California Climate & Energy Collaborative

Past Forum Resources

The California Climate & Energy Forum (previously the Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Forum) has been held since 2010. Resources, including videos, powerpoints, and notes from previous forums can be found below.

16th Annual CCEC Forum

July 9-10, 2025 | San Jose, CA
2025 Forum Theme – Hope in Action: Local Leads the Way

The 16th Annual CCEC Forum, themed “Hope in Action: Local Leads the Way,” spotlighted the critical role of local leadership in shaping a sustainable future amidst an uncertain climate landscape. With the urgency of the climate crisis growing and the growing clarity that it is local action that will lead the way, this two-day event will convene local and regional governments, State agencies, community-based organizations (CBOs), nonprofits, and private sector leaders to explore bold, actionable solutions. By showcasing how grassroots initiatives and regional collaborations are driving innovation and equity, the forum underscores the importance of local action as the cornerstone of climate resilience and progress.

View the Program

Plenaries

California in Action: A Changing Landscape in 2025

At the opening plenary of the 16th Annual California Climate and Energy Forum, we explored the implications of federal landscape changes on climate and energy and how California continues to move forward with our goals. Aligned with this year’s theme, Hope in Action, this panel showcased how state leaders are taking action and driving change – and what that means for how locals can continue to lead the way!

We discussed key policies, trends, and opportunities to sustain funding and momentum on critical climate and energy issues. With a focus on timely updates for local governments, attendees will gain the knowledge and tools to take action in their communities.

  • Speakers
  • Erin Curtis, California Strategic Growth Council, Executive Director
  • Kate Gordon, California Forward, CEO
  • Rachel Peterson, California Public Utilities Commission, Executive Director
  • Noemi Gallardo, California Energy Commission, Commissioner
  • Moderator
  • Angie Hacker, California Climate and Energy Collaborative, Statewide Best Practices Coordinator

Deep Dive: Advancing Climate & Energy Solutions in the Bay Area

The plenary session was a deep dive into the energy and climate landscape of Santa Clara County and the broader Bay Area. This session brought together local and regional leaders to share their visions, challenges, and strategies for accelerating clean energy adoption, reducing emissions, and advancing equity and environmental justice. Through candid conversations, speakers discussed both progress and obstacles, highlighting innovative approaches and collaborative efforts that are driving meaningful change across the region. From navigating policy complexities to fostering partnerships, participants will gain valuable insights into how unified action can create a more sustainable and resilient Bay Area.

  • Speakers
  • Jane Elias, Association of Bay Area Governments, Director, Energy Programs
  • Jasneet Sharma, Mateo County Sustainability Department, Director
  • Violet Saena, Climate Resilient Communities, Executive Director
  • Moderator
  • Dan Kalb, CivicWell, Board member

Breakouts

What’s in a Label? Using Home Energy Score to Advance Local Climate Action
Presentation Slides

The Home Energy Score (HES) is a DOE-developed rating system that provides a report of a home’s energy usage, utility bills, and custom recommendations to improve energy efficiency and encourage electrification. The Home Energy Score is used around the country to advance local climate action goals, helping residents improve their homes’ energy efficiency and lower utility costs. Starting next year, the Bay Area’s Home Energy Score Program­—led by the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) and StopWaste—will be expanding statewide. Jurisdictions across California will have access to energy assessor training, customized report recommendations, and rebates for residents. Join this session to learn from those who have implemented local HES programs about how you can take advantage of the HES to meet your jurisdiction’s climate action goals.

  • Maria Hart, StopWaste, Program Manager
  • Valerie Nguyen, City of Berkeley, Sustainability Program Specialist
  • Yuridiana Pantoja, County of Yolo – Sustainability Division, Associate Administrative Services Analyst
  • Ammon Reagan, City of Berkeley, Sustainability Program Coordinator
Conversation Around the Local Government Kitchen Table: How to Address Affordability in a Changing Landscape
Presentation Slides

As climate change intensifies, local governments face the need to increase funding for emergency services for climate disasters and support the clean energy transition, while community members are also compelled to decarbonize their own organizations and households. Recent increases in electricity rates are making that clean energy transition difficult. This session will ask and answer three questions about how we can address these challenges: What could we do? – In partnership with Green Cities California, LGSEC will explore the root causes of rising electricity rates and identify potential options for rate reform. What should we do – Some local jurisdictions are moving beyond regulatory processes, forming coalitions to influence state legislation and shift the policy landscape. What are we doing? – Local governments are partnering to create through more Regional Energy Networks to deliver programs and advocate for policies that ensure underserved and hard-to-reach communities are not left behind in the clean energy transition.

Connecting Data Point Dots: Using Data Tools to Develop Effective Reach Codes and Energy Policies
Presentation Slides

Local reach codes and policies need to be more effective than ever given the changes at the federal level. One way to develop more impactful policies is to ground them in data. There are a number of data tools available that can help local governments learn about their existing building stock, determine where action is most needed, and effectively guide communities and building owners towards specific actions. This workshop will provide an overview of four building data tools, including strengths and weaknesses of each, together with a demonstration of how to access and use the data from the tools for a specific city.  Whether you are considering a reach code, wondering whether a building performance standard is right for you, or working on a climate action plan, this workshop will provide practical information and tools for maximizing the impact of your policies.

Planning for Climate Action Project and Funding Success: Top 10 Strategies
Presentation Slides

Want to turn your climate action ideas into funded, impactful projects? Join Consero Solutions—a social impact consulting firm working to empower local organizations to enrich communities and protect the environment—the County of Yolo’s Sustainability Division, and the County of Sonoma for a power-packed session on winning strategies for climate action project development and funding research. We will break down the top 10 must-know funding strategies based on our professional experience, from aligning local equity priorities with funding opportunities to staying ahead of state and federal funding trends to engaging the community in meaningful project development.

Making Community Solar Work in California: Lessons from the State’s First Small Multi-Site System
Presentation Slides

Community solar generation has proven to be an effective way of providing consumers with affordable, renewably generated electricity and encouraging the co-location of supply and demand. Shifting and uncertain regulatory environments and the difficulties inherent in building new energy infrastructure within urban load basins, however, have troubled these efforts in California. This session explores the history of community solar initiatives, existing barriers to implementation, and promising future approaches to make community solar work in California through the experiences of the Bassett-Avocado Heights Advanced Energy Community (BAAEC) ‚ a CEC EPIC-funded demonstration project. BAAEC built 626KW of rooftop solar across two sites, in a disadvantaged community, aggregated to CAISO via both the IOU and CCA utilities. Our session is intended to provide attendees with an in-depth discussion of both policy and practical challenges facing community solar, insights to scale the community solar market in the State, as well as what value a community-centered approach can provide for low-income and disadvantaged ratepayers.

Speakers
Moderator
  • Genaro Bugarin, The Energy Coalition, Director of Energy Innovation
Navigating Uncertainty: How Community Choice Aggregators are leading locally despite big challenges
Presentation Slides

Join us for an engaging panel featuring CEOs from California’s Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) as they discuss the key challenges facing CCAs and how they are working to overcome them. Topics will include the impact of federal policy changes, trade measures, and financial uncertainties on clean energy projects—such as tariffs on materials, shifts in tax incentives, and changes to tax credits and funding access. The panelists will share how their organizations are adapting to these evolving conditions, finding creative solutions, and continuing to drive local progress on clean energy, climate action, and community investment.

