Program
Track Legend
The Holistic Climate/Energy Planning and Readiness Track sessions will cover one or more of the following topic areas
- Leveraging energy data: benchmarking, tools, usage, and access
- Equipping diverse partners to accelerate community-driven solutions (e.g CBOs, tribal governments, and small businesses)
- Holistic climate action planning to support implementation
- Integrating climate resilience into climate/energy action plans
- Piloting new technologies and strategies
- Redefining climate readiness through planning and community engagement
- Planning and implementing affordable ZNE housing
The Equitable Decarbonization Strategies Track sessions will cover one or more of the following topic areas
- Electrification best practices, action plans, retrofits, and lessons learned
- Energy Efficiency (EE) energy education and curtailment behaviors for community members
- Responsible waste management for building retrofits and retirement of energy efficiency equipment
- Reducing embodied carbon in building construction
- Electrification and decarbonization policies, model ordinances, and codes
- Integrating Energy Efficiency (EE) with Distributed Energy Resources (DER), Electric Vehicles (EVs), storage, renewable energy, and Zero-Net Energy (ZNE)
- Access to Energy Efficiency (EE) rebate programs for renters and affordable housing retrofits
- Decarbonization strategies in agriculture and farming including energy efficient technologies, water/energy nexus, transportation, workforce impacts, etc.
A Just Transition to Clean Energy Track sessions will cover one or more of the following topic areas
- Overview of climate risks to the energy sector and key transition opportunities
- Clean energy workforce development and equitable job transition programs
- Retiring stranded assets and associated workforce impacts and life cycle assessment
- Emergency management; navigating public safety power shutoffs; disaster mitigation, and recovery
- Preparing for a decentralized energy system through DER procurement processes and community microgrids
- Grid reliability solutions via non-diesel backup power, smart grids, hardening, or distributed generation to respond to disruptions
- Transition to electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, impacts on the grid, and opportunities to diversify transportation options
Tuesday, August 3
10:00 – 11:30 am
Opening Plenary – A Statewide View of Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities
Opening Plenary – A Statewide View of Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities
Tuesday, August 3 | 10:00 – 11:30 am
California communities are emerging from the pandemic with new needs, priorities, and possibilities. Local governments are managing many fundamental shifts at once including a wave of commitments to recover in ways that take climate change, equity, and health more seriously than ever before. In this session, we welcome State and local speakers to help us begin the forum by ground setting in the “new normal” and highlighting clean energy progress, challenges, and opportunities from around the State.
Speakers:
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lunch 1 – How Local Governments Can Seize the Moment: 2021 State Budget and Policy Updates
Lunch 1 – How Local Governments Can Seize the Moment: 2021 State Budget and Policy Updates
Tuesday, August 3 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm
At a federal and State level, pandemic recovery efforts are meeting stronger commitments to equity, health, clean energy, and climate change. This intersection may result in an unprecedented wave of opportunity for local governments to tackle multiple needs and goals at once, but it also means that local governments will have to stay on their feet to take advantage of all the changes. This opening day lunch session will feature a state budget and energy policy review from Nuin-Tara Key with the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and Roger Dickinson, Policy Director with the Local Government Commission.
Speakers:
Wednesday, August 4
10:00 – 11:00 am
Webinar 1 – Championing Cross-cutting Programs: Effective Equity and Climate Resilience Partnerships
Webinar 1 – Championing Cross-cutting Programs: Effective Equity and Climate Resilience Partnerships
Wednesday, August 4 | 10:00 – 11:00 am
As California recovers from the COVID-19 Pandemic, local governments will be tasked with implementing cross-cutting programs that tackle issues of affordable housing, homelessness, water resiliency, and the environment altogether. Oftentimes, projects that address the issues of affordable housing, homelessness, water, and the environment are developed separately. Through local regional partnerships, these projects can be united in their goals to promote equity and climate resiliency. The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and its regional partners will present on three regional programs that represent these ideals. The highlighted programs include the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust, the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN), and the Water Policy and Technical Advisory Committees. These programs represent the power and benefits of regional partnerships at accomplishing intersectional goals. Speakers will share strategies and recommendations for local jurisdictions, community partners, and agencies to address intersectional issues by embedding regional partners in institutional processes and practices.
