Webinar 1: State Panel on Promising Solutions for a Clean Energy Future

Tuesday, June 2nd | 1 – 2:15 PM

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Confirmed Speakers:

Serena McIlwain | Undersecretary for Environmental Protection | CalEPA

Chair David Hochschild |California Energy Commission

Commissioner Andrew McAllister | California Energy Commission

Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen | California Public Utilities Commission

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Webinar 3: Maintaining Local Momentum towards Climate Goals: Reach Code Collaboration

Thursday, June 18th | 10 – 11 AM

2019 was a watershed year for California’s local jurisdictions taking action on achieving strategic climate action and greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals. More than 25 jurisdictions developed and adopted local energy ordinances. In January 2020, the Energy Commission approved its 100th reach ordinance, noting the milestone by observing “… generally we are heading, as a state per the Executive Order, towards carbon neutrality by 2045. And we need local partners to get there.” Since January, 16 more reach code packages have been approved.

Statewide, regional and local organizations offer tremendous potential for maintaining this momentum through collaborative partnerships in sharing resources, best practices for outreach, stakeholder engagement and consensus building, model language and cost analyses assets, and more.

This webinar gathers experts from local jurisdictions, statewide programs and Energy Commission staff to explore some of the most effective ways to collaborate as well as understand the needs attendees present from their own jurisdictions. The two panelists from the cities of Palo Alto and Chula Vista will be able to share actual and valuable lessons learned from their own experiences. Each of these cities is at a different point on the reach code development timeline and have quite different local variables; the insights they offer will be extremely valuable to participants from all regions of the state.

The session will begin with a short series of introductory comments from each panelist (approximately 5 minutes/panelist), followed by an open discussion using the Zoom chat capability to propose questions and managed by the session moderator. Panelists will use slides for presenting resources, posting prompt questions or sharing dense information sets. For instance, city representatives may share specific reach code resources their teams have used successfully, while the Energy Commission representative and the Statewide Reach Codes team may provide insight into specific statewide resources available at no cost.

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Confirmed Speakers:

Moderator: Chris Kuch, PE | Codes and Standards Engineer – Title 24 & Reach Codes | Customer Products & Services – Energy Codes & Standards | Southern California Edison

Mr. Kuch has worked in various aspects of building engineering science for 10+ years. He currently works with Southern California Edison and the Energy Codes and Standards Team on development and advocacy of Title 24 Part 6 building energy efficiency code and supporting local jurisdictions in Local Energy Ordinance adoption.

Evon Ballash| Assistant Building Official – Development Services | City of Palo Alto

Evon’s background is in Structural Engineering and she has been with the City of Palo Alto since 2008. In addition to managing the Building Division staff, she is a member of the City’s Sustainability Implementation Plan (SIP) leadership group that creates the road map and work plan for Palo Alto’s Sustainability Climate Plan (S/CAP) that was adopted in 2016. The S/CAP goals are to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by 80% from the 1990 levels by the years 2030. 20 years ahead of the state goals of 80% by 2050. The key concerns of the SIP are Cox Emissions and Water and focus on Seven Key Areas of activity: Mobility, Water, Electric Vehicles, Energy, Sea Level Rise, Natural Environment and Zero Waste. Evon was been actively involved in the development of Palo Alto’s Energy Reach Code and Green Building Reach Code that adopted Tier 1 and Tier 2 voluntary measures as mandatory. Palo Alto has had a history of adopting an Energy Reach Code and a Green Building Code since 2008, before the first CALGreen code in 2010.

Danuta Drozdowicz | Energy Specialist – Efficiency Division | California Energy Commission

Danuta’s background is in energy efficient construction and building science. Before joining the CEC, she worked as a LEED and green building consultant, first with a Portland, Maine based company, Fore Solutions, and then with her own firm, Context Green. Previous to that she worked for the state of Maine, focusing on energy efficient construction, indoor and outdoor air quality, and clean fuel vehicle testing and demonstration projects. Drozdowicz is a LEED and a WELL Accredited Professional. She has a bachelor’s degree in history and art from the University of Southern Maine.

Cory Downs | Conservation Specialist – Economic Development Department, Office of Sustainability | City of Chula Vista

Cory Downs is a Conservation Specialist with the City of Chula Vista and manages their residential energy & water efficiency outreach. He also assists with Climate Acton Planning efforts including compiling the GHG inventories and CAP updates. Before working with the City full time he was an Environmental Scientist with AECOM and Climate Fellow with ICLEI.

Misti Bruceri | Principal | Misti Bruceri and Associates, LLC

Misti has worked in the energy efficiency field for more than 20 years. As principal of Misti Bruceri and Associates, LLC, established in 2007, she provides technical consulting services to private firms, non-profit organizations, and utilities. She is technical lead for the Statewide Reach Codes Program.

Webinar 4: Community & Climate Engagement During COVID-19: What to do when in person isn’t possible

Tuesday, June 30th | 1 – 2:30 PM

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Q&A BOX

Confirmed Speakers:

Moderator: Nicole Enright | Associate Program Manager | Institute for Local Government

Nicole is an associate program manager at ILG, dedicated to identifying and scaling-up local solutions to meet the challenges of climate and sustainability through targeted-on-the-ground technical assistance, expanding partnerships and peer learning. Previously, Nicole served as a Program Officer at the Institute for Sustainable Communities and a Sustainability Aide for the City of Flagstaff’s Sustainability Program where she developed and implemented clean energy, community resilience and sustainability programming.

Nicole holds a Masters in Environmental Policy and Management and a Graduate Certificate in Energy and Sustainability from the University of Denver and a Bachelors in Environmental Studies from Northern Arizona University.

Dr. Larry Schooler | Director of Consensus Building and Community Engagement | CD&P

Dr. Larry Schooler is Director of Consensus Building and Community Engagement at the consulting firm CD&P; a senior fellow at the National Civic League and the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at the University of Texas; and the father of two, and husband of one. He specializes in the mediation and facilitation of complex conversations involving public issues, particularly in cities. He spent ten years establishing a public engagement and consensus building division at the City of Austin and has worked with a wide array of other cities across the country. He has authored a manual for facilitating public meetings and has a book on public engagement coming out next year. He is also a past NLCU speaker, a jazz pianist, and a marathoner.

Hanna Stelmakhovych | Program Coordinator | Institute for Local Government

Hanna Stelmakhovych is a public engagement professional with a passion for facilitating partnerships, designing systems and processes, and assisting vulnerable communities. In her time with the Institute for Local Government, Hanna has cultivated a network of more than 200 public engagement professionals which helped facilitate peer-to-peer learning in support of local governments.

Prior to joining the Institute in 2016, Hanna served two AmeriCorps terms at the American Red Cross where she engaged local communities in disaster preparedness and emergency planning.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from California State University Sacramento where she also graduated Summa Cum Laude with an undergraduate degree in Government. Hanna serves on various boards and committees and volunteers with the Red Cross as a member of the Disaster Action Team.

Hanna moved to the United States eleven years ago from Ukraine and became a citizen in 2012. Hanna is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian and English.

