Energy

Overview

The rapid development and evolving nature of wind, solar, and battery storage technologies have led to ongoing, site-specific discussions regarding renewable energy. These conversations, which are continually revisited within individual communities, can be challenging for local residents, particularly when it comes to ensuring they have a voice in the decision-making process for new land use projects. In addition to renewables siting, communities, particularly the most rural communities, expressed concerns about the unreliability of the local electrical grid and frequent power outages. In general, there is support for renewables and electrification, but there is a need for greater outreach and education, as well as more financial support and incentives to make these transitions more palatable and implementable.

Check out the full report to read more about the efforts specific organizations in the North Country are undertaking to tackle these issues and the solutions proposed by listening session participants.

Jim Ammon of ADKSolar speaks to youth of the North Country Climate Club about the Town of Franklin municipal solar array.

Renewable Energy Growth & Siting

The location of renewable energy sites is important socially and environmentally. The social impact of a new renewable energy project on the surrounding residents and infrastructure must be considered alongside the impact from the construction of these sites on the overall ecosystem. Dr. Michale Glennon presented at the Adirondack North Country Association’s 2025 “Clean Energy + Small Communities. Big Opportunities” Conference and shared a list of best management practices (BMPs) for siting renewables in a way that takes wildlife and ecosystems into account. Dr. Glennon developed these BMPs in the course of conducting research to inform a solar development proposal in the Adirondack Park.

Best Practices for Siting and Design:

Avoid sensitive areas and avoid clearing forest/removing trees
Prioritize disturbed or degraded lands
Consult local and regional expertise, as well as relevant agencies
Incorporate wildlife movement and connectivity and utilize wildlife fencing

Best Practices for Construction:

Avoid sensitive time periods for wildlife (ex. breeding season)
Use minimally impactful construction methods
Promptly remediate soil and site impacts and minimize exposed trenches
Implement measures to avoid introducing invasive species

Best Practices for Operation and Maintenance:

Develop and implement vegetation management plan
Practice conservation mowing -- low frequency, low intensity
Minimize pesticide use and mechanical maintenance
Implement monitoring and create a decommissioning plan

HamilSun community solar farm in Peru, NY (Photo credit: Marque Moffett).

Energy Transition Financing

Participants consistently raised concerns about the affordability and accessibility of New York’s clean energy transition. There is a strong need for NYS to ensure that renewable energy solutions are not only environmentally sound, but also financially viable for everyday residents. Stakeholders emphasized that the transition must support older homes, rural communities, and focus even more on making costs comparable to, or lower than, current energy bills, with support such as no- to low-interest loans, meaningful incentives, and accessible financing options. This type of programming does exist in the state, but people wanted to see more of it. Participants pointed to international models for renewable infrastructure development as examples of how policy and pricing structures might drive meaningful change.

Home Energy Use

Home heating in the North Country also looks different from the rest of the state. Most residents do not have access to municipal natural gas, so they rely on alternatives like fuel oil, propane, electricity, or, commonly, wood. Under the NYS Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), most new homes must be built to be fully electric starting in 2026 (wood heat is not restricted). The state is also working to upgrade existing homes to be more energy-efficient through a combination of rules and financial incentives.

Electric Vehicles

Business sectors involved with hauling had concerns about fleet electrification legislation, feeling that the cost of upgrading a fleet is too high and EV charging infrastructure was not yet in place to support this transition. EV charging stations for are becoming more accessible, for example, The Saranac Lake Village Climate Smart Communities Task Force helped pave the way for the latest state grant of $482,164 in April 2025 for 30 municipal electric vehicle chargers, by encouraging the Village Board to make greenhouse gas reductions a priority and take pride in the village’s leadership on climate action.

"Saranac Lake to add 30 electric vehicle charging ports," Adirondack Explorer, Apr 24, 2025 (News photo: Mike Lynch)

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