Speakers
Moderator
Frontline Leadership, Regional Coordination: Assembling the Bay Area Regional Climate Action Plan
Presentation Slides

The Bay Area Air District is creating the Bay Area Regional Climate Action Plan (BARCAP) to leverage the extensive ongoing climate work being done at the local level across the region. Our team sought to develop strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors of the economy in a way that benefits frontline communities. In this session, we will share tactics used to engage the public and frontline communities across a vast area spanning eight counties, the benefits those communities found of greatest interest, and the regional measures developed in response. Expect to take away a set of useful practices for engaging frontline communities in substantive conversation about the benefits and challenges of climate action. Session attendees will engage in facilitated discussion about how climate action planning can be enhanced by partnering with local residents, CBOs, neighboring cities/counties, and regional entities.

Speakers
Moderator
EV Chargers: WHY Regional Collaboration Matters, HOW it Produces Value and WHAT it looks like
Presentation Slides

As electric vehicle adoption accelerates in California, the need for a well-coordinated, regionally integrated charging network has never been greater. Join this dynamic, interactive session to explore—and prove—how regional collaboration is key to deploying EV infrastructure efficiently, equitably, and at scale. Regional collaboration can take many forms, including coordinated planning, data sharing, joint procurement, and collective grant-seeking efforts – all of which can enhance equity, efficiency, cost savings, network optimization, and grid resilience. Success hinges on active participation and collaboration between regional stakeholders. Hear insights from local leaders, researchers, and community members as they discuss funding strategies, policy alignment, and community needs. Through fast-paced case studies, participatory activities, and audience engagement, you’ll walk away more optimistic, with actionable strategies to break down silos and drive meaningful impact in your region.

Speakers
Moderator
  • Ted Lamm, Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, UC Berkeley School of Law, Associate Director
Filling Energy Workforce & Energy Project Pipelines: Cross-Sector Collaboration in the Inland Empire
Presentation Slides

The Inland Regional Energy Network (I-REN) is creating synergies across programs to support equity communities. This session highlights how I-REN is increasing access to local green jobs, satisfying local capacity needs, and completing energy projects at critical community facilities to achieve local and state energy/climate goals. I-REN’s public sector programs help public agencies identify, implement, and fund energy efficiency projects to save energy and money and meet their energy/climate goals. Agencies need resources to achieve these goals, which is especially challenging within the I-REN territory, where the vast majority of public agencies are equity communities. Many I-REN agencies also lack the capacity/expertise to implement energy projects. I-REN’s Energy Fellowship addresses this barrier by placing local Fellows to support energy efficiency project identification, benchmarking, energy action planning, and other sustainability initiatives. Attendees will learn best practices for identifying and implementing energy efficiency projects, cross-sector program collaboration, and synergistic program design.

Speakers
Moderator
  • Lauren Seymour, The Energy Coalition, Assistant Director of Energy Services
Leading Together: Collaborative Climate Planning at the Regional Level
Presentation Slides

Achieving California’s ambitious GHG reduction targets for 2030 and 2045 requires bold, locally driven action through land use authority, project implementation, and ordinances. Most Californians live in metropolitan areas spanning multiple cities and counties, making regional coordination essential for developing and implementing cohesive and equitable strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled, sequester carbon in agricultural lands, and transition to zero-emission fuels and energy. However, aligning jurisdictions with diverse goals, resources, and visions presents its challenges. Recognizing this, the USEPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program funds 10 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) across California to develop regional climate action plans. This interactive panel brings together MSA lead agencies to discuss the challenges and opportunities of regional climate action planning. Panelists will present strategies for building momentum, securing resources, and aligning efforts across jurisdictions, while attendees will share examples of successful regional coordination to inspire and inform local action.

Speakers
  • Victor Briones, County of Ventura CEO Sustainability Division
  • Brianna Moland, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Associate Air Quality Planner/Analyst
  • Jamesine Rogers Gibson, Bay Area Air District, Senior Advanced Projects Advisor
Moderator
  • Ryan Wolfe, Southern California Association of Governments, Manager of Sustainable and Resilient Development
Powering Local Climate Action: Strategies for Collaboration, Workforce, and Decarbonization
Presentation Slides

This session highlights innovative GHG mitigation strategies being employed in rural, mountainous environments. Without these strategies, these regions would likely be left behind in the achievement of an equitable energy transition. Presenters will describe approaches to drive decarbonization and how they can be scaled to other jurisdictions. The Town of Truckee is pioneering building electrification efforts, launching residential & small business initiatives supported by creative funding mechanisms. The Climate Transformation Alliance, a public-private partnership committed to carbon neutrality, will present insights on fostering community buy-in and accelerating mitigation efforts through strategic knowledge exchange. As another approach, Sierra Business Council’s Go Electric Truckee Tahoe program is tackling electrification workforce and market barriers by training contractors and providing coaching for home and building owners. Participants will gain actionable strategies for overcoming electrification and climate mitigation challenges in rural and market-constrained environments. This session will showcase how governments, businesses, and communities can work together to transform climate goals into tangible results.

Speakers
Moderator
Unleashing the All-important Community Microgrid Market Segment
Presentation Slides

Community Microgrids are a critical component of a clean energy future, offering an unparalleled trifecta of economic, environmental, and resilience benefits in the communities where they are deployed. Yet, developing a Community Microgrid in California is no simple endeavor; it requires significant stakeholder facilitation at the local level and favorable statewide policies to get through the process of selecting a site, navigating utility studies, and ensuring the project is economically viable. This panel explores key roadblocks, including technical hurdles, stakeholder coordination, and financial feasibility. Experts will discuss strategies for defining critical infrastructure, engaging local stakeholders, and ensuring fair compensation. Learn how to unlock the full potential of Community Microgrids and accelerate local implementation.

Speakers
Moderator
Better Climate Action Metrics and Storytelling for All: UC Berkeley’s GHG Inventory Tool Demo
Presentation Slides

The CoolClimate Network at UC Berkeley is developing a data platform for GHG inventories and climate action metrics for local governments across California. The project was presented at CCEC 2024 to gather input from participants. In this year’s session, the team will demo the live beta version. The outputs available to cities include traditional and consumption based inventories from 2010-2022. They also feature tangible metrics such as EV registrations with the DMV and heat pumps installed through TECH incentives. These detailed metrics can enable local governments to set concrete targets and tell compelling stories about climate action, benefits, and potential impacts in their communities. Participants will practice applying concepts of effective storytelling from a UC Berkeley School of Journalism fellow as they explore the data available in the tool.

Speakers
Moderator
Growing Resilience: Integrating Natural and Working Lands into Climate Action Planning
Presentation Slides

Natural and working lands are essential for sequestering carbon, reducing climate risks, and supporting local economies—yet they’re often missing from climate action plans. This session will provide a clear roadmap for how local jurisdictions can integrate these landscapes into their climate strategies and secure the funding, partnerships, and technical support needed to act. Speakers—including elected officials, County staff, and technical assistance providers—will share best practices for identifying priority conservation practices, engaging historically underserved farmers and ranchers, and aligning agricultural efforts with climate goals. Attendees will gain practical insights on navigating cross-sector collaboration, securing grants, and implementing high-impact projects that build climate resilience while benefiting rural/agricultural communities and urban areas alike. Whether you’re just starting to explore nature-based solutions or looking to scale existing efforts, this session will provide actionable strategies and interactive breakouts focused on building your local coalition and driving progress, even amid shifting federal priorities.

Speakers
  • Lynda Hopkins, County of Sonoma, Fifth District Supervisor
  • Margot Flynn, Sacramento Valley RCDs, Sacramento Valley Soil Hub Coordinator
  • Heather Nichols, Yolo County Resource Conservation District, Executive Director
Moderator
A New Framework for Energy Programs: Designed by Communities, for Communities
Presentation Slides

This session spotlights the Community-Based Design Collaborative (CBDC), a pioneering initiative launched by SoCalREN and funded by the CPUC, that reimagines how energy programs are designed by centering the voices of communities they aim to serve. Panelists representing community-based organizations across Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties will share lessons from the Collaborative’s first year, including co-creating a scalable framework for equitable, locally tailored energy solutions. With members specializing in public health, transportation, environmental justice, and more, the CBDC reflects vulnerable communities’ rich diversity and expertise. The panel will explore how deep engagement, shared decision-making, and equity-centered design can yield replicable, community-powered programs aligned with state equity goals. Attendees will be invited to participate in interactive discussions that mirror the Collaborative’s design process, offering a dynamic space to share insights, spark innovation, and shape actionable strategies for local climate resilience.

