Our Adult Energy Literacy Program provides educational programing to our neighbors to enable them to make positive energy choices for their families and community.
Adult Energy Literacy
According to the Department of Energy, low-income households in New York State spend 8%-10% of their budget on energy - three times higher than middle- or high-income families.
Our Energy Education and Weatherization Workshops help alleviate some of this burden by teaching low-income homeowners and renters simple and no-cost ways they can conserve energy and lower utility bills - without compromising comfort or safety.
Free weatherization kits are distributed to participants at the end of the workshop.
Food insecurity – a lack of access to healthy food – is a daily challenge for many people living in EJ communities. Building on the expertise gained from our Green Classroom initiative, we work with community partners to fund indoor community hydroponic gardening systems.
Hydroponic farming technology makes it possible to increase the availability and affordability of fresh fruits and vegetables year-round. Organic produce is grown using energy efficient LED lighting technology in a controlled environment that uses far less energy, water, and land than conventional farming.
In addition to infrastructure funding, we also provide weatherization workshops to community organizations that host an indoor food production system sponsored by NYPA.
For neighborhood organizations without space or a structure for an indoor hydroponic garden, NYPA has provided funding and expertise to install a sustainable alternative – container gardens. Old shipping containers are recycled and retrofitted to house organic food production systems that provide healthy fruits and vegetables to the surrounding community year-round.