Grace Person | Community Design Project Manager | Local Government Commission

Grace Person is a Project Manager with LGC’s Community Design Team. Grace has worked with federal, state, and local government agencies and nonprofits to bring stakeholders to the table for discussions and input on a variety of public policy and planning issues. Grace’s experience includes public engagement process design, small and large group facilitation, and stakeholder outreach. At LGC she currently works on active transportation planning projects and provides technical assistance to help groups bring shared clean mobility projects to their community. Grace has a Masters in Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School in Vermont and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology from Colorado College in Colorado.

Angel Hernandez | Associate Planner | City of El Centro

Angel Hernandez, AICP, is an Associate Planner for the City of El Centro where he works on current and forward planning projects. Angel has seven years of planning experience working in majority-minority communities in Imperial Valley, California. Currently, he is the project manager for El Centro 2040 General Plan Update. El Centro 2040 includes the preparation of the city’s first Environmental Justice Element and updates to existing Land Use and Mobility Elements.

Webinar 5: Extreme Heat Resilience Among Disadvantaged Communities in Stockton

Wednesday, July 8th | 11AM – 12:30 PM

Haley Gilbert is an independent consultant working with Indicia Consulting and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Heat Island Group. For the past 11 years, she has worked with researchers; local, state, and federal governments; non-profits; utilities, industry, and community organizations to develop and carry out projects on the characterization and mitigation of urban heat islands. She co-leads the new Cool Building Solutions for a Warming World Collaborative and is currently participating in several projects to apply passive building cooling strategies to reduce health risks from extreme heat in disadvantaged communities. Prior to joining LBNL, she worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency coordinating green building and sustainability projects.

Darren Kumar | Senior Regional Manager | Rising Sun Center For Opportunity

Darren Kumar is the Senior Regional Manager at Rising Sun Center For Opportunity, where he oversees the operations of the San Joaquin County HQ office, as well as the implementation of all Central Valley based programs. Darren has almost 15 years of experience working in the philanthropic sector, and an educational background in administration. Darren first joined Rising Sun in 2011, to support Rising Sun’s portfolio of Bay Area initiatives. In 2014, Darren transitioned into supporting the expansion of Rising Sun’s offerings to San Joaquin County. Since then, Darren has been administering the Climate Careers program primarily in the City of Stockton. His areas of experience entail: program design, community relations , youth development , recruitment, the indirect management of 45+ full-time/seasonal staff members, and overseeing special projects being implemented in partnership with various organizations e.g. PG&E, BayREN, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, REDF, Indicia Consulting, the City of Stockton, and more.

Webinar 6: Identifying, Prioritizing, Financing Projects

Thursday, July 16th | 10 – 11 AM

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Confirmed Speakers:

Moderator: John Rossi | Program Manager, C&I Programs | TRC Companies

Mr. Rossi is a professional engineer with over twelve years of experience in industrial and commercial energy audits, with a special focus on government and institutional customers. He has experience developing a wide range of energy efficiency projects and performing utility grade 3rd party technical reviews for customized projects.

Rochelle Thomas | Energy Manager | San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO)

Rochelle Thomas is the Energy Manager with the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO). Rochelle’s primary work has been on the Municipal Energy Tune Up (METU) Program which provides technical assistance to local governments, special districts, and school districts in the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley. Technical assistance encompasses energy benchmarking, project pipelining, and advanced project assistance. Rochelle has nearly 10 years of experience working in the energy efficiency sector overseeing both residential and public sector programs. As a native to California’s San Joaquin Valley, Rochelle has a passion for working in rural, hard-to-reach, and disadvantaged communities.

Alelia Parenteau | Energy and Climate Program Supervisor | City of Santa Barbara

Alelia Parenteau, LEED Green Associate & Certified Energy Manager; runs the Energy and Climate Program at the City of Santa Barbara.

As Energy & Climate Manager, Ms. Parenteau identifies energy efficiency and conservation strategies, implements new technologies to reduce the City’s energy consumption and transition to 100% renewable energy and coordinates the development and implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan.

With expertise in utility operations, creative financing strategies, energy development, policy development and energy and climate best practices, Ms. Parenteau has helped position the City of Santa Barbara as a City to watch in the State when it comes to energy management and climate action.

Lindsey Hawes | Municipal Energy Program Manager | City of San Diego, Sustainability Department

Lindsey Hawes is the Municipal Energy Program Manager at the City of San Diego’s Sustainability Department. Lindsey and her team work closely with City staff, elected officials and public stakeholders to develop and implement strategic energy projects, policies and programs designed to push the City’s building portfolio toward the goal of zero emissions by 2035. Lindsey’s background in DER program consulting, classroom instruction, and project management lends a unique skill set that allows her to lead and affect change across a wide variety of initiatives. Lindsey has a master’s in environmental science and management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara. In her spare time, Lindsey enjoys exploring San Diego’s and the world’s natural and culinary treasures with her family and friends.

Webinar 7: Resources for Continuing Climate Action

Tuesday, August 4th | 1 – 2:30 PM

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

GOOGLE ENVIRONMENTAL INSIGHTS EXPLORER

Confirmed Speakers:

Calyn Hart | SEEC Program Officer | ICLEI USA

Calyn Hart joined ICLEI USA in 2018 as a Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC) Program Associate and currently serves as a Program Officer. Calyn provides technical assistance to local governments on GHG inventorying and climate action planning using the ClearPath tool. In addition to running training cohorts, Calyn also works to develop energy efficiency resources and incorporate climate equity throughout California. Calyn received her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Business and Biology in 2017 from the University of Redlands in Southern California. After graduating, Calyn went to work in the environmental field through the CivicSpark Fellowship program aiding the City of Santa Clara. During her CivicSpark Fellowship, Calyn updated the City’s Local Government Operations and Community greenhouse gas inventories, produced the City’s Climate Action Plan Annual Report, provided the framework for a Transportation Demand Management Plan and as well as the Climate Action Plan Update. After completing the CivicSpark Fellowship, Calyn continued on with the City of Santa Clara working on many climate and sustainability initiatives including the City’s Pilot Residential Food Scraps Recycling Program, the County Green Business Certification Program, and community outreach regarding the proper disposal of waste.

Nicole Lombardo | Business Strategy & Partnerships | Google

Nicole Lombardo leads business strategy and partnerships across Google’s Geo’s organization for the Environmental Insights team. In this role, Nicole is responsible for partnering with product management and engineering teams to pioneer new products, set strategic go-to-market plans, and manage partnerships for providing access to high quality data. These tools enable public sector and commercial businesses to drive smarter climate policies and profitable solutions to advance sustainability and a resilient, low-carbon future.

Her work has led to receiving the UNFCCC Climate Change award for the launch of Project Sunroof which utilize Google’s extraordinary mapping capabilities enabling the world’s renewable energy transition. More recently, the work she did to develop and launch Environmental Insights Explorer, led to receiving Google’s Green Award, which recognizes teams for their significant contributions that drive sustainability across the company.

She has over a decade of experience in renewable energy and software technologies. Prior to Google, Nicole held senior roles at Intel, Solarcity, and Oracle where she led high performing teams with a focus on business strategy and operations, product management and advertising, partnerships and sales across customers in public/ private sectors. Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of California at Davis.