Speakers
  • Brianda Castro, Central California Asthma Collaborative, Climate Equity and Environmental Justice Associate
  • Natalie Espinoza, The Energy Coalition, Program Manager
  • Amy Wong, Active San Gabriel Valley, Program Director
  • Ashley Mercado, Day One, Director of Special Projects
Moderator
Decarb’s Path to the High Road: How to Create Quality Jobs in Residential Building Decarbonization
Presentation Slides

Want to learn how to ensure your climate programs cut GHGs and also create good jobs, advance equity, and build lasting community wealth? Join the Bay Area Residential Decarbonization High Road Training Partnership to explore how local leaders are designing publicly funded programs that create equitable access to quality decarb careers. This session offers actionable labor standards, model procurement tools, and policy levers that ensure decarbonization dollars cost-effectively uplift workers and support disadvantaged contracting businesses. Learn from those doing the work: You’ll hear from four Partnership members who will share real-world lessons and resources for launching holistic, High Road residential decarbonization strategies that center job quality, workforce development, and equity. Attendees will leave the session equipped with the insights, resources, and inspiration to build programs in their own communities that deliver climate resilience and economic justice.

Speakers
  • Jillian Du, Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN), BayREN Single Family EASE Home Program Manager
  • Nik Kaestner, SF Environment
  • Katie Van Dyke, City of Berkeley, Chief Resilience Officer and Climate Action Program Manager
  • Mireille Vargas, City of Hayward, Sustainability Specialist
Moderator
  • Julia Hatton, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, President & CEO
Direct-to-Renter: Locally Grown Energy Equity Solutions for Renters
Presentation Slides

This session will highlight an innovative program piloted in the City of Pomona designed to address the renter equity gap in the clean energy transition. Most programs are designed for homeowners, leaving renters with few options. The Direct-to-Renter program provides no-cost clean energy appliances directly to low-income renter households, improving their resilience, ability to manage high heat, indoor air quality, and energy bills while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The session will share program details and engage the audience’s input in a multi-sectoral discussion of social, health, technology, and policy issues. The panel will include the program’s on-the-ground CBO implementers, the nonprofit that designed the program, and a renter advocacy organization. The audience will learn best practices around outreach, appliances and costs, logistics, and data gathering. The session will also address grid benefits and demand flexibility, wildfire smoke, funding barriers, and program scaling to other regions statewide.

Speakers
Moderator
Energized Communities: Empowering Local Governments to Reimagine a Decarbonized Future
Presentation Slides

Join us for a panel discussion followed by interactive “Think Tank” breakout groups where we will discuss innovative methods to community electrification. Clean Power Alliance (CPA) offers a ground-breaking program called Energized Communities, which supports our local governments in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties as they electrify their buildings, fleets, and communities through pre-set pathways and creative projects. ear directly from local government staff on their bold and actionable solutions to decarbonization challenges with funding support and technical assistance from CPA. Our Think Tank discussions will encourage attendees to self-select into groups by topic to discuss their electrification experiences and challenges with one of our panelists as a guided moderator. The session will be highly interactive, with opportunities for attendees to dialogue with speakers and learn from each other’s experiences. Attendees will leave this session with concrete ideas to support the execution of electrification projects, plus innovative possibilities to consider.

Speakers
  • Ashley Barden, City of Oxnard, Sustainability Analyst
  • Sona Coffee, Clean Power Alliance
  • Reata Kulcsar, City of Carson, Energy and Sustainability Officer
  • Katie Martel, City of Alhambra, Sustainability Analyst
  • Sage Stone, Clean Power Alliance, Program Manager, Transportation Electrification
Moderator
  • Genaro Bugarin, The Energy Coalition, Director of Energy Innovation
Local Governments United: Building a Statewide Advocacy Coalition for Climate Action
Presentation Slides

The urgency of climate change calls for bold, coordinated action at all levels of government. Local governments, are uniquely situated to collaborate on these solutions as they are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, experiencing its impacts firsthand and implementing practical, community-based solutions every day. However, local governments also often lack the capacity or organized approach to engage state representatives effectively, leaving critical opportunities for climate advocacy untapped. This session will focus on building a statewide advocacy coalition of local governments to amplify their collective voice, collaborate with the California legislature, and advance equitable climate solutions.
The ultimate goal of this session is to foster interactive discussions and gauge interest for launching this coalition. Attendees will leave empowered with the knowledge, tools, and potential inclusion in a framework for coalition participation that drives transformative climate policy.

Speakers
  • Marc Costa, The Energy Coalition, Director
  • Lucia Pohlman, City of San Luis Obispo, Sustainability and Natural Resources Analyst
Moderator
  • Alelia Parenteau, City of Santa Barbara, Sustainability & Resilience Director
Resourcing Resilience: Sustaining and Strengthening Community Climate Projects

The landscape of federal climate funding has undergone a dramatic shift, from an unprecedented influx of resources to funding freezes and anticipated cuts. This session, drawing from Resourcing Resilience, a report by Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) and Philanthropy California, will elevate key barriers that California-based community and Tribal practitioners face in accessing public climate funding and implementing and sustaining climate projects. Through insights gathered from interviews with two dozen practitioners, we will present recommendations on responsive actions and strategies for public and private funders. Key themes include investing now, at a time of uncertainty and fear, to strengthen community-led capacity for equitable disaster recovery and climate resilience. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges that California based community organizations and Tribes are facing, as well as strategies to help them navigate this moment. The session will equip attendees with strategies to sustain critical climate investments across California, particularly in historically disinvested communities most vulnerable to climate change, fostering action beyond the session.

Speakers
  • Shasta Gaughen, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Environmental Director
  • Bre Onna Mathis-Perez, Nonprofit Finance Fund, Director, Consulting
  • Hoi-Fei Mok, California Strategic Growth Council, Deputy Director of Equity and Gov Transformation
  • Katerina Oskarsson, Humboldt Area Foundation, Executive in Residence – CORE Hub
Moderator
  • Kirin Kumar, Northern California Grantmakers, Director for Climate and Disaster Resilience

Posters

ACE Your Future: Empowering Youth in Architecture, Construction, and Engineering
Barriers and Potential Solutions for Manufactured Home Electrification
CalHeatScore: California’s New Extreme Heat Ranking System
Catalyzing Community-led Nature-based Solutions for Resilience at a Watershed Scale
Collaborate for Climate: Strengthening Local Action through Community Partnership
Data to Action: Bridging the Gap Between Data Developers and Users Through Collaborative Learning
Empowering Choices: Developing a Platform for Clean Energy Purchasing
Engaging Frontline Communities in the Transition to Induction Cooking
From The Ground Up: Developing A Regional Energy Literacy Program
Reaching Legislators Through Stronger Communications
Reciprocal Community Research: A case study of “Our Communities, Our Bay”, where local leads the way
Regional Partnership for Sustainable and Climate Resilient Schools
Scaling Residential Decarbonization
Yolo Energy Partnerships: Climate Action in Rural Communities

15th Annual CCEC Forum

June 25 – 26, 2024 | Palm Springs, CA
2024 Forum Theme – Collective Innovation: Cultivating Collaboration for Equitable Climate Action

The 15th Annual CCEC Forum will bring together local leaders in energy and climate action for 2-days for in-depth conversations between local and regional governments, and their partners in State agencies, CBOs, NGOs, and private sector service providers. As we celebrate the 15th year of the CCEC Forum, we see that the strong connections and partnerships we’ve fostered together have provided us with the pivotal opportunity to cultivate our climate action toward its full potential right now. Integrating our 2024 theme of “Collective Innovation: Cultivating Collaboration for Equitable Climate Action”, we will explore innovative ideas and best practices for collaboration, increasing accessibility for disadvantaged communities, and implementing climate action across sectors.