Speakers:
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Moderator: Samuel Pedersen | Management Analyst | San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Sam works on a wide range of programming in his role as a Management Analyst at the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments; from energy efficiency to homelessness and even the Neighborhood Coyote Program. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from New York University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School. |
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Brielle Acevedo | Regional Housing Trust Administrator | San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust Brielle is an affordable housing lending professional with experience in the public and private sector. As the Administrator of the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust, her work seeks to increase the supply of affordable and homeless housing in the San Gabriel Valley. Brielle is a graduate of USC Price School and completed the Ross Minority Program in Real Estate. Brielle serves on the boards of the Glendale Youth Alliance and LA County Community Development Foundation, whose work aims to end generational poverty. She is Vice President of the Sylmar Neighborhood Council. |
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Lujuana Medina | Environmental Initiatives Manager | County of Los Angeles – ISD Environmental & Energy Services Lujuana is responsible for managing and operating the SoCalREN energy efficiency portfolio. She also leads policy and grant development regarding energy efficiency, economic development and the electrification of transportation throughout the Southern California Region. Over the past 16 years, she has worked in various capacities in the energy policy field. Before joining the County of Los Angeles, Lujuana served as the Regulatory Manager for SoCalREN under ICF consulting, as the Energy Efficiency Policy Lead for Southern California Gas Company, as a Regulatory Case Manager in the Power Procurement Department for Southern California Edison, as a Generation Resource Planner and Utility Finance Advisor for San Diego Gas & Electric. |
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Alex Tachiki | Deputy Director of Public Works | City of Monrovia Alex Tachiki currently serves as the Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of Monrovia. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California with a certificate in Public Policy. Alex currently manages various divisions within Public Works including Environmental Services, Engineering, Transportation, Capital Improvement Program and Administration. |
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lunch 2 – Resilience Hubs: Equitable Climate Solutions
Lunch 2 – Resilience Hubs: Equitable Climate Solutions
Wednesday, August 4 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Resilience hubs are some of the most promising and equitable approaches to scaling up local resilience. Existing community-serving facilities can become resilience hubs by increasing their adaptive capacity and augmenting their building systems. Hubs center equity by creating power-building opportunities and relying on community leadership and expertise in decision-making processes. A group of Bay Area agencies collaborated with NorCal Resilience Network to implement a pilot leadership training series in 2021 to introduce the resilience hubs framework. The development of a program curriculum with local speakers allowed for partnership building, collaboration with existing sites, and responsiveness to local needs. Overall, the Resilience Hub training engaged with over 275 community participants from 50 sites. This fishbowl discussion will introduce resilience hubs as an important model for agencies collaborating with community organizations and equitable preparation for climate disruptions, and cover the program overview, impacts at hub sites, and lessons learned from agencies involved.
Speakers:
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Moderator: Shayna Hirshfield-Gold | Climate Coordinator | City of Oakland Shayna Hirshfield-Gold oversees climate action planning and implementation for the City of Oakland. She led the creation of Oakland’s 2030 Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP), which was adopted by Oakland City Council in July 2020 and puts the city on a trajectory to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. She also co-led development of a new City Ordinance, adopted in December 2020, prohibiting the use of natural gas in new buildings. Shayna’s other projects have included developing plug-in electric vehicle policies and infrastructure, regional energy policy coordination, urban forest planning, and working with cross-sector teams to build a more equitable approach to City-community engagement. Shayna leads with a justice-oriented approach to climate and environmental policy development, informed by her upbringing and background in organizational work. |