Webinar 8: Building Decarbonization Policy Tools for California Local Governments

Wednesday, August 12 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Confirmed Speakers:

Moderator: Abby Young | Climate Protection Manager | Bay Area Air Quality Management District

Abby Young is the Manager of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Climate Protection Program. During her twelve years at the Air District, Abby has developed and overseen $7+ million in local climate protection grant programs, developed CEQA GHG thresholds of significance and guidance, and produced technical guidance and assistance programs for local governments in developing and implementing climate action plans. Prior to working at the District, Abby spent eleven years as Director of the US Cities for Climate Protection Campaign at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, overseeing the development of training programs, software and research to assist local governments in achieving their climate protection goals.

Amy Rider | Consultant | Building Decarbonization Coalition

Amy Rider is the Principal Consultant for Archamy Consulting who is acting as the Local Government Lead for the Building Decarbonization Coalition. She has held positions with local government agencies and consulting firms for more than 15 years, working to optimize local climate change response through education, behavior change and technology implementation.

Neal DeSnoo | Principal | Clean Energy Policy Advisors

Neal De Snoo has over 35 years of local energy policy experience, much of which serving the cities of Berkeley and Chicago. As a consultant, he provides guidance and support for the development of clean energy policies and projects, currently including the development of model reach codes and supporting materials and curating a website on clean building policies. Previously Neal managed Berkeley’s Office of Energy and Sustainable Development where he was responsible for providing strategic direction to the City’s sustainability efforts and directly managing programs related to climate change, clean energy and green building.

Neal has worked with a U.S. joint venture in China and with the City of Chicago in the Department of Aviation, Mayor’s Office and Department Planning/Energy Division. Neal graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles.

Webinar 9: Maximizing Value of Resiliency Programs: Case Study & Resources

Thursday, August 20th | 10 – 11 AM

A diverse group of presenters will share a case study and best practices on leading-edge approaches to region-wide energy resiliency programs that maximize economic, climate, and reliability benefits.

Resiliency programs leveraging distributed energy resources (DERs) are increasingly recognized as a solution to address multiple goals, including: increased reliability for residents and businesses during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events and/or natural disasters; increased reliability for the grid; reduction of GHG emissions; and the creation of economic value for both program participants and implementers.

COVID19 underscores the urgency and necessity of creating resilient systems. California could be in a position to experience PSPS events that push those who’ve been sheltering-in-place into crowded critical facilities, where COVID19 can more easily spread. This makes resiliency efforts even more necessary, especially for vulnerable populations

The presenting panel includes a Community Choice Aggregator (MCE), a policy-focused climate non-profit (The Climate Center), and a clean energy advisory firm dedicated to public agencies (TerraVerde Energy). The panel discussion will be moderated by the Manager of Commercial Solar Project Development for GRID Alternatives. GRID Alternatives is the largest nonprofit solar installer in the nation, and a leading voice driving results in low-income solar policy. Through its mission to make renewable energy technology and job training accessible to at-risk communities, GRID brings equitable solar solutions to families and non-profits throughout California, Colorado, the Mid-Atlantic region, and tribal communities nationwide.

MCE will share a case study demonstrating their best practices for most effectively targeting critical facilities, prioritizing high-needs residents, encouraging/incentivizing program participation, and leveraging funding from different sources to support program implementation.

TerraVerde will provide an overview of the opportunities, challenges, tools and best practices for intelligently designing and effectively deploying resiliency programs that result in the best environmental and economic outcomes. One of the tools that will be shared is the NavigaDER software, made publicly available with funding from the California Energy Commission. NavigaDER runs analyses on DER resiliency program scenarios, identifying optimal program participants for maximized economic value, environmental impact, and regional job creation.

The Climate Center will discuss the policy drivers accelerating the needs and opportunities for energy resilience and GHG reduction programs, including current relevant pending legislation and regulatory proceedings.

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Confirmed Speakers

Moderator: Marie Gunter | Commercial Solar Project Developer & Manager | GRID Alternatives, Bay Area

Marie is the Bay Area commercial solar developer and manager at GRID Alternatives — the largest non-profit solar and workforce development provider for marginalized communities in the nation. Currently, she develops, and oversees the design and project management of GRID’s multifamily affordable & non-profit solar and stands as an active regional representative for Equity, Inclusion & Diversity, both speaking and writing on these topics. Marie is a committed environmental and social equity advocate, with a strong background in community service and over a decade of experience working in the renewable energy sector as a consultant, high-performance sales, and management professional. She was awarded the honor of Special Recognition for Outstanding Community Service by the United States Congress, and named one of Oakland’s top diverse leaders in the renewables industry by the Port of Oakland. Marie combines her work passion with some of her favorite past times, outdoor trekking adventures, travel, and learning about new cultures, while inspiring others to manifest their own visions of a healthy human-to- earth connection.

Marie studied Economics, and attended the California Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, with a focus on Resiliency and Wholistic Living Systems.

David Burdick | EVP Business Development | TerraVerde

David Burdick serves as Executive Vice President of Business Development for TerraVerde Energy, an independent energy advisory firm that supports CCAs in evaluating, deploying, and managing Distributed Energy Resource (DER) programs. Over the past 10 years, TerraVerde developed over $400Million of energy programs on behalf of its clients, including over 100 MWs of distributed solar PV and battery energy storage systems for which TerraVerde provided feasibility analysis, project development & implementation oversight, as well as ongoing asset management services. In addition to their continued efforts (funded by the CEC and NREL) in developing DER Program Software for CCAs, TerraVerde is currently supporting several CCAs in deploying programs that incentivize battery energy storage deployments that will both increase community resiliency and reduce CCA procurement costs. Prior to joining TerraVerde, David served as a General Manager for a solar & battery EPC firm.

Jamie Tuckey | Director of Strategic Initiative | MCE

Jamie joined local efforts to form and launch MCE as part of the original three-staff team in 2008. With over a decade of industry experience, she brings extensive knowledge of the history, growth, and operations of community choice programs throughout the Bay Area and California. As Director of Strategic Initiatives, Jamie works closely with the CEO as a strategist and implementer on mission critical initiatives like resiliency, microgrids, and equity.

Before becoming Director of Strategic Initiatives, Jamie served as MCE’s Director of Public Affairs where she supervised the growth and expansion of service to more than 470,000 customers across 33 member communities in 4 counties. Before working for MCE, Jamie was part of the County of Marin’s Community Development Department, specializing in Green Business and related sustainability programs. She also worked for the City of San Luis Obispo on conservation, open space, and cultural heritage programs.

Jamie grew up in rural west Petaluma spending much of her childhood connecting to nature and becoming passionate about honoring and protecting the earth. She also loves to travel and soak in the world’s beauty, leaving her inspired, rejuvenated, and humbled.

Woody Hastings | Energy Program Manager | The Climate Center

Woody Hastings is the Energy Program Manager for The Climate Center. Celebrating his tenth year at the Center, Woody is an energy and environmental policy analyst, strategic planner, and community organizer with over 30 years of experience in the non-profit, governmental, and private sectors. Woody specializes in Community Choice energy, a state policy that fosters energy democracy by empowering communities to establish their own not-for-profit electricity service, thereby taking control over decision-making about energy sources for electricity generation.