View the Program

Plenaries

State of Climate and Energy in California in 2024

At the opening plenary of the 15th Annual California Climate and Energy Forum, we explored the innovation and collaboration essential for equitable climate action. We began with an overview of California’s climate and energy landscape for 2024, setting the stage for two days of immersive learning. The session examined key policies, trends, and opportunities in state and federal contexts, with timely updates for local governments. State and federal leaders shared insights on progress toward climate goals, challenges, and emerging opportunities for a carbon-free, climate-resilient future, paving the way for collaborative solutions benefiting all Californians.

  • Rose Dady | Director of Community Engagement, US Department of Energy
  • Commissioner Darcie Houck | California Public Utilities Commission
  • Commissioner Noemi Gallardo | California Energy Commission
  • Samuel Assefa | Director, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
  • Moderator: Angie Hacker | Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, California Climate & Energy Collaborative (CCEC)

Uniting Forces: The Inland Empire’s Approach to Energy and Climate Challenges

We held a session focused on the energy and climate landscape of the Inland Empire. Local and regional leaders shared their visions, stories, and strategies for addressing clean energy adoption, emission reductions, equity, and environmental justice. Through candid conversations, speakers discussed their progress and obstacles, highlighting innovative approaches and collaborative efforts driving change in the region. Participants gained valuable insights into how unified action can pave the way for a more sustainable future in the Inland Empire.

  • Casey Dailey | Director of Energy & Environment, Western Riverside Council of Governments
  • Juliann Emmons Allison | Associate Professor, Director of Sustainability, UC Riverside
  • Silvia Paz| Executive Director, Alianza Coachella Valley
  • Karen Woodard | Realty/Planning Administrator, Morongo Band of Mission Indians
  • Moderator: Karina Camacho | Senior Analyst, I-REN
Cultivating Collaboration for Equitable Climate Adaptation

To close out the forum, we focused on the theme “Cultivating Collaboration for Equitable Climate Action.” Effective climate action must prioritize the needs of the communities most affected by climate change, requiring new means of collaboration for greater impact. Partnerships across industries, sectors, and communities are essential for accessing state and federal funding and driving impactful climate efforts. In the closing plenary, speakers from the private sector, non-profit organizations, state agencies, and local governments discussed their collaborative efforts to achieve climate and energy goals.

  • Donnel Baird | CEO, BlocPower
  • Courtney Blore Kalashian| Executive Director, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization
  • Lujuana Medina | Environmental Initiatives Division Manager, County of Los Angeles
  • Moderator: Emi Wang| Director for Capacity Building, The Greenlining Institute

Breakouts

A Call to Invest in Community Power: Lessons Learned From California Climate Investments and the Community Solar Pilot
Presentation Slides

Since 2013, California Climate Investments (CCI) have implemented over $11B for projects ranging from clean energy and electric vehicles, to affordable housing and alternative fuel production. What have been the outcomes of these investments and what lessons can be learned? We will share findings from equity analysis of CCI co-produced by the Greenlining Institute and the USC Equity Research Institute. The session will spotlight one case study in particular, on the Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) Community Solar Pilot, which produced the first publicly-funded community solar project on Tribal lands in California. Through a partnership between the Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians, Anza Electric Cooperative, and GRID Alternatives, the project created a 994-kilowatt system that is providing energy and benefits to ~200 households. The session will share lessons learned on effective partnerships and centering community participation, particularly as funding for projects in low-income, rural, and tribal communities continue to be implemented.

  • Lisa Castilone | Director of Tribal Programs, Grid Alternatives, Inland Empire
  • Steven Estrada | Tribal Chairman, Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians
  • Austin Mendoza | Data Analyst, USC Equity Research Institute
  • Kevin Short | General Manager, Anza Electric Cooperative
  • Moderator: Lolly Lim | Program Manager of Climate Investments, Greenlining Institute
Equity and Community Engagement Considerations for Gas Decommissioning
Presentation Slides

Join Gridworks, Ava Community Energy, and the City of Albany to learn how local governments can support electrification to prepare neighborhoods for gas decommissioning. Gridworks and Ava Community Energy will share the results of their California Energy Commission (CEC) funded research exploring how targeted building electrification paired with tactical gas decommissioning can provide net gas system savings while promoting equity and meeting the needs of local communities. The research daylights the priorities and concerns of residents regarding electrification and offers recommendations for project implementation. The City of Albany received funding from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program for their pilot to electrify all buildings on a city block. The City is prioritizing community education and engagement to overcome implementation barriers identified in the CEC research project. The City will share their goals for the pilot, results thus far, and any lessons learned along the way.

  • Allison Lopez | Sr. Energy Efficiency Analyst, Ava Community Energy
  • Michelle Plouse | Community Development Analyst, City of Albany
  • Moderator: Neha Bazaj | Director, California & Hawaii, Gridworks
We’re All in this Together: Building People Power to Achieve Collective Climate Impact

Transitioning to clean energy and building climate resilience are complex challenges that cannot be solved in silos. We need a variety of perspectives, skillsets, and constituencies to tackle climate change and foment a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient future. A growing number of state and federal grant programs are requiring cross-sectoral cooperation and robust partnerships, which leaves those without strong community relationships at a disadvantage. Yet meaningful collaboration is not easy, especially for organizations that are under-staffed, with limited time to build partnerships. This session will uplift successful examples of robust climate collaboration in California, providing practical insights into how these efforts were able to gain momentum and access funding. The speakers will also share useful tips for practitioners who are struggling to get meaningful partnerships off the ground. The session will be highly interactive, with opportunities for attendees to dialogue with speakers and learn from each other’s experiences.

  • Karalee Brown | Assistant Executive Director, Institute for Local Government
  • Emi Wang | Director for Capacity Building, The Greenlining Institute
  • Wilma Franco | Executive Director, SELA Collaborative
  • Ian Gabriel | Director of Data, Policy & Planning, Lift to Rise
  • Moderator: Ena Lupine | Program Manager, Community Assistance for Climate Equity, Strategic Growth Council
Your Past. Their Present. Our Future
Presentation Slides

Join us for an insightful break-out session on the critical role of workforce development in advancing energy efficiency initiatives within municipalities across California.  With cities striving to fulfill energy efficiency projects and meet local and statewide energy targets, the need for a skilled workforce has never been more pressing. Come and learn how a new partnership, between CivicSpark and I-REN, has opened up the opportunity for 52 municipalities across Riverside and San Bernardino counties, to receive the energy staffing support they have historically not been able to receive, while also keeping the local talent local.  Learn about how this partnership, which is replicable anywhere, resulted in a 450% increase in participation of an energy fellowship in a subregion where energy is normally not seen as a top priority.  This session will include discussion from past and present fellows and a City whose existing fellowship support is providing future benefits.

