda Kaier, Mohawk Valley Clean Energy Team;
Josh Pierce, Pierce Family Farm; Joe Dickson, Ducted Wind Turbines 

10:00-11:00 a.m. — Breakout Sessions

  • Engaging the Workforce
    Dr. Ben Ballard, SUNY Morrisville
  • The Cap & Invest Program, Climate Act & Disadvantaged Communities Criteria Updates
    Sameer Ranade, NYSERDA
  • Fleet Electrification
    Eleanor Peck, Hudson Valley Regional Council, Adam Ruder, NYSERDA;
    Jennifer Wallace-Brodeur, Vermont Energy Improvement Corporation (VEIC )
  • Clean Energy Mentorship Discussion & Networking
    Dr. Curt Gervich, SUNY Plattsburgh; Jill Henck, ANCA

11:00-11:15 a.m. — Networking & Exhibition Hall

11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. — Breakout Sessions

  • The Passage & Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act & You
    Dr. Stephen Bird, Clarkson University
  • Grant Writing 101
    Jennifer Perry, ANCA
  • Will We Have Enough Clean Energy Workers?
    Richard Lawrence, Interstate Renewable Energy Council
  • Partnering With Marginalized Communities Roundtable
    Erin Griffin, ANCA

12:15-1:30 p.m. — Lunch & Networking

1:30-3:00 p.m. — Plenary: Maximizing Community Benefits from the Clean Energy Transition
Omay Elphick, Gravity Renewables; Linda Garrett, American Farmland Trust.;
Marie Schnitzer, National Grid; Kathy Spencer, LaBella Associatates; Brad Tito, PowerMarket

3:00-3:15 p.m. — Networking & Exhibition Hall

3:15-4:15 p.m. — Breakout Sessions

  • Community Campaigns: the Next Generation
    Tara Donadio, Capital District Regional Planning Commission; Jeremy Koo, Cadmus Group;
    Lisa Marshall, New Yorkers for Clean Power
  • Large-scale Renewables: Strategies to Consider Community Interests
    Amy Wyant, Otsego County Conservation Association
  • So You Thought You Knew Everything About Energy Audits
    Eamonn LaDue and Matt Plouffe, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County;
    Nolan Rishe, Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County
  • Build Public Renewables Act & Localizing Renewables
    Emmett Smith, Northern Power & Light

4:15-4:30 p.m. — Raffle & Conference Wrap-up


Conference agenda items and presenters are subject to change. Download a PDF version of the agenda here.