Webinar 10: Building Decarbonization Full Throttle: CPUC Updates and Regional Implementation

Tuesday, September 1st | 1 – 2:15 PM

There are many barriers that exist on both the policy and implementation level that must be overcome if we are to meet the state goal of total carbon neutrality by 2045. This panel will provide information on the regulatory context for some recent activities at the CPUC, the role of regional programs in the Bay Area, and using different funding sources to enhance decarbonization efforts. Topics will include the 2019 changes to the energy efficiency “three prong test” that precluded fuel- substitution measures, the BUILD and TECH programs, and the Self Generation Incentive Program, and the Bay Area Regional Energy Networkʼs residential programs and Codes and Standards efforts, along with non-ratepayer funding sources which have been leveraged to provide more value to consumers. Finally, the panel will highlight the Bay Area Air Quality Management Districtʼs regional programs that focus on the air quality and health benefits of building decarbonization.

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

R.19-01-011 STAFF REPORT

Confirmed Speakers

Jennifer Berg | Energy Programs Manager | Association of Bay Area Governments

Jenny Berg graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She received her JD from the Catholic University in Washington, DC. and an Executive MBA Certificate in Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School. After a successful legal career focusing on toxic tort litigation, she followed her passion and concern for the environment. Jenny has been the Manager of the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) since its inception in January 2013, and is an Assistant Director with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Energy Programs Manager.

Jenny is Co-Chair of the California Energy Efficiency Coordinating Committee (CAEECC). Jenny strongly believes that regional strategy and implementation is key to addressing critical issues such as climate change, transportation, and air quality. Second only to her two teenage children, Jenny’s greatest source of pride is the success of the BayREN programs and the great group of local government BayREN members.

Rory Cox | Senior Analyst | Energy Division/CPUC

Rory Cox is a senior analyst in Energy Division at the California Public Utilities Commission, where he has worked since 2012. He is a staff expert for building decarbonization policies, and is managing the TECH Initiative, a program that aims to transform the California market for low-emissions heating technologies. In the past, he has provided oversight of marketing, industrial energy efficiency, and water-energy nexus programs. Rory works with the investor-owned utilities and other stakeholders on program implementation, regulatory matters, and program evaluation. Prior to his time at the CPUC, Rory was the California Energy Program Director at Pacific Environment, a San Francisco-based non-profit.

Abby Young | Climate Protection Manager | Bay Area Air Quality Management District

Abby Young is the Manager of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Climate Protection Program. During her twelve years at the Air District, Abby has developed and overseen $7+ million in local climate protection grant programs, developed CEQA GHG thresholds of significance and guidance, and produced technical guidance and assistance programs for local governments in developing and implementing climate action plans. Prior to working at the District, Abby spent eleven years as Director of the US Cities for Climate Protection Campaign at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, overseeing the development of training programs, software and research to assist local governments in achieving their climate protection goals.

Moderator: Jennifer West | Program Manager | StopWaste

Jennifer West works at StopWaste, a public agency reducing pollution and waste in Alameda County in the Bay Area. StopWaste is one part of the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN), which serves local governments working on energy efficiency through programs and codes support. She served on the Emeryville City Council and as Mayor, which opened her eyes to local and regional efforts to increase housing, transform transportation and reduce energy use in buildings. Increasing the sales of Heat Pump Water Heaters in the Bay Area Region is the focus of her work these days for more efficient, healthier homes. She graduated from Wesleyan University and the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.

Webinar 11: Not Your Grandma’s Regulatory Update

Wednesday, September 9th | 11 AM – 12:15 PM

Many public agencies have climate action plans (CAP) with ambitious climate and energy goals, targets and actions. These laudable strategies will only be realized if local government action is adequately funding, supporting local capacity to implement energy projects and programs. Some CAP actions are best pursued as part of Californiaʼs energy policy goals, and as a result necessitate effective collaboration with investor owned utilities (IOUs); Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Southern California Edison. A CAPʼs feasibility and effectiveness can be significantly impacted by the Stateʼs regulatory agencies, which can have an outsized influence in implementing legislative policies.

In 2020, the CPUC will engage on issues that are core to local governmentsʼ ability to deliver on their climate action and adaptation plans, including:

• Wildfire mitigation
• Public Safety Power Shutoffs
• Microgrids
• Distributed Energy Resource Planning
• Transportation Electrification
• Energy Efficiency and Electrification
• Utility Customer Rates

The Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition (LGSEC) provides a robust expert voice for its 40 member organizations on crucial energy policy matters. No other group that represents local governments has a regular presence at the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission and the California Air Resources Board.

This webinar will provide an overview of the regulatory process and current issues that directly impact local governments. The speakers will highlight the challenges associated and opportunities local governments have to influence important policies that could have wide ranging impacts on their ability to make good on their climate action plans.

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Confirmed Speakers

Moderator: Garrett Wong | Climate Program Manager / Board Chair | County of Santa Barbara / LGSEC

Garrett Wong is the Climate Program Manager at the County of Santa Barbara. He previously worked as a Senior Sustainability Analyst for the City of Santa Monica. He leads policy, programs and projects in climate action & adaptation planning, energy efficiency and renewable energy and electric vehicle charging.

Alejandra Téllez | Program Management Analyst / Board Member | County of Ventura / 3C-REN / LGSEC

Alejandra Téllez is the program analyst for Sustainability Programs for the County of Ventura. Alejandra, manages the Local Government Partnership; Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance which is the County’s local energy efficiency clearinghouse office for training seminars, project identification, technical project support and energy planning for municipal governments, school and community college districts, special districts and small commercial businesses. In partnership with the counties of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Alejandra oversees the residential programs which provide utility customers and contractors with a direct link to dozens of energy rebates, training workshops and customer programs. Also manages sustainability activities via building operations and program implementation in County of Ventura services.

Lou Jacobson | Director of Fiscal Services / Board Member | Eureka City Schools / LGSEC

In 2005, Lou Jacobson moved to Northern California from West Virginia to advance his career in the energy efficiency industry. Lou’s experiences with strip mining, mountain top removal and fracking in West Virginia and Ohio led to his desire to learn about, and work on, behind the meter programs. In 2019, he left the Redwood Coast Energy Authority team after over 10 years of implementing and leading a variety of integrated Demand Side Management programs. Lou is now working with Eureka City Schools (ECS) as the Director of Fiscal Services. In addition to supporting a variety of fiscal and business services, Lou continues to engage in the distributed energy resource space by supporting ECS’s energy efficiency and management, Proposition 39, fleet efficiency, and renewable generation efforts. Lou serves as a board member to the Local Government Sustainability Energy Coalition and is a California Energy Efficiency Coordinating Committee Member.

Steven Moss | Partner / Regulatory Consultant | M.Cubed / LGSEC

Steven Moss specializes in resource economics and public policy analysis. He has led numerous assignments focusing on energy, environmental, and land use issues. He is co-author of A Guide for Reviewing Environmental Policy Studies and teaches in the Public Policy Program at Mills College.

Mr. Moss holds an M.S. in Public Policy from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a B.S. in Conservation of Natural Resources from the University of California, Berkeley.

Since receiving a graduate degree in public policy from the University of Michigan, Moss has spent more than twenty years engaged in various aspects of the policy process, such as policy analysis, public finance, strategic planning, and political campaigning. He’s worked on a variety of issues, including deep dives into civic engagement, health care, land use issues, energy, water, and air quality, including climate change. And while he’s focused most of his energies in California, Moss has led projects in India, Niger, Rwanda, and Senegal.