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Susan Silber | Executive Director | NorCal Resilience Network Susan Silber has worked as both a community organizer and environmental educator for the past 30 years. She was introduced to community resilience after learning about the Transition Movement several years ago. Susan went on to help organize Transition Berkeley, co-produce several Permaculture Convergences and then founded the NorCal Resilience Network. Susan is also proud to have introduced thousands of youth to the joys of nature and coordinating environmental education programs, from serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica to writing the Berkeley Unified School District’s Sustainability Plan. She lives in a tight-knit neighborhood in Berkeley with her daughter and husband. |
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Patrice Strahan | Community Organizer | Disability Justice Culture Club Patrice Strahan is a core member of Disability Justice Culture Club, a collective led by and centering disabled and neurodivergent QTBIPOC located in unceded Chochenyo Ohlone territory (in deep East Oakland, CA). DJCC has been involved in several projects, including the #PowerToLive campaign and the DJCC COVID Response Network. |
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Hoi-Fei Mok | Sustainability Manager | City San Leandro Dr. Hoi-Fei Mok, PhD (they/them) is a neurodivergent, queer, non-binary Asian American artist and organizer born and raised in San Leandro / occupied Chochenyo and Karkin Ohlone lands. They currently work as the sustainability manager at the City of San Leandro, leading the City’s implementation of the Climate Action Plan and other sustainability programs. With a strong interdisciplinary background in environmental science, climate policy, and social justice, Fei aims to build out equitable community-driven strategies for local resilience and agency to climate change in their hometown of San Leandro. Fei currently serves on the California Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Climate Network, the national NAACP Centering Equity in Building Energy Sector Initiative, the National Adaptation Forum equity advisory committee, and the Bay Area Climate Adaptation Network (BayCAN) equity working group. |
Thursday, August 5
10:00 – 11:15 am
Webinar 2 – Soup to Nuts: An Interagency Approach to Guiding Constituents from Education to Energy Savings
Webinar 2 – Soup to Nuts: An Interagency Approach to Guiding Constituents from Education to Energy Savings
Thursday, August 5 | 10:00 – 11:15 am
This session will present a framework for collaboration between county, regional, and state agencies that provides a continuum of support for constituents to improve their energy efficiency. With many energy-focused programs and resources available statewide, it can be difficult for constituents to navigate the options and overcome barriers to making energy upgrades. Collaboration across multiple agencies is key to raising awareness about available support for efficiency and sustainability improvements at the local level. The webinar will begin with an overview of available rebates and financing that can be used together by constituents undertaking energy upgrades, followed by a panel discussion about how the three presenters work together to streamline the complex energy retrofit landscape for constituents. Participants will learn about available energy efficiency resources for their constituents, how to pair them together to provide continuity of support, and best practices for interagency collaboration to raise awareness in their community.
Speakers:
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Webinar 3 – Sustainable Procurement: Opportunities for Local Government
Webinar 3 – Sustainable Procurement: Opportunities for Local Government
Thursday, August 5 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Empower Procurement, a program lead by Doug Davenport, Founder and Executive Director of ProspectSV will be joined by Richard Schorske, Executive Director of ZNE Alliance and EV Alliance, and Christopher Payne Deputy for Operations, Building Technology & Urban Systems Division of Lawrence Berkeley National Lab to explore the opportunities for carbon reduction through sustainable procurement approaches and what their findings may mean for Local Government.
Speakers:
Tuesday, August 10
10:00 – 11:00 am
Webinar 4 – Increasing EV Adoption: From Paper to Production
Webinar 4 – Increasing EV Adoption: From Paper to Production
Tuesday, August 10 | 10:00 – 11:00 am
Electric vehicles have received more attention than ever in California in recent years and are continuing to gain more market share in the U.S. auto industry, with ripple effects on the energy industry. To support greater EV adoption, local governments are transitioning their own public fleets to EV while targeting EV infrastructure investments towards the populations and locations that need them. This session will feature a moderated panel of local EV experts that will share thoughts on the current progress and opportunities for EVs in California, and innovative approaches to planning, procurement, and implementation of local EV initiatives that can effectively curb emissions and drive equity.