  • Parker Friederich | I-REN Fellow, City of Canyon Lake
  • Jarrod Manuel | Capital Projects and Facilities Superintendent, City of Chino Hills
  • Kate Rathbun | Program Manager, Frontier Energy, I-REN
  • Moderator: Tyler Masters | Program Manager, I-REN/WRCOG
Bringing the Heat: A Year of Heat Pump Water Heaters
Presentation Slides

This session will take participants on a behind-the-scenes journey of a 2023 heat pump water heater (HPWH) initiative designed to help agencies through HPWH procurement and installation assistance and rebates for either 80% or 100% of eligible project costs. We will highlight the teamwork and coordination as we identified the need for HPWH technology, conducted community outreach, supported procurement and installation, identified complementary funding support through TECH Clean California, and completed program reporting. The presentation will conclude with program successes, lessons learned, and sharing what is next for the HPWH initiative. Attendees will leave the session with a blueprint for collaborating with partners on program design and will have a deeper understanding of the benefits of HPWHs. The HPWH initiative is an offering of Southern California Regional Energy Network’s (SoCalREN) incentive program. The incentive program (launched in 2022) helps public agencies achieve long-term energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Code Bruder | Senior Technical Program Manager, The Energy Coalition
  • Fernanda Craig | Regulatory, Policy and Reporting Lead, Los Angeles County
  • Victor Ferrer | General Manager/Principal Analyst, City of Pico Rivera
  • Moderator: Alina Bonto | Project Manager, SoCalREN (The Energy Coalition)
Climate Planning Perspectives from the Original Stewards of the Land

During this panel, three Tribes in the San Diego region will discuss their unique experiences as they each developed priority and comprehensive climate action plans funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. The Tribes are the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, the Pala Band of Mission Indians, and the Jamul Indian Village. Their climate action plans will help improve Tribal quality of life and create a healthy environment for future generations. This session will highlight barriers and challenges faced by each Tribe, community engagement activities, implementation projects the Tribes plan to move forward with, the estimated community and climate impacts of these activities, and best practices and lessons learned. Session attendees will also learn about the potential for partnerships as the Tribes plan for the implementation of the projects identified in their priority climate action plans.

  • Syndi Smallwood | Environmental Director, Jamul Indian Village of California
  • Moderator: Lauri Walker | Director, Equity Engagement, Center for Sustainable Energy
Connecting Federal Funders, Developers, and Communities through Virtual Power Plants
Presentation Slides

In April 2024, the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) entered an agreement with King Energy to leverage federal funding through the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office to implement Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) as Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) at sites and facilities supported by SGC-member programs. Through this effort, SGC seeks to enhance site- and grid-level energy resilience while extending benefits such as reduced energy costs and rental income to participating entities and their communities. In this session, the SGC and its implementing partners will provide an applied overview of its effort to connect communities to federal funding opportunities through virtual power plants. An opening presentation will focus on specific strategies SGC and its partners have employed to access and utilize federal funding opportunities for community benefit. In the breakout discussion, participants will share project proposals and engage in cross-sectoral dialog to identify funding and project deployment opportunities.

  • Yakov Feygin | Director of Public Finance, Center for Public Enterprise
  • Jared Genova| Senior Planner, Civix
  • Jared Snelson | Enterprise Account Executive, King Energy
  • Moderator: Sean Kennedy | Deputy Director of Energy Investments, Strategic Growth Council
Driving the Future: Collaborative Strategies for Equitable EV Infrastructure & Workforce Empowerment

In the face of climate change and the urgent need for sustainable transportation solutions, expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is a pivotal challenge. This panel discussion will explore a holistic approach to building a nationwide model for EV charging infrastructure, emphasizing equity, workforce development, and innovative financing. By sharing insights from our collaborative efforts starting in California involving public and private entities, we aim to shed light on high-level strategies that address infrastructure development’s technical and financial aspects and ensure inclusivity and accessibility. Our discussion will provide a roadmap for other regions and stakeholders interested in fostering similar partnerships, highlighting the potential for creating resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities through shared visions and goals.

  • Donnel Baird | CEO, BlocPower
  • Lujuana Medina| Energy Initiatives Division Manager, County of Los Angeles
  • Ben Stapleton | Executive Dictor, USGBC California
  • Moderator: Ariel Fan | Founder and CEO, GreenWealth Energy
Building Capacity Through Contractor Development Programs
Presentation Slides

Contractor Development Programs (CDPs) have been designed to increase the capabilities and capacity of small, local, diverse, and disadvantaged contractors through the various services they provide. When barriers are removed, contractors are given the opportunity to participate in meaningful public construction projects. It has been proven that contractors can be highly successful when provided with the right tools, support, and guidance. In addition, when public agencies require the utilization of small, local, diverse, and disadvantaged firms on their projects, it can be a win-win for all. As businesses grow their capacity, they transition into a position to hire from their communities, becoming a catalyst for workforce development. In this interactive workshop, we will use real-life challenges and barriers contractors face and together we will create solutions for a comprehensive Contractor Development Program Plan in which participants can take back to their respective marketplaces and implement with support from local implementors.

  • Shanette Anderson | Senior Program Manager, Emerald Cities Collaborative
  • Anabel Barragan | Construction and Labor Relations Specialist, Touchstone Project Solutions
  • Maria Quiroz | Program Manager, City of San Diego
  • Kevin Ramsey | President, Alameda Construction Services, Inc.
  • Veronica Soto | Senior Advisor for Workforce Development and Economic Impacts, Los Angeles World Airports
  • Moderator: Traci Watson | Vice President, Alameda Construction Services, Inc.
Climate Action Planning Tools: Empowering Equitable Transitions for CA Communities

The CoolClimate Network at UC Berkeley is developing a new set of tools for local government climate action. Participants in this workshop session will learn about the project, which aims to develop GHG inventories for every California local government along with planning tools that take into account equity and other non-GHG benefits that are critical for informed policymaking. Through a moderated discussion focusing on local government needs, participants will be invited to provide input to shape the tools that will be publicly available in 2025. The workshop speakers will share their reflections on the state of climate action planning based on their progress to date on this project, and welcome participants to also share their observations and insights about the future of the practice.

  • Twilight Greenaway, Climate Writer/Editor, UC Berkeley School of Journalism
  • Kim Springer, Transportation Systems Coordinator, County of San Mateo
  • Amaury Berteaud, Sustainability Program Manager, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
  • Moderator: Christopher Jones, Director, CoolClimate Network
Empowering Local Governments to Tackle Decarbonization with Escalating Energy Rates
Presentation Slides

In 2022, building decarbonization saw progress with record-high solar installations and supportive policies like the Inflation Reduction Act. Yet, challenges arose with soaring electricity rates, plummeting solar installations, and widespread unemployment among solar contractors. Despite these hurdles, decarbonization remains vital amidst rising gas costs and environmental concerns. This session aims to empower participants to address electricity affordability in their communities. We’ll explore reasons for price hikes, strategies for affording electrification, and actions to mitigate customer energy costs. Additionally, we’ll have a group discussion on how collective power can be harnessed to drive change, hearing insights from entities like the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition, RENs as well as local governments on advocacy options and program design to tackle rising costs. Participants will engage in group discussions on affording electrification, curbing energy costs and collective advocacy. Join us as we navigate the complexities of energy affordability.

  • Marc Costa | Director of Policy & Planning, The Energy Coalition
  • Jane Elias | Director, Energy Programs, BayREN
  • Lucia Pohlman | Sustainability Analyst, City of San Luis Obispo
  • Annie Secrest | Energy and Water Coordinator, County of San Luis Obispo
  • Moderator: Steven Moss | Partner, M.Cubed
Jumpstart Workshop: Scaling Equitable Transition to All-Electric Neighborhoods
Presentation Slides

Local governments are tasked with achieving aggressive climate goals, and one of the key areas to address is our building stock and making homes all electric and efficient. Local governments are called to do so responsibly without displacing or burdening communities that have historically been underserved. This workshop will explore barriers and opportunities to electrify neighborhoods equitably through a collaborative and interactive workshop. Local government and community-based organization collaboration is the first step in approaching building decarb equitably. Staff from San Mateo and Contra Costa Counties along with local community-based organizations, El Concilio and South Coast Sustainable, will introduce the session, and present their work and vision for equitable neighborhood electrification in two very different neighborhood contexts. The remainder of the workshop will be dedicated to small group and whole group dialogue about opportunities, barriers, and pathways forward.

