Cornell Cooperative Extension

Tompkins County
solar panels

Find renewable energy information here on our site.

firewood
Image by Sandy Repp

Learn about buying, storing and safely burning firewood.

solar panels in foreground, wind turbines in middle ground, and the electric grid in the background
Image by AishaAbdel

Solar and wind energy are an important part of the grid of the future.

Energy

In this section of our website, CCE-Tompkins offers resources that can help you learn about ways in which you can reduce energy consumption and use energy resources more efficiently.

I've tried uploading this image to this rickety website 7 times now. The quality is literally one-hundredth of what it should be. Who even cares what it looks like?

Energy Warriors

Energy Warriors provides training for people experiencing barriers to employment to enter the growing green job sector.

Read more
couple with baby in kitchen of home

Smart Energy Choices

Our trained Energy Advisors can suggest ways to save energy and money, and connect you to resources, financial incentives, and local contractors. Call today!

Read more
Air-source heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling super-efficiently to your building occupants.

Heat Pumps

Find information here on how heat pumps work, what types are available, their main components, and more.

Read more
solar panels

Going Solar!

Find research based information on solar power that may help you to decide whether solar is right for you and your home, including links to available rebates and incentives.

Read more
Free or reduced Home Energy Assessments for most New Yorkers!

Lansing Non-Pipes Alternatives

Lansing residents may qualify for additional incentives associated with upgrading to electric in their homes. Learn more about the Non-Pipes Alternatives Program!

Read more
Flag of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Native American nations; purple background with white symbols

Land Acknowledgment

We join Cornell University in acknowledging that our Ithaca site is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' also known as the Cayuga Nation.

Read more

Contact

Chris Skawski
Energy & Climate Change Team Leader
cjs359@cornell.edu
607-272-2292 ext. 293

Last updated January 27, 2025

Energy

2025 Advisory Committee

Environmental Issues Program
* = representative to the Board

Kimberly Anderson
Emily Belle
Karyn Bischoff
Rebecca Evans
Karin Harjes*
Tom Hirasuna
David Kay
Ann Stork
Geri Tierney

Electricity Usage Monitors

The Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension, has announced the circulation of "Kill A Watt" electricity usage monitors. These easy-to-use devices are designed to help consumers monitor energy costs for home electronics and appliances. "Kill A Watt" devices help users determine electricity expenses by the day, week, month or year and serve as valuable tools for reducing electricity costs. TCPL has three devices that may be borrowed, with a valid library card, for three weeks.

Contact TCPL to learn more at 607-272-4556 or email askalibrarian@tcpl.org.

Learn more about the energy monitors and more available in the Library of Things.

Don't Move Firewood: You Could Be Killing Our Trees!

firewood

Firewood Transport Rules were revised August 2012 to improve regulatory compliance and enforcement. The existence of this regulation helps prevent firewood infested with invasive insects such as emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle from being transported throughout the state, destroying trees from one place to another.

Events

See more