Speakers:
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Moderator: Michael Chiacos | Director of Energy and Climate Programs | Community Environmental Council Michael directs CEC’s energy, transportation, and climate programs. He has 14 years of experience leading dozens of clean energy and climate projects, including forming ElectricDrive805, the regional electric vehicle readiness coalition for Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. This group has worked with dozens of businesses, local governments and others to install hundreds of EV charging stations, as well as conducted EV marketing, education, and outreach activities, including large Green Car Shows with hundreds of ride and drives. Michael has also influenced state energy and electric vehicle policy as an intervenor at the California Public Utilities Commission and has contributed to projects such as the EV Readiness Blueprint for Ventura County, the Central Coast ZEV Equity project, and the Central Coast EV Implementation Project. |
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Carlos Huizar | Planning Associate | City of Torrance Carlos Huizar is a Planning Associate and manages the Sustainability Initiative for the City of Torrance. With over six years of professional planning experience, Carlos provides well-rounded technical expertise in land use, environmental planning, healthy communities, urban design, and community engagement. Under the City’s Sustainability Initiative, Carlos is currently working on the Climate Adaptation Plan and advancing the planned expansion of the City’s EV charging program into fleet applications. Carlos holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban & Regional Planning from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and recently obtained a Master’s in Public Administration from the California State University, Long Beach. |
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Sigalle Michael | Sustainability Coordinator | City of Burlingame Sigalle Michael is the City of Burlingame’s Sustainability Coordinator. She manages climate action, EV, renewable energy, waste reduction, and resource conservation projects for the City. She has over a decade of experience developing and implementing environmental actions for local governments. Prior to Burlingame she worked for the Bay Area Air District on clean air and climate action policies. |
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Janelle London | Co-Executive Director | Coltura Janelle London is the co-executive director of the nonprofit Coltura, the executive director of Joint Venture Silicon Valley’s Beyond Gasoline initiative and the vice-chair of Menlo Park’s Environmental Quality Commission. She published the first op ed in California calling for a phaseout of gasoline-powered vehicles. Janelle is the co-author of several papers on gasoline, including State Vehicle Electrification Mandates and Federal Preemption, Governing the Gasoline Spigot: Gas Stations and the Transition Away from Gasoline, and an upcoming paper on redesigning EV incentives to target those drivers who use the most gasoline. She wrote the first children’s storybook about the harms of gasoline, Sparky’s Electrifying Tale. Janelle holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a law degree from University of California, Berkeley. |
2:00 – 3:15 pm
Webinar 5 – Planning for Equitable Existing Building Electrification
Webinar 5 – Planning for Equitable Existing Building Electrification
Tuesday, August 10 | 2:00 – 3:15 pm
While many cities have begun the transition to decarbonize new construction through electrification ordinances, the conversion of existing buildings from mixed fuel to all-electric must consider the implications for low-income, disadvantaged, and historically under-invested communities. This session presents a facilitated discussion with the parties involved in the recently completed City of Berkeley Existing Building Electrification Strategy, which serves as a guide to an equitable transition of existing buildings from fossil fuel reliance to primarily renewable electricity by identifying the policy, funding, and regulatory processes which must be addressed. The City of Berkeley strategy is a first of its kind document which combines a parcel level cost and energy assessment of electrification options, funding mechanisms for the electric building transition, and a thorough evaluation of the equity impacts on the community. To develop the strategy, the project team conducted extensive and targeted outreach to Berkeley’s marginalized communities and received substantial feedback that guided the goals, timeline, and associated actions. The discussion panel will address topics relevant to their expertise and development of the strategy, including the detailed analysis of existing residential buildings, extensive community engagement, equity considerations, regulatory constraints, and electrification policy development.
Speakers:
Wednesday, August 11
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lunch 3 – Building Equity Into Policy & Programs with SOMAH
Lunch 3 – Building Equity into Policy & Programs with SOMAH
Wednesday, August 11 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Join the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) team for an interactive discussion on this pioneering program and opportunities to bring its impact to your community. The team will walk through the program’s equity-driven approach to a state-level solar incentive program, with a walkthrough of how equity is integrated into the program’s policies and implementation. There will be breakout sessions focused on two of the program’s pillars: 1) community-based organization partnerships and tenant education, and 2) workforce development. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the program, its goals, and how local governments may be able to access SOMAH’s nearly $1 billion in incentives.
Speakers:
2:00 – 3:15 pm
Webinar 6 – Incorporating Environmental Justice Priorities into Regulatory and Enforcement Policy
Webinar 6 – Incorporating Environmental Justice Priorities into Regulatory and Enforcement Policy
Wednesday, August 11 | 2:00 – 3:15 pm
While investments in clean energy opportunities for environmental justice communities is a critical component to a just transition, influencing decision-making and conducting robust environmental enforcement are equally necessary for rectifying environmental injustice. In this session, we will hear from leaders at the CA Public Utilities Commission, the California Department of Justice, and Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability about their approach to incorporating environmental justice into regulatory and enforcement policy, some early successes, and where the State has room to grow. Participants will leave with a deeper knowledge of how an equity approach can be incorporated into enforcement practices and concrete examples of communities accessing decision-making power.
