By Nicole Draina, ANCA Clean Energy Communications CoordinatorÂ
On April 30, 2025, an electric school bus (ESB) stopped in front of the Lake Placid Olympic Center and opened its doors to community leaders, farmers, small business owners, and stakeholders who are strengthening the region’s clean energy and small business future. As the group boarded and the door closed, it signaled the start of ANCA’s 2025 inaugural joint conference: Clean Energy + Small Communities. Big Opportunities.
The ESB, filled to capacity with adults, began navigating the hairpin roads of the North Country. Brookfield Renewables Franklin Falls Hydroelectric Dam would be the first stop on the half day of tours. We began to make our ascent up Whiteface Memorial Highway, with a view of Mackenzie Mountain Wilderness to the southwest.
There were some nervous faces on the passengers for this steep incline, reflecting the rumors we so often hear about ESB’s…
