Long Island Mom Saves $115 Monthly on Energy Bills

Suzette Foote cranked her thermostat between 80 and 90 degrees last winter, and her Long Island home still felt cold. Air leaked through her attic, energy bills skyrocketed, and the single mother of 18 years didn't know where to turn.

Then she discovered the Long Island Regional Clean Energy Hub, a free program run by Cornell Cooperative Extension that helps residents slash energy bills while fighting climate change. Three months after reaching out, Foote had received over $20,000 in subsidies for attic insulation, weatherization, central air conditioning, and two heat pumps.

Now she keeps her thermostat at 67 degrees and her house stays warm. Her monthly utility bills dropped by $115, money that makes a real difference for her family.

The improvements solved another critical problem too. Before the upgrades, summer heat in Foote's house triggered her 16-year-old daughter's chronic heart condition, causing her heart to race dangerously fast. Now the central air keeps temperatures safe and comfortable year-round.

"It's the best thing on earth," Foote said.

The Long Island hub is one of 12 regional clean energy hubs across New York State, created through the state's ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The 2019 law targets a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and mandates that 40% of benefits reach disadvantaged communities.

Energy advisers like Shannon Fabiani guide residents through every step, from understanding their energy use to accessing subsidies up to $40,000 for weatherization, heat pumps, solar panels, and more. In 2025 alone, the hub helped residents access $785,000 in clean energy subsidies across Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaways.

The program focuses on families who need help most. While state law requires 35% of funding reach lower-income residents, the Long Island hub far exceeds that goal by targeting all 92 disadvantaged census tracts on the island.

Staff attended over 400 outreach events in 2025, meeting people at libraries, food pantries, and community centers. They run workshops teaching simple actions to cut energy costs immediately, and participants leave with free DIY kits worth $45 containing LED lightbulbs and weather stripping.

The hub also employs community navigators, trusted residents who spread the word in their own neighborhoods. "They're excellent ambassadors because they already have those relationships within the communities," said Mike Fiorentino, natural resource program team leader at Cornell Cooperative Extension Nassau.

The program served 638 Long Island residents in 2025, helping families like Foote's breathe easier in homes that are finally comfortable, affordable, and healthy.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond individual families, these clean energy upgrades create lasting change across Long Island communities. Every home weatherized reduces strain on the power grid during peak demand, making energy more reliable for everyone. The program also created a comprehensive directory of technical training programs, opening pathways to clean energy careers for Long Island workers.

When disadvantaged communities get 40% of program benefits, the impact compounds. Lower energy bills free up money for groceries, healthcare, and education while reducing the pollution that disproportionately affects these neighborhoods.

For Foote, the transformation extends beyond dollars saved. Her daughter can safely stay home in summer heat, and winter no longer means choosing between freezing or facing crushing bills.