  • Aurelio Huizar | Program Manager, El Concilio of San Mateo County
  • Jody London | Sustainability Coordinator, Contra Costa County
  • Alero Moju | Sustainability Specialist, County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability
  • Irma Rodriguez Mitton | Executive Director, South Coast Sustainable
  • Susan Wright | Program Manager, San Mateo County Sustainability Department
  • Moderator: Avana Andrade | Senior Sustainability Specialist, San Mateo County Sustainability Department
Charging Forward: Collaborating Towards and Equitable Clean Energy Transition
Presentation Slides

An Investor-Owned Utility, a faith-based community development corporation empowering Black communities, an energy-focused nonprofit in rural Central California, and other community-minded organizations gather. Southern California Edison has convened diverse community-based organizations for the Clean Energy Access Working Group. Environmental, faith-based, and vulnerable population leaders participate, ensuring comprehensive dialogue and consideration of community concerns for future energy policies. The group exchanges best practices and prioritizes outreach to diverse populations. Their community improvement efforts extend beyond volunteerism, focusing on tangible project development and implementation. A web-based platform offers educational resources, fostering connection and inspiring action. This panel showcases practical examples of multi-sector collaboration, demonstrating how it enhances community well-being.

  • Anuj Desai | Senior Advisor, Southern California Edison
  • Frank Jackson | Chairman & CEO, Village Solutions Foundation
  • Courtney Blore Kalashian | Executive Director, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization
  • Moderator: Pam Close Bold | Executive Director, High Sierra Energy Foundation
Equity Guardrails for an Emerging California Hydrogen Market
Presentation Slides

Implementing a full-fledged hydrogen system in California will take considerable investments that could fall back on ratepayers, perpetuate pollution in environmental justice communities, and coopt necessary energy and water resources from Californians. These are top-of-mind concerns for communities who have experienced these impacts before and are calling for the state not to repeat the energy system’s history of profit over people and planet. Hydrogen should only be produced and deployed where it is an affordable climate solution with environmental and equity guardrails that ensure the financial and emissions burden does not land on those who can least afford it. Join our session to hear from environmental justice, equity, and community-based organizations about the impacts and guardrails needed for the emerging hydrogen industry in California. It is time for communities to lead the way on hydrogen for California’s just transition to clean energy.

  • Nile Malloy | Climate Justice Director, California Environmental Justice Alliance
  • Jay Parepally | Federal Climate Justice Legal Fellow, Communities for a Better Environment
  • Michael Rincon | Research and Policy Manager, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles
  • Moderator: Fatima Abdul-Khabir | Senior Program Manager of Energy Equity, The Greenlining Institute
Making Metered Energy Savings Program Work for Your Community
Presentation Slides

Are metered energy savings programs working in California? Do the programs successfully serve their target populations? Four program administrators will discuss the challenges and successes in implementing residential and commercial metered energy savings programs in their communities. Speakers will address questions surrounding equity and serving hard-to-reach customers, incentive design, workforce development, achieving electrification goals, reducing peak load, and driving comprehensive upgrades. Join the session to discuss findings from these regional  programs, the broader state context for the shift to metered energy savings programs, and their future role in supporting the state’s energy efficiency and electrification goals.

  • Cara Bautista-Rao | Senior Energy Specialist, San Francisco Environment Department
  • Peter Levitt | Manager, DER Programs, Peninsula Clean Energy
  • Alex Valenti | Manager of Customer Programs, Marin Clean Energy
  • Moderator: April Price | Energy Portfolio Manager, 3C-REN/County of Santa Barbara
Panoramic Policymaking: Equitable Community Engagement for Existing Building Decarbonization

Join us for an insightful break-out session on the critical role of workforce development in advancing energy efficiency initiatives within municipalities across California.  With cities striving to fulfill energy efficiency projects and meet local and statewide energy targets, the need for a skilled workforce has never been more pressing. Come and learn how a new partnership, between CivicSpark and I-REN, has opened up the opportunity for 52 municipalities across Riverside and San Bernardino counties, to receive the energy staffing support they have historically not been able to receive, while also keeping the local talent local.  Learn about how this partnership, which is replicable anywhere, resulted in a 450% increase in participation of an energy fellowship in a subregion where energy is normally not seen as a top priority.  This session will include discussion from past and present fellows and a City whose existing fellowship support is providing future benefits.

  • Christian Cruz | Senior Community Outreach Manager, Clean Power Alliance
  • Chelsea Kirk | Director of Policy and Advocacy, Strategic Actions for a Just Economy
  • Nico Predock | Sustainability Analyst, City of Santa Monica
  • Moderator: Mayra Vega | Senior Project Manager, TRC

Posters

A Learning Continuum – Engaging students in energy education from fourth grade to post high school
Presentation Slides
Building, Connecting, and Unifying Towards Sustainable Healthcare Practices
Presentation Slides
Decarb Healthcare: THE Living Guidebook Decarbonizing Healthcare and Beyond!
Presentation Slides
Found in Translation: How Partner-Led Facility Inventories Became Energy-Saving Opportunities
Presentation Slides
Harnessing Time: Using an Hourly Method to Estimate the GHG Impacts of Policies in the Electricity Sector
Presentation Slides
Leveraging Partnership and Creative Funding for Santa Barbara’s Energy Projects
Presentation Slides

14th Annual CCEC Forum

June 13 – 14, 2023 | Santa Rosa, CA
2023 Forum Theme – Investment, Innovation, and Inclusion: Locals Leading a Clean Energy, Climate-Stable Future for All

The CCEC Forum brings together leaders in local energy and climate action for a two-day event featuring in-depth conversations with local and regional governments and their partners in State agencies, CBOs, NGOs, and private sector service providers. This year marks our 14th Annual Forum and a pivotal opportunity to build upon State and federal momentum to innovate and collaborate towards a clean energy, climate stable future for all. Participate in a focused agenda that builds upon the 2022 theme of Accelerating Climate Action & Advancing Justice. We will explore local practices and timely topics, such as ensuring the recent windfall of policy investments are used to foster lasting impact and help address the most pressing local emissions and energy resiliency needs in an inclusive and culturally competent way.

2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Existing Building Electrification: A Message of Hope and Action

We bring a message of hope. Hope that electrifying existing buildings is possible when led by local leaders and decision makers like you. Panelists will cover the California Scoping plan and roadmap to zero emissions, code, programs focused on electrification, and innovative actions local government and community-based organizations are taking. Panelists will integrate equity and environmental justice, while exploring opportunities and partnerships that provide the path to zero that we are reaching for.  

Attendee participation will be encouraged. We will provide a space for the panelists and participants to discuss current state policy, regionalized resources, lessons learned and tools/mechanisms to advance local building electrification priorities. Participants will leave the session with a better understanding of California’s scoping plan, how code will be integrated, program opportunities, and community level strategies that promote innovation and investment.

Speakers

  • Lou Jacobson, Willdan, Director
  • Vivan Malkani, Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc., Senior Consultant
  • Jordan Garbayo, County of San Luis Obispo, Energy Program Manager
  • Jaime Alonso, GRID Alternatives Inland Empire, Executive Director
  • Rochelle Butler, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization, Energy Manager
  • Lindsey Tillisch, Pacific Gas & Electric
Event Date: 06/14/2023
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Environmental Justice
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Designing the Right Building Performance Standards for Your City

All-electric building codes are decarbonizing new buildings throughout the state, but the majority of emissions come from existing buildings. Implementing Building Performance Standards (BPS) is an important strategy to cut emissions by targeting the largest polluters. BPS policies help building managers and owners identify inefficiencies and require performance improvements over time. This session will explore lessons learned from cities with experience developing and implementing BPS policies and allow participants to co-create equitable and effective policies for a range of city sizes and characteristics.

