Long Island Residents Save on Energy Bills with CCE's Help

Cornell Cooperative Extension program provides subsidies and advice to reduce energy use and costs

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Long Island Regional Clean Energy Hub, run by Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Nassau County, is helping Long Island residents and businesses reduce their energy use, transition to clean energy sources, and lower their heating and electric bills. The program provides one-on-one advising and up to $40,000 in subsidies for weatherization, heat pumps, solar, and more. In 2025, the hub facilitated $785,000 in clean energy subsidies for residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaways.

Why it matters

The program is part of New York state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, one of the nation's most aggressive climate laws, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase renewable energy. By helping residents lower their energy costs and transition to clean energy, the program supports the state's climate goals while also providing financial relief to Long Island households.

The details

Suzette Foote, a single mother in North Woodmere, Long Island, sought help from the Clean Energy Hub after her poorly insulated home led to high energy bills and health issues for her daughter. With the hub's assistance, Foote received over $20,000 in subsidies to insulate her attic, weatherize her house, and install central air conditioning and two air source heat pumps. This has allowed her to keep her home comfortable year-round while significantly reducing her monthly utility bills.

  • In July 2025, Suzette Foote reached out to the Long Island Regional Clean Energy Hub for assistance.
  • Three months after contacting the hub, Foote had discounts totaling $115 off her monthly utility bills and received over $20,000 in subsidies for home improvements.

The players

Long Island Regional Clean Energy Hub

A program run by Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Nassau County that helps Long Island residents and businesses reduce energy use, transition to clean energy, and lower heating and electric bills.

Suzette Foote

A single mother who lives in North Woodmere, Long Island and sought help from the Clean Energy Hub to address her poorly insulated home and high energy costs.

Shannon Fabiani

An energy adviser with the Long Island Regional Clean Energy Hub who worked with Suzette Foote.

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What they’re saying

“I was losing heat, and the cold air was coming in from the attic.”

— Suzette Foote (Mirage News)

“Very high - too high.”

— Suzette Foote (Mirage News)

“There are a lot of options for how someone can improve their energy use. A lot of the time, they don't know where to start, so we're there to help them.”

— Shannon Fabiani, energy adviser (Mirage News)

“Now I leave the thermostat at 67 and the house is still warm.”

— Suzette Foote (Mirage News)

“With the heat, her heart would race away.”

— Suzette Foote (Mirage News)

What’s next

The Long Island Regional Clean Energy Hub plans to continue providing subsidies and assistance to help more Long Island residents and businesses reduce their energy use and costs.

The takeaway

The Long Island Regional Clean Energy Hub's program demonstrates how targeted subsidies and personalized guidance can help households, especially those with limited means, improve the energy efficiency of their homes and transition to clean energy sources, leading to significant cost savings and improved quality of life.