#GreeningTheGrid - November ESCO and Subscription Solar Update

 Note: To power your home with renewable energy, see the most recent Subscription Community Solar chart and FAQ: and 100% Renewable Electricity chart.

​By Gerri Wiley, HeatSmart volunteer and Energy Navigator​​

Happy November, Green Beings!

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,….”
--from the opening line of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities

CLIMATE CHEERS - Last week, Ithaca’s Common Council, voted to decarbonize its 6000 buildings!

CLIMATE JEERS – Greenidge Power Plant is seeking to expand its bitcoin mining operation.
and Adam Weitsman gears up to mine cryptocurrency in Owego.

​People ask: “What can I do? I’m just one person.” Believe me, you can help mitigate climate chaos in so many ways. You and I = WE and our actions ripple out far and wide!
​

• Call Governor Hochul at 518-474-8390 or if you prefer to write your comment requesting a halt/moratorium on all Proof-of-Work Cryptocurrency mining in the state so that our climate goals can be met.
• If you have not purchased solar panels, subscribe to a community solar farm. See the attached Subscription Solar information.
• Sign up for 100% renewable electricity ESCO. See the Renewable Energy ESCOs information.
• Get a free home energy assessment from HeatSmart
• See if your assessment indicates a need for increased weatherization and start with this step to reduce your energy load, reduce your costs, increase your comfort, and impact climate.
• Decarbonizing your home will make it safer, more comfortable, improve your indoor air quality, and reduce your energy use, so begin thinking about ground-source or air-source heating and cooling.
• If you are considering ground-source heating and cooling, learn your options for including hot water heating as part of this process.
• Begin researching quick and efficient induction cooktops and efficient electric clothes driers.
• Consider your transportation needs and begin researching electric or hybrid electric vehicle options.
• If your rooftop or yard is suitable for solar panels, you’ll now be aware of your whole home energy load and may be able to power most or all of it with ‘your own solar power plant.’ Call ETM Solar: 607-785-6499 or Renovus Solar: 607-277-1777 for quotes.
• Help to eliminate landfill methane by composting your food scraps: ​

I’m happy to connect you with various resources you need along the way. ​