Smart Energy Choices: Regional Clean Energy Hub for the Southern Tier

Smart Energy Choices is a collaboration of Cornell Cooperative Extension offices of Broome, Chemung, Delaware, Schuyler, Tioga and Tompkins counties, and serves as the NYSERDA Regional Clean Energy Hub for the Southern Tier region. Our team brings over a decade of experience in energy work, including with the Community Energy Engagement Program, Ag Energy NY, and Clean Energy Communities.

As your Hub, we’re here to help you be more comfortable in your home and save money on your energy bills. We serve all residents, small businesses, affordable property and nonprofits in the Southern Tier region, with a focus on underserved or otherwise limited opportunity communities.

When you contact us, you’ll be connected to one of our trained Community Energy Advisors, who can share resources on energy efficiency, clean heating and cooling, solar power, and more.

Here are some of the free services we offer:

• Explain programs that can help with heating bills, drafty homes, heating systems, and solar and other clean energy
• Help learn about jobs and job training in clean energy
• Explain a home energy assessment and how it helps people
• Help someone fill out an application for energy assistance programs
• Explain the energy incentives available to a person or business
• Direct income-eligible residents to home repair programs
• Help learn how to make a home ready for energy improvements
• Explain electric vehicles, charging stations, and vehicle rebates
• Help find a contractor to make clean energy upgrades
• Find a community solar program and help residents and businesses sign up for it

To get in touch and learn how the Smart Energy Choices program can help you reduce your energy use, save money, and improve the comfort of your home or commercial building, you can find your region's Clean Energy Hub staff information at the bottom of this page.

There are also CCE-partnered Clean Energy Hubs in these regions: 

• Capital District: Serving Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, and Washington counties
• Long Island: Serving Nassau and Suffolk counties.
• Mid-Hudson: Serving Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties.
• Mohawk Valley: Serving Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, and Schoharie counties

• Southern Tier: Serving Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins counties.

However, if you reside outside these these regions, there are still Clean Energy Hubs for every region of New York State, operated by other community-based organizations. Find yours here. 

As the summer months of 2025 are wrapping up and weather is becoming colder.  Remember to call your local hub to assist you with weatherization.  

Last updated September 18, 2025