Representatives from the cities of Santa Monica, Berkeley, and San Diego will provide an overview of BPS policies in place and under development. Participants will split into breakout groups to design BPS policies based on the characteristics of the city presented at their table and consider companion policies to address any foreseeable consequences on underserved communities and stakeholders.

Speakers

  • Ariana Vito, City of Santa Monica, Senior Sustainability Analyst
  • Shelby Buso, City of San Diego, Chief Sustainability Officer
  • Ammon Reagan, City of Berkeley, Sustainability Program Coordinator
Event Date: 06/14/2023
Region: Greater Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Unlocking Electrification Opportunities in Southern California’s Multifamily Housing Market

Event Date: 6/13/2023
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Nonprofit, Residential
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

California Energy Design Assistance: K-12 Carbon Footprint

Event Date: 6/13/2023
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Electrification and Permitting: It’s Complicated!

Event Date: 6/13/2023
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Building Resilience – Efficiency’s Role in Decarbonization at Home

Event Date: 6/13/2023
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

How the California Energy Storage Permitting Guidebook is Accelerating Adoption of Customer-Side Energy Storage Systems

Event Date: 6/13/2023
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Competition, Recognition, and Innovation: What Really Motivates Participation?

Event Date: 6/13/2013
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Topic Areas: Outreach and Engagement
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Grassroots Community Carbon Conversations: An Important Ingredient toward Achieving Community Decarbonization Goals

Event Date: 6/13/2023
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Nonprofit
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Outreach and Engagement
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Zero Emission Fleet Transition: Roadmap

Event Date: 06/13/2023
Region: San Diego
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Rural Building Decarbonization Readiness and Resiliency: Vulnerabilities, Solutions, Barriers and Successes

This session will bring together varied perspectives on the experiences of rural Californians in their quest to decarbonize and build resiliency for their communities. Panelists will present how they’re working to overcome challenges, highlight innovative projects, identify barriers that exclude participation in funding opportunities and programs, and make recommendations on how to alleviate obstacles to provide greater opportunities to impact their communities.

Many rural communities are faced with extreme weather and their remote nature amplifies the needs for resiliency and their lack of resources, especially in light of goals to rapidly decarbonize building stock and address transportation needs. This panel will highlight programs and projects that will help deliver an equitable and clean energy future for rural Californians.

Speakers

  • Pam Close Bold, High Sierra Energy Foundation, Executive Director
  • Lou Jacobson, Willdan, Director
  • Stephen Kullmann, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Director for Demand Side Management
  • Meredith Anderson, Sierra Business Council, Climate and Energy Project Manager
  • Amaury Berteaud, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, Sustainability Program Manager
Event Date: 06/14/2023
Region: Central Coast, North Coast, Sierra Nevada
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Residential
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Environmental Justice
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Organize, Fund, Act – Sonoma County Government Collaboration for Climate Solutions

In 2001, local climate activists launched a campaign to mobilize Sonoma County governments to fight climate change. This initiative created an innovative partnership that produced countywide greenhouse gas inventories, climate targets, and climate action plans; started a local community choice energy utility; and, in 2009, founded the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA). RCPA facilitates collaboration among Sonoma County’s local governments, helps set goals, pools resources, formalizes partnerships, and works across policy areas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resiliency. RCPA became California’s first Climate Resilience District with the passage of SB 852 in 2022. The purpose of the session is to share Sonoma County’s successful model of local government collaboration on climate, learn about RCPA’s work to develop new sources of local funding for climate action centered in environmental justice, and explore how collaborative models like RCPA’s could help other regions achieve their climate goals.

Speakers

  • Tanya Narath, Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority, Director of Climate Programs
  • Suzanne Smith, Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority, Executive Director
  • Tasha Wright, Santa Rosa Water, Energy and Sustainability Coordinator
  • Eris Weaver, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, Executive Director
Event Date: 06/14/2023
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Partnerships
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Call to Action: Let’s Build Climate Equity through Regenerative Economics

A moderated Solutions Room panel exemplifying local leaders in the area of climate equity that promote a regenerative economic framework. Our solutions room will be organized in a sacred circle. We will hear from panelists about their good work projects, ask critical questions of all participants, facilitate break out groups, and close with a call to action. We will focus on understanding basic principles of regenerative (circular) economic frameworks, and how it can be developed across climate and energy industries to improve BIPOC career pathways, improve public health outcomes and build economic stability for climate impacted communities. All panelists and participants will have an opportunity to share their vision for creating climate equity and economic justice during an unprecedented time in climate equity funding.

Speakers

  • Anita Lopez, California Eco Network, Co-Founder
  • Yvette Marí Robles, Pathfinder Wellcare, Curandera
  • Dominic Allamano, Urban Agroforester
  • Teresa Almaguer, PODER, Environmental Justice Organizer
  • Sister Maria A. Muhammad, I Am Green, CEO
  • Fatima Malik, Del Paso Heights Growers’ Alliance, Lead Organizer
Event Date: 06/14/2023
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Nonprofit
Topic Areas: Environmental Justice, Public Health, Workforce Development
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Electrify Everything (Except for …): Understanding Reach Code Exemptions

An important and often overlooked part of a reach code is the exemptions. Exemptions can be put in place for a variety of reasons, ranging from recognizing situations where reach code requirements are not feasible to political concessions needed to enact a reach code. As such, exemptions can help a reach code to work smoothly and avoid unintended consequences but can also provide a loophole for those who don’t want to comply. In addition, exemptions can be specific (does not include pools) or general (anything that is not feasible).

Although many jurisdictions have adopted reach codes to require all-electric new construction projects, decarbonizing existing buildings is critical to achieving local, state, and federal emissions reductions goals. The variety of buildings, construction methods, site features, and infrastructure in existing buildings can present implementation challenges for some projects that require special consideration, sometimes warranting an exemption from the reach code requirements. Common challenges include funding limitations for permit applicants, a potentially undesirable impact to local industry, technical/technology-related issues (no commercially available replacement), or site-related constraints (no suitable location for equipment). This session will delve into the options and trade-offs involved in developing and enforcing reach code exemptions that address these challenges while preserving benefits. In addition to introductory presentations, we will use role-playing, audience participation, and facilitated group discussion to engage attendees with the key issues. The session will enable attendees to better understand the options and issues related to exemptions as well as the perspectives and constraints of key stakeholders.

Speakers

  • Misti Bruceri, Misti Bruceri and Associates, LLC, Principal
  • Katen Kristiansson, BayREN, Codes and Standards Program Manager
  • Lawrence Garber, Building Decarbonization Coalition, Local Government Associate
  • Greg Mahoney, County of Sacramento, Chief Building Official
  • Bill Kelley, County of Marin, Deputy Director of Building and Safety
Event Date: 06/14/2023
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Achieving Equitable Decarbonization: Lessons from International Local Government Perspective

With state and federal imperatives to decarbonize through electrification in the midst of steadily rising electricity rates, local governments are being looked to as critical change agents. The panel will discuss how California is not alone in struggling to address climate change, outline a series of roles local governments could take to help lead the way, and discuss a possible high distributed energy resources future. The session will culminate with a discussion on the best role for local governments, and how the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition is supporting equal decarbonization. Topics include European Union directives for smart local energy markets, California regulatory opportunities, local resilience and decentralized energy, and perspectives from a local elected official on the path forward. 

