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On November 12, 2015, the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (TCIDA) approved funding for two energy-related proposals from the Tompkins County Department of Planning. The proposals have strong support from Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD), who will collaborate on both projects.

The first proposal is for the Energy Focus Area Study. The study will identify energy infrastructure constraints and opportunities in keys areas of the County that are critical to a healthy economy. Initial focus areas will likely include the Ithaca-Tompkins Regional Airport, Downtown Ithaca and South Hill in the City and Town of Ithaca. Outcomes will include a comprehensive understanding of energy supply infrastructure and estimated future demand in these areas. The TCIDA approved $10,000 for the study to be matched by the Department of Planning.

TCAD President Michael Stamm said, "The Energy Focus Area Study is critical to ensure our community can meet the energy needs of job creating projects. Along with workforce training, energy supply, distribution and conservation has become a major challenge in Tompkins County."

The second proposal is for developing an IDA Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Incentive. The project will identify any financial gap that would need to be filled to allow projects to achieve higher levels of energy efficiency and emissions reductions such as the 70% reduction standard of the 2030 District initiative. The expected outcome will provide the information necessary to support development of an IDA incentive policy to encourage new economic development projects and major expansions or renovations to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The TCIDA approved $10,000 towards the project that will matched by the Department of Planning's Energy Fund.

"These two projects will help Tompkins County and TCAD advance our 2014 commitment to collaborate on energy and economic development issues by identifying ways that we can simultaneously provide for the energy needs of expanding businesses while advancing our greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals," said Ed Marx, Tompkins County Commissioner of Planning.

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