Speakers:
Thursday, August 12
10:00 – 11:15 am
Webinar 7 – The Future is Local: Just and Equitable Clean Energy Transformation
Webinar 7 – The Future is Local: Just and Equitable Clean Energy Transformation
Thursday, August 12 | 10:00 – 11:15 am
Local government leadership is truly the best driver for transformation to a clean and democratized energy economy. Regional Energy Networks (RENs) and Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) are leading the charge and have deep and expanding roots in climate program deployment. They are crafting unique programmatic solutions to address local risks, including energy resilience, climate change mitigation, and workforce preparedness. Panelists representing RENs and CCAs will provide a peek into pilot efforts, programs, and partnerships offering community-focused initiatives with the potential to scale up and spark innovation in this era of renewed national commitment to climate change work. This session celebrates the change-makers and initiatives harnessing the power of local mobilization and engagement to shepherd in a cleaner, environmentally just energy future—one that succeeds by increasing access while building community equity and resilience.
Speakers:
12:00 – 1:15 pm
Lunch 4 – BPC Spotlight Event: How Local Governments Can Be Competitive in Today’s Funding Climate
Lunch 4 – BPC Spotlight Event: How Local Governments Can Be Competitive in Today’s Funding Climate
Thursday, August 12 | 12:00 – 1:15 pm
Moderated by the Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, this session features experts that will review changing trends in relevant energy/climate funding sources, eligibility, and selection criteria and provide tips for how to write a competitive proposal to advance your organization’s strategic goals, including a live demo of how review a solicitation for “fit,” “deal-breakers,” and “score-boosters.” The Statewide Best Practices Coordinator will also share CCEC’s new Funding Resources website and database that can help you identify new ways to pay for your initiatives.
Speakers
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Webinar 8 – Preparing Workers to Build Back Cleaner
Webinar 8 – Preparing Workers to Build Back Cleaner
Thursday, August 12 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm
As California recovers from the pandemic and prepares for forthcoming effects from the climate crisis, local clean energy workforce development programs will play an essential role in sustainable recovery efforts aimed at “building back better.” Local agencies help people obtain skills and good jobs and, therefore, can be strategic about increasing the number of skilled workers needed to achieve a vision for efficient, decarbonized, and resilient buildings in the future. This session features speakers from local and regional workforce development programs that demonstrate innovative approaches to putting people to work in the energy and building trades. Join us to learn what these programs are doing to boost skills and job opportunities, how they were developed, what lessons they’ve learned, and what opportunities and challenges lie ahead.
Speakers:
Tuesday, August 17
10:00 – 11:00 am
Webinar 9 – Planning for Energy Reliability Solutions That Do More Than Keep the Lights On
Webinar 9 – Planning for Energy Reliability Solutions That Do More Than Keep the Lights On
Tuesday, August 17 | 10:00 – 11:00 am
Power disruptions and changing energy usage patterns in the past several years have underscored the urgent need for reliable energy. More than ever, local, State and federal governments are looking for the best ways to actualize commitments to economic recovery in ways that also advance climate action, energy assurance, and environmental justice. Through thoughtful load, feasibility, and financial analysis, local governments can strategically implement solutions like solar microgrids, battery backup, and coordination with utility providers to maintain critical public facilities and services. Plans can also identify programs and policies to encourage private property owners to implement these solutions and target attention where vulnerable populations may be being left behind. This session will highlight the latest energy reliability news, planning case studies, and financing best practices from communities across California to help local governments as they consider their own energy reliability or microgrid initiatives.
Speakers:
11:30 – 1:00 pm
Lunch 5 – Local Government Electrification: Opportunities and Challenges
Lunch 5 – Local Government Electrification: Opportunities and Challenges
Tuesday, August 17 | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Join the Empower Procurement Program for an exciting and collaborative workshop which will tackle the challenge of electrification strategic planning through the lens of DERs procurement. Along with fellow local government representatives, participants at various stages in their journey will have an opportunity to share best practices and gain access to valuable planning resources designed by subject matter experts. This session is intended to kick start a coordinated and networked support system to enable local governments to work together to meet this challenge in California. Empower Procurement is a CEC EPIC-funded program including partners from Energy Solutions, Prospect Silicon Valley, the Local Government Commission and others.