Webinar 12: State-Administered, Utility-Supported Financing for Energy Efficiency Retrofits

Thursday, September 17th | 10 – 11:15 AM

Learn about the State of Californiaʼs programs making attractive financing for energy upgrades available to homeowners, renters, small businesses and affordable multifamily properties. You can help your constituents save energy and lower their utility bills by connecting them to these programs. This webinar will feature a presentation on available financing and a panel discussion with several program partners of the California Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing (the Hub) to discuss customer benefits from different perspectives and answer audience questions about how this financing fits their constituentsʼ needs.

Lowering the barriers to energy efficiency (EE) retrofits through financing, particularly in underserved market sectors, is critical to reaching the stateʼs goal of reduced energy consumption with shared benefits for all Californians. In this webinar, participants will hear from representatives of the Hub, a program of the State Treasurerʼs Office that leverages private capital to provide affordable financing for EE upgrades. The Hub operates financing programs that offer a credit enhancement to participating lenders, which allows them to expand their underwriting criteria. This creates financing opportunities for underserved borrowers – including renters, new business owners and those with lower credit scores — while introducing new products to the market with lower interest rates, longer payback terms, and broader credit approval. By removing the upfront costs for EE upgrades, these programs allow Californians to prioritize efficiency and make lasting impacts on their energy use, including through decarbonization measures. The Hub is supported by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the stateʼs Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs).

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Confirmed Speakers:

Julie Lessard | Vice President of Consumer Loans | First U.S. Community Credit Union

Julie Lessard is the VP of Consumer Loans at First U.S. Community Credit Union in Sacramento, CA. She has worked in the credit union industry for the last 19 years, beginning at the branch level as a Member Service Representative and moving into consumer lending as a loan processor, loan officer and department manager prior to her current position.

As VP of Consumer Loans, Julie is responsible for overseeing the credit union’s non-real estate consumer loan program, specializing in a variety of loan types which include auto loans, credit cards, signature loans and home improvement loans, as well as the credit union’s newest addition: the Residential Energy Efficiency Loan.

Julie is a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a B.S in Biology, and resides in Folsom, CA with her husband Drew and sons Evan and Brennen.

Lynette Kyle | Credit Union Direct Lending Administrator | Valley Oak Credit Union

Lynette Kyle has been in the credit union industry for over 35 years starting as a teller and working her way up through various positions in lending, serving as a branch manager and administration positions. She is currently working at Valley Oak Credit Union as the Credit Union Direct Lending (CUDL) administrator for the last eight years and recently took on the REEL Energy Loan Program. In between credit unions, she spent six years at the City of Tulare in the Redevelopment Department working with various non-profit agencies that do home improvements with State funding and grants such as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Housing and Community Development (HCD). Lynette enjoys spending time with her husband at Morro Bay and riding their new motorcycles.

Genevieve Dionne | Project Funding Specialist | California Energy Consultant Service

Genevieve Dionne started working for California Energy Consultant Service in 2016 as a Project Funding Specialist. In this role, she carries multiple responsibilities for supporting a growing small-business enterprise. These include, but are not limited to:

• Keeping up to date with different financing options available to CECS customers
• Identifying best options for customers according to their needs and financial parameters
• Maintaining open and constructive communication with different lenders
• Supporting the CECS sales team

Gen’s passion is helping people improve their lifestyles and relationships. A resident of Honduras for more than 5 years, Gen works remotely and is very resourceful.

“Application denied is not an option,” says Gen. “There is always a solution out there for a customer looking to finance a home improvement project!” In the past 4 years, she has helped more than 150 homeowners find the best financing option available.

Moderator: Kaylee D’Amico | Marketing, Education and Outreach Specialist | CA Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing, CAEATFA – State Treasurer’s Office

Webinar 13: Local Governments Leading the Way through Resilient Microgrids

Tuesday, September 29th | 1 -2 PM

Wildfires, power shut-offs, and other climate effects are driving the critical need for energy resiliency across California communities. Local government and institutions are taking the lead on microgrids in many areas to ensure their residents continue to receive critical services and back-up power. Given the technical complexity and range of possible microgrid models, local governments can best benefit by learning from one another and working together to implement a sustainable future for us all.

This panel session will feature diverse local experts, each with a unique perspective on developing innovative, resilient microgrid solutions across the state:

• Mike Grim, City of Carlsbad – Feature project: Carlsbad microgrid
• Craig Lewis, Clean Coalition (non-profit) – Feature projects: City of Camarillo solar microgrid and City of Santa Barbara community microgrid
• Jim Zoellick, Humboldt State University – Feature project: Redwood Coast Energy Authority and Pacific Gas & Electric community microgrid

Presenters will discuss the goals and multiple benefits their microgrid projects address – from resiliency to carbon reduction, reliability, and government operations. They will explore the process and funding sources they have leveraged to develop studies and designs. And they will highlight the stakeholders and partnerships behind many of their microgrid projects which have been critical to their success. Finally, presenters will share important lessons learned and recommendations from their experiences for other communities eager to explore similar opportunities.

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Confirmed Speakers:

Mike Grim | Sr. Programs Manager | City of Carlsbad

Mike Grim has over 25 years of local government experience including land use planning, housing policy, airport compatibility planning, CEQA processing, habitat conservation, and climate planning. He currently administers the city’s Climate Action Plan, coordinating both climate change mitigation and adaptation programs and projects. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, a network of cities and public agencies that work together to advance climate planning and solutions for the San Diego region.

Craig Lewis | Founder and Executive Director | Clean Coalition

Craig Lewis has over 30 years of experience in the renewables, wireless, semiconductor, and banking industries. Previously VP of Government Relations at GreenVolts, he was the first to successfully navigate a solar project through California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard solicitation process. Craig was energy policy lead on Steve Westly’s 2006 California gubernatorial campaign. His resume includes senior government relations, corporate development, and marketing positions at leading wireless, semiconductor, and banking companies such as Qualcomm, Ericsson, and Barclays Bank. Craig received an MBA and MSEE from the University of Southern California and a BSEE from the University of California, Berkeley.

Jim Zoellick | Principal Engineer | Humboldt State University, Schatz Energy Research Center

Jim is a Principal Engineer at the Schatz Energy Research Center at Humboldt State University with 25 years of dedication. His work involves planning, analysis, project development and implementation, with a special focus on tribal and public sector projects in rural northern California. Most recently he has worked to develop, deploy and evaluate cutting edge microgrid technology. He has managed or co-managed two microgrid projects at the Blue Lake Rancheria, including the 2018 DistribuTECH Project of the Year for DER Integration. Currently he is co-managing the Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid Project; this will be the first front-of-the-meter, multi-customer microgrid on Pacific Gas and Electric’s distribution system.

Moderator: Katie Wilson | Assoc. Vice President | TRC

Webinar 14: Strategic Planning for a Clean Energy Future: How to Phase, Scale & Finance Smart Cities Solutions

Wednesday, October 7th | 11 AM – 12:15 PM

The Willdan Smart Cities Working Group will share 5-7 case studies illustrating how to phase, scale and finance smart cities solutions. The panel will include interactive discussion with representatives from the City of Irvine, City of Long Beach, and City of West Hollywood who will share tips, tactics and tools for implementation of smart cities strategic planning efforts. The panel will also include valuable examples of how to fund smart cities infrastructure with input provided by experts in New Markets Tax Credits, Opportunity Zones, and traditional forms of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funding.

