LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 17 Located in Franklin County, the Owls Head Moun- tain View Community Center (OHMVCC) was working to stay afloat as their 55-year-old electric baseboard heating system became increasingly inefficient and expensive to operate. The community center's presi- dent, Earl Livernois, shared, "[o]ur greatest challenge as a not-for-profit organization is to ensure that we have the financial resources available to cover operat- ing costs." With electric bills reaching up to $1,000 per month, the community center desperately needed a new solution for their building's heating needs. More than a building OHMVCC is a lifeline for its community — an Amer- ican Red Cross emergency shelter and a welcoming space where both youth and seniors can learn, con- nect, and feel supported. In this remote region, where only a few hundred people live and more than a third of residents are between 65 and 85, having a central place to gather isn't just helpful, it's vital. They offer a space where neighbors can share meals, build friend- ships, and access essential services. ANCA's Climate & Energy team was grateful for the chance to support this project, providing funding for the community center's upgraded heating system through the North Country Clean Energy Hub — a NYSERDA funded grant that ANCA administers. With that support, a local contractor installed cold-climate air-source heat pumps totalling to a cost of $39,975, which is already proving its worth. As anyone in the North Country knows, this winter was a tough one. The community center put their new system to work right away, keeping their space warm while saving both energy and money for the people they serve. The road to secure this funding is not always straightforward. Given that OHMVCC is almost entire- ly led by volunteers, their motivation to carry out this process was no small feat. Through their resilience and the trust that we built together, this effort has grown into a genuine success story. It's these types of com- munity connections that we deeply value and hope to uplift at the ANCA 2026 Climate & Energy Conference. Our team has worked hard to plan an event that cre- ates space for more stories like this. The evolution of the ANCA Climate and Energy Confer- ence The conference was originally launched in Lake Placid in 2012 by former board member Dan Mason. The torch was passed to Amanda Lavinge, who made a lasting impact through her commitment to the value of community support. Then, after a pandemic-related pause, Jill Henck, ANCA's current Climate & Energy Director, resurrected the event in 2023. Over the years, we've listened to experts share how solar and storage have become lifelines — keeping neighborhoods safe during emergencies and easing the health burdens created by fossil fuel infrastruc- ture. Educators have spoken candidly about the grow- ing shortage of skilled tradespeople and the urgency of building workforce pathways that are accessible to everyone. Business leaders have reflected on the delicate balance between staying true to personal and community values while ensuring long-term financial stability. And through interactive workshops, partic- ipants have explored mindfulness as a powerful tool for creating spaces where people feel seen, wel- comed, and supported. Together, these stories remind us that the clean-energy transition isn't just technical — it's deeply human. Fourteen years later, we are thrilled to return to Lake Placid and create a space for collaborative learning, challenging conversations, and more than a little bit of fun. This year's theme, Grassroots to Grid: Bridging Innovation and Community Values, reflects our commitment to connecting local values to innovative Spark Talks sessions bring together experts in their fields in a panel format.

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