Speakers:
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Webinar 10 – Speeding Decarbonization Efforts with Reach Code Development Tools
Webinar 10 – Speeding Decarbonization Efforts with Reach Code Development Tools
Tuesday, August 17 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Reach codes, local measures that “reach” beyond the minimum state Building Energy Standards to require more resource-efficient buildings, are powerful tools for driving climate action and decarbonization efforts. Today, at least one in three Californians live in a community with effective reach codes. However, the development and adoption process can be challenging for jurisdictions that are disadvantaged, under-resourced or struggling to identify the best options. One new and highly effective tool that helps ‘level the playing field’ is the free online Cost Effectiveness Explorer, developed by the statewide reach codes program. This session presents a hands-on look at this tool to demonstrate how a local jurisdiction can effectively use the tool to identify reach code measures, as well as lessons learned from two different jurisdictions.
Speakers:
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Moderator: Misti Bruceri | Technical Lead| Statewide Reach Codes Program/Misti Bruceri & Associates 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. |
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David Freedman | Member | Palm Springs Sustainability Commission Following a 30-year career as an international lawyer in New York and Paris focused on corporate finance and energy and water projects, David Freedman retired in Palm Springs and began a new career as a volunteer environmental activist. Mr. Freedman has served since 2015 on the Palm Springs Sustainability Commission, where he has written many of the City’s renewable energy and energy and water conservation policies. He has also served since 2019 as Chair of the Community Advisory Committee of Desert Community Energy, the Community Choice Aggregator that provides electricity in Palm Springs. |
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Eric Engelman | Principal | Energy Policy Consulting Eric Engelman has a master’s degree in public policy from University of California-San Diego. After working as a development economist internationally, he returned to San Diego to specialize in local government energy policy. Over the last decade, Eric served as Senior Energy Policy Adviser to the City of San Diego and consulted with local governments to help them accelerate energy policy adoption. Building software to simplify data-driven energy policy making is a dream come true. |
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Cory Downs | Conservation Specialist | 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. |
Wednesday, August 18
12:00 – 1:15 pm
Lunch 6 – The State of Local Climate Planning – a Needed Evolution
Lunch 6 – The State of Local Climate Planning: a Needed Evolution
Wednesday, August 18 | 12:00 – 1:15 pm
A group of climate change practitioners convened in 2019 and again in 2021 to develop a collective statement regarding the State of Local Climate Planning. Released in May 2021, this Statement found that local climate action planning had reached an inflection point, and progress has become stagnant. In order to achieve the rapid transformational GHG reductions needed, the field must identify lessons learned from the last decade and move beyond traditional climate action planning processes to prioritizing implementation. The work ahead does not live with a single organization or small group of people: we hope these observations support reflection, spark dialogue, and fuel an appetite to work in a new direction with new partners. This session will be a facilitated discussion to support this reflection towards the goal of shifting practitioners and practices to implementation and action. See link here.
Speakers:
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Webinar 11 – Next Generation Building Decarbonization: Policy Evolution in California & Washington
Webinar 11 – Next Generation Building Decarbonization: Policy Evolution in California & Washington
Wednesday, August 18 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm
This Pacific Coast panel will discuss the latest in decarbonization policy in Brisbane, San Francisco and the State of Washington. From small cities like Brisbane, to dense urbanized cities like San Francisco, to the Evergreen State of Washington, we will discuss how to address any scale of policy creation to meet big bold climate goals. With less than 5,000 residents, the City of Brisbane is an unlikely hero in California’s journey to decarbonization, but in 2019 it passed the most comprehensive benchmarking and auditing ordinance in the country. San Francisco has recently launched an innovative approach, helping commercial asset managers plan for decarbonization, to better connect their local ordinance to the city’s Climate Action Plan. Lastly, the State of Washington will discuss their Clean Building Act, which aims to lower costs and pollution from fossil fuel consumption in existing buildings through a performance standard and incentive program.