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Confirmed Speakers:

• Molly McMay, Principal, Willdan Financial and Economic Consulting
• Kate Kigongo, Innovation Analyst, City of West Hollywood
  Steven Clarke, Senior Director, Willdan Performance Engineering
• Andrea Marr, Senior Director, Willdan Performance Engineering

Webinar 15: Keeping the Focus Local: A Conversation with SoCalREN Regional Partnerships

Tuesday, October 15th | 10 -11 AM

Join us for an exciting panel featuring SoCalREN’s regional partners, South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), High Sierra Energy Foundation (HSEF), San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO). Our panel speakers will share how they are matching SoCalREN resources with the unique needs of their region, including disadvantaged and rural communities. Specifically, they will discuss the recent shift towards virtual services and how it may actually benefit these hard-to-reach communities.

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Confirmed Speakers:

Moderator: Nicol Manzanares | Program Manager | The Energy Coalition

Nicol manages messaging, outreach and engagement for the SoCalREN Public Agency Programs. She leads the enrollment process for new agencies looking to join the SoCalREN and designs and facilitates workshops and webinars for the program. Nicol has a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Cal State Long Beach.

Samantha Dodero | Associate Executive Director | San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO)

Samantha Dodero is the Associate Executive Director at the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization. Before taking her current position, Samantha graduated from the California State University, Fresno with a degree in Business Administration. In her current role as Associate ED, she oversees all program implementation within the organization’s large 12 county territory in California. At SJVCEO, for short, she tirelessly pursues pragmatic solutions for rural problems.

Pam Bold | Executive Director | High Sierra Energy Foundation

Pam Bold is the Executive Director of the High Sierra Energy Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes the culture of energy efficiency and sustainability in the Eastern Sierra. She is the co-chair of the Rural and Hard to Reach working group and a board member of the California Green Business Network. Pam graduated from San Diego State University and spent her early career in the technology field and couldn’t be happier that she found her way to a role that allows her to have a positive impact on people and the environment.

Katie Ward | Senior Management Analyst | San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments

Katie Ward began her career in energy efficiency and local government as a CivicSpark Fellow at the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) in 2014. In her current role as a Senior Management Analyst, Katie is in charge of the day-to-day management of the SGVEWP and SoCalREN Regional Partnership. She also manages ongoing active transportation programs, including open streets and bike share. Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Cal Poly Pomona and a Master’s degree in Public Administration at Cal State University, San Bernardino.

Kim Fuentes | Deputy Executive Director | South Bay Cities Council of Governments

Kim Fuentes is the Deputy Executive Director for the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) where she is responsible for implementing sustainability programs and managing the South Bay Environmental Services Center – a clearing house for environmental information. Under her oversight, the SBCCOG approved the South Bay Subregion Climate Action Plan, Vulnerability Assessment, and Adaptation Plan. Her passion to support local governments and bring resources to the South Bay is seen in the various programs she manages including green business certification, vehicle emission reduction, and environmental conservation.

BPC Spotlight Event 1: How Disadvantaged Communities Can Take Advantage of Dedicated Energy and Climate Opportunities

Tuesday, October 21st | 1 -2 PM

The State of California has dedicated significant investment in energy and climate opportunities for “disadvantaged communities” (DACs), which suffer from economic, health, and environmental burdens. However, local governments representing DACs may lack the internal capacity to track and pursue these opportunities. This session will provide an overview of guiding DAC policies, definitions, and funding and technical assistance opportunities. If you’re a local government practitioner working in a community with DAC census tracts, please join a conversation with State and local speakers, facilitated by the Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, aimed at helping you better navigate the big dollar world of DACs to meet your energy and climate goals.

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Confirmed Speakers:

Moderator: Angie Hacker | Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator | Local Government Commission

Angie Hacker has nearly 20 years of public, private and non-profit experience serving communities in the areas of sustainability, energy, and climate change, primarily in California. Prior to becoming CEO and Principal Consultant of Prosper Sustainably, she served as Energy and Sustainability Division Chief for the County of Santa Barbara. In that role, she oversaw local, state, federal, and IOU-funded energy and climate initiatives and participated in state regulatory efforts. Her areas of expertise include designing innovative local/regional solutions, communicating a strategic vision, pursuing policy and regulatory opportunities, obtaining resources, building local capacity, leveraging cross-sector partnerships, and engaging stakeholders. She enjoys managing complex projects and datasets to achieve results within multi-agency, political and bureaucratic environments. She earned a Master of Public Administration from New York University.

Noemí O. Gallardo | Public Advisor | California Energy Commission

Noemí O. Gallardo joined the California Energy Commission (CEC) as the Public Advisor in September 2019 after being appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom. She oversees the Public Advisor’s Office, which advises the public and the CEC to ensure the full and effective participation by all interested groups and the public at large in the CEC’s proceedings.

Before joining the CEC, she was senior manager of public policy at Sunrun Inc. Her professional experiences include serving as a program fellow at the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, a consultant at Gallardo Law and Policy Consulting, an energy and telecommunications legal fellow at the Greenlining Institute, and a principal investigator at the Public Law Research Institute at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Gallardo is also a state-certified interpreter in Spanish who established and ran a translation and interpretation services business in her native Ventura County.

She is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and is a first-generation college graduate who earned a juris doctor degree from UC Hastings, a master of public policy degree from the University of Southern California, and a bachelor of arts degree from Pepperdine University.

Ena Lupine | Community Assistance Program Manager | California Strategic Growth Council

Ena leads SGC’s California Climate Investments Technical Assistance Program, which helps create a more equitable playing field for under-resourced applicants looking to access the funds to transition to climate-smart communities. In this role, she manages a broad range of capacity building activities for applicants to cap-and-trade grant funded programs, including workshops, trainings, and direct application assistance. Prior to her appointment at the Strategic Growth Council, Ena completed her Master’s degree at UC Davis, where she focused her research on equitable and inclusive policies for investment in under-resourced communities. Ena also has varied experiences working in education and communications for organizations in France, India and the US.

Ena holds a Master of Science in Community Development from UC Davis and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, French, and Environmental Studies from Colby College in Maine

Peter Pallesen | Senior Project Coordinator| City of Ontario Housing Department

Peter Pallesen is a Senior Project Coordinator at the City of Ontario Housing Department. Peter leads the implementation and manages the City’s $35 million Transformative Climate Communities Grant Program, Ontario Together. Additionally, Peter is responsible for conducting analytical reports on topics such as affordable housing and homelessness. Peter also assists in overseeing the implementation of the City’s CARES Act Short-Term Rental and Homeowner Utility Assistance Programs.

Prior to working for the City of Ontario’s Housing Department, Peter spent two years overseeing the City’s Business License Department where he was responsible for managing the City’s 10,000+ annual business license renewals as well as implementing the City’s first online business license system and listing. Along with this role, Peter also managed the City’s cashiers and processed all City deposits and wire transfers. Peter has a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Speech Communications from the University La Verne and has since completed additional professional services certificates such as Fundamentals of Project Management and Business Fundamentals from UCLA. Peter is currently enrolled in Cal Poly Pomona’s Southern California Local Government Leadership Academy and is seeking to obtain his Master in Public Administration.

Walker Weiland | Research Scientist | Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)

Walker Wieland is a Research Scientist with the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). He is also OEHHA’s Environmental Justice Liaison. His work is focused on CalEnviroScreen, which he has been working on for nine years. Walker researches pollution and population-based information to characterize burdens to communities across California. He conducts virtual and in-person trainings on CalEnviroScreen, and also creates and maintains web mapping tools for several projects at OEHHA. He is also a representative of Cal EPA’s Open Data Steering Committee.

Webinar 16: 2020 Virtual Beacon Award Ceremony

Tuesday, October 27th | 1 -2 PM

The Institute for Local Government is celebrating Beacon Award winners virtually this year, in conjunction with the virtual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum. For more than 11 years, the Beacon Program has encouraged, supported and recognized voluntary action by local governments throughout California to address climate change, promote energy innovation and foster more vibrant communities. Beacon participants are leaders in creating communities that have cleaner air and water, more efficient transportation options, and a healthier use of natural resources. Join us in a virtual award celebration, featuring recorded remarks from Former State Senator Fran Pavley, honoring 36 award-winning cities from across the state that have taken significant steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, implement sustainability best practices, and so much more.

WEBINAR RECORDING

Webinar 17: Mapping Energy Efficiency, Climate Planning, and Regional Partnerships

Wednesday, November 4th | 11 AM – 12 PM

This webinar maps the energy efficiency measures, climate planning, and local partnerships that form the basis of energy efficiency implementation efforts in the San Diego region.

Local jurisdictions in the San Diego region have been supported in their climate planning and implementation efforts by a range of organizations including planning agencies, utilities, and nonprofits. Mapping regional planning and energy efficiency efforts provides a unique opportunity to identify gaps, opportunities for further programming, and to highlight areas of success for replication.

Panelists from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) will outline the planning that happens at a regional level and the partnerships in place to inform and support local climate change and implementation plans. The San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative will introduce its new ESRI Story Map which provides a unique, interactive overview of climate planning and maps how individual jurisdictions are taking action on energy efficiency. The City of Carlsbad will then share their own experience developing their climate action plan and implementing energy efficiency
ordinances.

It is through collaboration and sharing knowledge and best practices that organizations can work to bridge the gap between climate planning and energy efficiency implementation. Understanding key trends and the needs of individual communities can also help frame the discussion as we look to the next stage of supporting local communities in meeting their energy needs and adapting to climate change challenges.

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Confirmed Speakers:

Moderator: Chris Nanson | Senior Account Executive | SDG&E

Chris is a Senior Account Executive at SDG&E for Industrial segment of the Business Services division. Throughout his 11 years at SDG&E Chris has assisted in the development of regional policies aimed at curbing climate change with the Public Sector, researched and led demonstrations on cutting edge renewable energy technology, been the utility lead for customer incentive programs related to solar and innovative clean energy technologies, and assisted in the distribution of utility-owned solar at over 40 locations around SDG&E’s service territory.

Anna Lowe | Senior Regional Planner | San Diego Association of Governments

Anna Lowe is a San Diego native and committed to ensuring future generations can experience the region as she has. Anna has almost two decades of experience working in local and regional government, with over ten years focused on climate and energy. She currently manages the Climate Resilience program at the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), which comprises of clean energy and climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience policy, planning, and implementation. The Climate Resilience team plays an integral role in the development and implementation of the SANDAG Regional Plan. She and her team provide technical assistance to local governments on energy efficiency and climate change planning through the SANDAG Roadmap program and help preserve our local beaches and coastline through monitoring, collaboration, and adaptation efforts. Anna also managed the regional plug-in electric vehicle and alternative fuel readiness planning efforts through Plug-in San Diego and Refuel, respectively. She also serves as staff liaison for the SANDAG Regional Energy Working Group and represents SANDAG on the San Diego Regional Energy Partnership and the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative Advisory Board. Anna received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and obtained her Master of City Planning from San Diego State University.

Christiana DeBenedict | Director | San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative

Christiana DeBenedict brings over fourteen years of experience managing multi-stakeholder projects, coordinating project teams, and developing and implementing program and organizational strategy. Christiana brings this skill set to her role as Director of Environment Leadership Initiatives at The Nonprofit Institute where she manages The Equinox Project and the Outdoor Leaders Initiative. Christiana also serves as Director for the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, a network of cities and public agencies working to advance local climate solutions. These projects provide an opportunity for Christiana to bring her passion for advancing sustainability efforts through a collaborative approach that engages stakeholders and leverages technology and data to inform program and organizational planning efforts. Previously, as the US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership’s (BPP) Director of Member Services and Operations, Christiana worked to establish the partnership’s programs to strengthen BPP members in advancing philanthropy, leadership and collaboration in the border region. Christiana graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Languages and Bilingual Issues and holds an International MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain.

Yichao Gu | Technical Policy Analyst | Energy Policy Initiatives Center, University of San Diego

As the technical policy analyst at USD’s Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC), Yichao Gu’s work focuses on developing greenhouse gas emissions inventories, assessing mitigation measures for local jurisdictions and the San Diego region and further developing, maintaining and updating the tools and models to the best available data and methods.

Prior to joining EPIC in July of 2015, Gu worked as a research assistant at the California Department of Public Health, Indoor Air Quality Program. Her work focused on airborne exposures and indoor volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions. She received a Master in Science in Civil Engineering from University of California, Berkeley, with a focus on life cycle assessment and the intersection of energy, civil infrastructure and climate science. Gu has a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, with an energy-environment nexus focus, from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

Lisa Walker | Research Assistant | San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative

Lisa Walker is a Research Assistant at San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative. Lisa coordinates the organization’s energy efficiency program, as part of the San Diego Regional Energy Partnership. She has extensive experience with non-profit program monitoring/evaluation and enjoys technical data analysis and data visualization challenges. Prior to moving to San Diego, she spent over 6 years working with Australia’s First Nations communities to combat extreme disadvantage. She is passionate about fighting for a more equitable future and helping nonprofits and communities prove the impact of their work. She received a Bachelor of Economics/Arts from the Australian National University and a Master of Sustainability from Monash University.

Mike Grim | Senior Programs Manager | City of Carlsbad

Mike Grim is the Climate Action Plan Administrator at the City of Carlsbad. He has over 25 years of local government experience including land use planning, habitat conservation, and climate planning. Mike recognizes the crucial role that regional partnerships play in climate adaptation efforts. These partnerships have resulted in the successful completion of the Carlsbad Emergency Services Advanced Microgrid feasibility study and climate scenario planning for the Batiquitos Lagoon Resiliency Plan. He is currently managing the South Carlsbad Boulevard Climate Adaptation Project, funded through a Climate Ready Grant from the State Coastal Conservancy. Working with the Conservancy, Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s Center for Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation, California Coastal Commission, and California State Parks, the project will analyze roadway realignment through the lens of climate adaptation, incorporating nature-based solutions and identifying areas for enhanced coastal access and recreation.

Webinar 18: One Vision, Many Policy Paths to Local Decarbonization

Thursday, November 12th | 10 AM – 11:30 AM

Local governments and regional organizations are seeking to encourage building decarbonization through a range of innovative policies. Electrification-focused action plans, reach codes, rebates, incentives, and other strategies are critical to supporting cities progress. This webinar will feature diverse local experts—each with a unique perspective on developing, adopting, and implementing effective local policies in California communities.