Speakers
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Moderator: Marc Costa | Director of Policy & Planning| The Energy Coalition Marc has more than twelve years of experience in the building industry focusing on areas ranging from advanced energy community planning, federal energy data standards and software development, as well as state and local government energy policy. Marc previously led the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition (LGSEC) “To Code” committee, is an active member of the California Technical Forum, advisor to the CEC on AB 802 data regulations and machine learning GIS data efforts, a member of the Department of Energy’s Task Force to create and implement data exchange standards, and was on the triennial DOE Solar Energy Technology Office investment proposal review team to award National Research Laboratories 2018-2020 funding. He holds a B.S. in Management Science from UCSD, a B.S. in Construction Engineering from CSULB, and is a LEED AP, CGBP, and BOC Level II. |
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Adrienne Etherton | Sustainability Manager | City of Brisbane, Brisbane Building Efficiency Program Adrienne Etherton is the City of Brisbane’s Sustainability Manager. Prior to joining the city, she served as Executive Director of Sustainable San Mateo County from 2011-2017. She has a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has studied architecture and worked in design, construction and logistics, and holds LEED AP and NABCEP Solar certifications. Adrienne also serves on the Board of the San Mateo Resource Conservation District. |
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Barry Hooper | Senior Green Building Coordinator | San Francisco Department of the Environment Barry Hooper manages the Existing Buildings Energy Performance ordinance, which motivates improved energy efficiency through benchmarking and energy use disclosure for commercial and multifamily buildings, and requires commercial buildings to prepare an actionable plan for improvement. Barry leads development and supports implementation of San Francisco’s codes and regulations requiring new buildings to be all-electric, install solar photovoltaics or living roofs, provide electrical infrastructure for vehicle charging, and meet credible 3rd party green building standards including GreenPoint Rated or LEED. Barry is an active contributor to Bay Area Regional Energy Network Codes & Standards program, and is active in the C40 Cities Private Buildings Efficiency Network. |
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Emily Salzberg | Managing Director | Building Unit, State of Washington Emily Salzberg is the Managing Director for the Building Standards and Performance Unit at the Washington State Department of Commerce where she currently oversees administration of Washington State’s Clean Buildings Law. Emily has over 15 years of experience administering, evaluating, and providing technical assistance for energy efficiency programs in the Northwest. Her experience includes low-income weatherization, community-based efficiency programs, technology research, market development and energy code implementation. |
Thursday, August 19
10:00 – 11:00 am
Webinar 12 – Leveraging Solar & Battery Systems to Lower Costs & Increase Resiliency
Webinar 12 – Leveraging Solar & Battery Systems to Lower Costs & Increase Resiliency
Thursday, August 19 | 10:00 – 11:00 am
Our communities need cheaper, cleaner, more reliable electricity. With the increased frequency of power shutoff events and other power outages, communities need backup power resources. And with energy rates continuing to climb and shift, communities need resources that can help them control their energy costs and save money. When paired with solar, batteries can provide both backup power and cost savings benefits. In this virtual event, David Burdick & Ali Chehrehsaz of TerraVerde Energy will be sharing their team’s experience supporting California public agencies with solar and battery energy storage projects. We will discuss how changes in energy reliability and rates are impacting communities, the latest on funding & programs for these projects (including the fast moving SGIP incentive program, and a new solar refi program), methods for assessing the Economic Value of Resilience, and how local governments can take action in lowering energy costs and increasing energy resiliency.
Speakers
1:00 – 2:30 pm
Closing Plenary – Highlights and Horizons: An Interactive Forum Closing (Recommended)
Closing Plenary – Highlights and Horizons: An Interactive Forum Closing
Thursday, August 19 | 1:00 – 2:30 pm
This interactive session will give CCEC Forum participants a chance to reflect on what they have learned during the 12th Annual Forum and key takeaways that will advance local and state clean energy and climate actions. Together we will highlight what is on the horizon for local governments as they lead the way in a promising new era for climate, equity, health, and prosperity. This event will feature roundtable remarks by LGC and REN representatives, breakout discussions, and a facilitated listening session where you can share insights and help drive what we do next.
Speakers
Peer-to-Peer Network
We often hear that networking is one of the most valuable aspects of the annual Forum. We would like to ensure that the network we have built still has access to each other in the absence of the in-person networking benefits that the Forum provided, and therefore have created a closed Peer-to-Peer network. Feel free to use this group to connect with other professionals, whether it be for project support or professional development reasons.
Thanks to our CCEC Forum Sponsors!
The Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) reduced energy use in our region’s buildings for a more affordable, healthy, resilient and sustainable community.
The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) delivers regional-scale energy efficiency programs, services, and resources focused on energy, water, and resilience.
The Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) brings together a wide variety of services with one common goal: achieving unprecedented levels of energy savings throughout Southern California.
TerraVerde Energy is an independent advisory firm that supports Community Choice Energy Agencies, Public Agencies, and Commercial Enterprises in developing and deploying solar, battery, and energy resiliency programs.
The Energy Coalition (TEC) is a nonprofit that is creating the building blocks for a new energy economy by bringing ideas, technology, and expertise to public agencies, businesses, educators, & more.