Panelists will share details on the creative policy strategies each has considered and/or implemented through a lively exchange. They will explore the benefits, challenges, similarities, and differences between the policies. They will also explore partnerships and community engagement has been central to successful adoption. This session will hold important lessons learned and practical applications for other jurisdictions considering similar decarbonization policies.

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Confirmed Speakers:

Moderator: Farhad Farahmand | Senior Project Manager | TRC

Farhad Farahmand partners with cities and counties, utilities, community choice aggregators, and local stakeholders across California on cost-effectiveness analysis and municipal reach code adoption. Farhad enthusiastically supports communities as they move toward decarbonization goals, bridging the technical feasibility and real-world application of local energy solutions. Farhad earned a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of California, Berkeley, and a Master’s in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University, and is a registered Professional Engineer.

Sarah Moore | Sustainability Program Manager | City of Berkeley

Sarah Moore is the Sustainability Program Manager in the City of Berkeley’s Office of Energy & Sustainable Development. She works on implementing Berkeley’s climate action goals with a specific focus on incorporating green, sustainable features into buildings and advancing active and electric mobility as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving health, equity, and resilience in Berkeley. She has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Carleton College and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Chris Read | Sustainability Manager | City of San Luis Obispo

Chris Read is the Sustainability Manager at the City of San Luis Obispo and is committed to working with the community to create a carbon neutral, equitable, accessible, and prosperous city. Mr. Read has worked with local governments for a decade and is deeply driven to address the causes and impacts of climate change.

Srinidhi Sampath Kumar | Sustainable Housing Policy and Program Manager | California Housing Partnership

Srinidhi Sampath Kumar joined is a Sustainable Housing Policy and Program Manager at California Housing Partnership. She leads policy initiatives and helps design programs that impact low-income Californians by engaging with affordable housing property owners and community based organizations. She advocates for equitable energy efficiency and building decarbonization policies that will decrease split incentives and improve resident’s health and comfort. Srinidhi received her Master of City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley and her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Stella Maris College.

John Supp | Account Services Manager | Silicon Valley Clean Energy

John Supp supports commercial and multi-unit dwelling customers and manages programs at Silicon Valley Clean Energy. Prior to joining SVCE, John developed a broad-based knowledge of various renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. Most recently, he worked for local fuel cell manufacturer, Bloom Energy, as the Incentives Operation Program Manager. Before that, he was running the Account Management team and developing programs for the DC Sustainable Energy Utility to support energy efficiency, solar, and workforce development. He is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and received his undergraduate degree from UCLA.

BPC Spotlight Event 2: What Do We “SEEC” Next? An Interactive Forum Closing

Tuesday, November 17th | 10:30 – 11:30 AM

Another SEEC forum is in the books and the SEEC program as we’ve known it is sunsetting after a decade of success. Join us to celebrate all we’ve learned together and help us think into a promising new chapter for CA local government energy efficiency collaboration. This event will feature updates from each SEEC NGO, IOU representatives, new tools to help you access useful information, and a listening session where you can help drive what we do next.

WEBINAR RECORDING

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Best Practices Database

CA Local Energy Technical Assistance Directory

Confirmed Speakers:

Moderator: Angie Hacker | Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator | Local Government Commission

Angie Hacker has nearly 20 years of public, private and non-profit experience serving communities in the areas of sustainability, energy, and climate change, primarily in California. Prior to becoming CEO and Principal Consultant of Prosper Sustainably, she served as Energy and Sustainability Division Chief for the County of Santa Barbara. In that role, she oversaw local, state, federal, and IOU-funded energy and climate initiatives and participated in state regulatory efforts. Her areas of expertise include designing innovative local/regional solutions, communicating a strategic vision, pursuing policy and regulatory opportunities, obtaining resources, building local capacity, leveraging cross-sector partnerships, and engaging stakeholders. She enjoys managing complex projects and datasets to achieve results within multi-agency, political and bureaucratic environments. She earned a Master of Public Administration from New York University.

Julia Kim | Climate & Energy Program Director | Local Government Commission

Julia joined the Local Government Commission (LGC) in March of 2015 and serves as the Director of Climate and Energy Programs. She helps to create livable, resilient communities by partnering with public agencies, community leaders, and key stakeholders throughout California on place-based climate resilience initiatives while supporting the advancement of the climate change field at-large. She focuses on the opportunities that climate change presents to redesign existing systems and processes while collaborating with diverse partners to implement equitable, innovative, and comprehensive climate solutions.

Julia is also a board member of the American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP) and the Sierra Nevada Alliance (SNA). She serves as a community advisory committee member for UCLA’s Climate Change Heat Impacts & Protective Policies Project and as a steering committee member for the 2019 California Climate Action Planning Conference. Julia earned a B.A. in political science and philosophy, and an M.P.P. in environmental policy and international security/economic policy, both from the University of Maryland

Nicole Enright | Associate Program Manager | Institute for Local Government

Nicole is an associate program manager at ILG, dedicated to identifying and scaling-up local solutions to meet the challenges of climate and sustainability through targeted-on-the-ground technical assistance, expanding partnerships and peer learning. Previously, Nicole served as a Program Officer at the Institute for Sustainable Communities and a Sustainability Aide for the City of Flagstaff’s Sustainability Program where she developed and implemented clean energy, community resilience and sustainability programming.

Nicole holds a Masters in Environmental Policy and Management and a Graduate Certificate in Energy and Sustainability from the University of Denver and a Bachelors in Environmental Studies from Northern Arizona University.

Calyn Hart | SEEC Program Officer | ICLEI USA

Calyn Hart joined ICLEI USA in 2018 as a Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC) Program Associate and currently serves as a Program Officer. Calyn provides technical assistance to local governments on GHG inventorying and climate action planning using the ClearPath tool. In addition to running training cohorts, Calyn also works to develop energy efficiency resources and incorporate climate equity throughout California. Calyn received her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Business and Biology in 2017 from the University of Redlands in Southern California. After graduating, Calyn went to work in the environmental field through the CivicSpark Fellowship program aiding the City of Santa Clara. During her CivicSpark Fellowship, Calyn updated the City’s Local Government Operations and Community greenhouse gas inventories, produced the City’s Climate Action Plan Annual Report, provided the framework for a Transportation Demand Management Plan and as well as the Climate Action Plan Update. After completing the CivicSpark Fellowship, Calyn continued on with the City of Santa Clara working on many climate and sustainability initiatives including the City’s Pilot Residential Food Scraps Recycling Program, the County Green Business Certification Program, and community outreach regarding the proper disposal of waste.

Jennifer Berg | Energy Programs Manager | Association of Bay Area Governments

Jenny Berg graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She received her JD from the Catholic University in Washington, DC. and an Executive MBA Certificate in Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School. After a successful legal career focusing on toxic tort litigation, she followed her passion and concern for the environment. Jenny has been the Manager of the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) since its inception in January 2013, and is an Assistant Director with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Energy Programs Manager.

Jenny is Co-Chair of the California Energy Efficiency Coordinating Committee (CAEECC). Jenny strongly believes that regional strategy and implementation is key to addressing critical issues such as climate change, transportation, and air quality. Second only to her two teenage children, Jenny’s greatest source of pride is the success of the BayREN programs and the great group of local government BayREN members.

Michelle van Tijen | Pacific Gas & Electric

Alma Briseno | Southern California Gas Company