Speakers

  • Marc Costa, The Energy Coalition, Director of Policy and Planning
  • Steven Moss, M. Cubed, Partner
  • Arlis Reynolds, City of Costa Mesa, Councilmember
  • Lorenzo Kristov, PhD, Independent Consultant
Event Date: 06/14/2023
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Distributed Energy Resources, Partnerships
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Consult a CBO: Tips for Collaborating on Climate Investments

Join us for an engaging and interactive Q&A session on how local governments and program administrators can effectively engage with community-based organizations (CBOs) to develop more inclusive and impactful policies, programs and outreach. CBOs serve as a critical link between government, program administrators and the community, providing valuable insights and feedback to inform decision-making processes.

This session will explore best practices and lessons learned for building strong partnerships with CBOs, including strategies for effective communication, collaboration, and capacity building. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from experts in the field and engage in discussions on topics such as identifying and leveraging the strengths of CBOs, fostering trust and mutual understanding, and measuring the impact of CBO, local governments and program administrators  partnerships.

Whether you are a local government representative, program funder, a CBO leader, or simply interested in community engagement, this session will provide valuable insights and practical guidance for achieving meaningful and sustainable outcomes through effective partnerships.

Speakers

  • Maggie Singleton, Center for Sustainable Energy, Equity Associate Manager
  • Vivian Rahwanji, Community Housing Development Corporation, Director of Operations
  • Kevin Hamilton, Central California Asthma Collaborative, Executive Director
Event Date: 06/14/2023
Region: San Francisco Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Let’s Co-Create a Roadmap to Equitably Retrofit Buildings!

You already have a foolproof building retrofit strategy for aligning federal, state, and regional resources to achieve your climate goals and deliver equitable community benefit, right? Wait, you don’t!? Well, then… let’s get together for 75 minutes to work on this problem together! We’ll start with brief overview presentations from the Building Decarbonization Coalition, City of Berkeley, and City of San Luis Obispo. Then we’ll break into small groups facilitated by staff from Central Coast Community Energy, The Switch is On, 3C-REN, Building Decarbonization Coalition and the cities of San Luis Obispo and Berkeley to develop programs for the fictional City of Heatpumptopia. By the end of the session, you’ll learn important program design considerations from your peers, make new connections, and head home inspired and ready to get to work on your own programs. 

Speakers

  • Lucia Pohlman, County of San Luis Obispo, Sustainability and Natural Resources Analyst
  • Panama Bartholomy, Building Decarbonization Coalition, Director
  • Rebecca Milliken, City of Berkeley, Sustainability Outreach Specialist
Event Date: 06/14/2023
Region: Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Navigating Parallel Universes: Why Translation Alone Isn’t Enough

How do you conduct effective outreach to communities where English is a second language? Engaging thoughtfully with these communities requires an understanding of their unique institutions, norms, and information networks, which is often not represented in traditional communication resources. Diving in deeper, the way people receive information, who they trust, and how they take action can vary widely even within sub-groups of populations that speak the same language.

In this session, BayREN will share insights on how to effectively engage with communities where English is a second language. We will discuss our successes, failures, and lessons learned in our experiences working with a range of communities and discuss how our process entails collaboration with our own mothers to internationally recognized celebrities.

Speakers

  • Jennifer West, Program Manager, StopWaste
  • Jeffery Liang, BayREN, Single Family Program Manager
  • Yeymi Rivas Reyes, BayREN, Communications Coordinator
  • Tonya Veitch, County of Santa Clara, Senior Sustainability Analyst
Event Date: 06/14/2023
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Topic Areas: Outreach and Engagement
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

California Public Agency Fleet Electrification Funding and Challenges

In this session, Prospect Silicon Valley will highlight the efforts of several City Governments to electrify their vehicle fleets. Speakers will cover planning challenges including funding programs, charging infrastructure, and organizational change from senior executives to departmental vehicle users.

Speakers

  • Ilse Villacorta-Alatriste, ProspectSV, Senior Project Associate
  • Toto Vu-Duc, City of Watsonville, Senior Environmental Projects Analyst
  • Hilary Ego, City of La Mesa, Environmental Program Manager
Event Date: 06/14/2023
Region: Central Coast, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Upsizing Electrification Potential, Not Panels: Addressing Barrier of Panel Upgrades

For many homes the electrical transformation does not need to be as daunting as is commonly thought. They will understand that many homes are capable of transitioning away from gas appliances without electrical service upsizing and be provided the tools and strategies to minimize the need to upsize electrical panels. We will share a suite of existing technologies and strategies that work within the constraints of existing panel capacity, including ‘watt-diet’, circuit sharing, low wattage appliances, and whole building controls among other options. We will also discuss electrification plans to provide options and alternatives to specific scenarios that a homeowner, contractor or utility needs to address to avoid panel upsizing as much as possible. Last, attendees will learn how policy changes and program design can drive a better-optimized approach to panels and service upsizing, as well as, how to employ limited finances, time, and services effectively and equitably across communities.

Speakers

  • Jenny Low, Build It Green, Program Manager
  • Abhijeet Pande, TRC, Vice President for Research and Technology Commercialization
  • Laura Feinstein, SPUR, Sustainability and Resilience Policy Director
  • Emily Alvarez, StopWaste, Program Manager
Event Date: 06/13/2023
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

The Future of Virtual Power Plants: Empowering Underserved Communities

Sarah Delisle, Vice President, Government Affairs & Communications of Swell Energy; Ed Hamzawi, Director, Advanced Energy Solutions of Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD); and Achini Bandara, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships at GRID Alternatives North Valley will discuss how aggregating distributed energy resources en masse in the form of a virtual power plant (VPP) lowers the cost of ownership for consumers and helps utilities manage demand while increasing individual reliability and resilience across the electric grid. They will demonstrate how Swell is working to help SMUD deliver on its 2030 Zero Carbon Plan to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from its power supply, including how the success of programs like SMUD’s My Energy Optimizer Partner+ is based not only on total enrollment but also on the additional job opportunities created for local installers, new revenue opportunities, and grid resilience benefits, as well as the socially equitable impacts of these programs.

Speakers

  • Sarah Delisle, Swell Energy, Vice President for Government Affairs and Communications
  • Ed Hamzawi, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Advanced Energy Solutions Director
  • Achini Bandara, GRID Alternatives North Valley, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships
Event Date: 06/13/2023
Region: Sacramento Valley
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Building Local Resilience Models – BayREN Resilient Libraries Network Pilot

The BayREN Resilient Libraries Network seeks to develop a network of local libraries to also function as Community Resilience Centers. Libraries play critical roles especially for disadvantaged communities. Six sites were selected. BayREN is providing engineering technical assistance for each site to assess necessary upgrades to improve energy efficiency and provide access to cooling, heating, and clean air and potential for battery back-up and storage. Pilot participants will be matched with funding and financing experts to provide tailored guidance to identify relevant funding sources for both CRC building upgrades and the specific programming and services that each site intends to provide to their communities year-round. Pilot participants who will share current challenges and lessons learned from their work to build a CRC based on community needs. Information about how the pilot is funded, how BayREN is working with partners and how this pilot could be replicated will be provided.

Speakers

  • Jenny Berg, BayREN, Energy Section Director
  • Aleka Seville, Collective Strategies Consulting, LLC, Founder and Principal
  • Nick Kordesch, City of Oakland, Energy Program Manager
  • Veronika Cole, City of Oakland, Resilient Communities Analyst
  • Laura Wong, County of San Mateo, Sustainability Coordinator
Event Date: 06/13/2023
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Catch Them Early – Educating Los Angeles’ Youth about Opportunities in the Green Economy

In March of 2023 SoCalREN held a Future Green Leaders Summit to build awareness about different career pathways in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency that students may not be introduced to otherwise. The summit was attended by over 1,800 6th, 7th and 8th grades students from disadvantaged/low-income communities around LA. The summit featured over 18 workshops, 40 exhibitors (including Microsoft and Google) and several highly interactive displays designed to inform the audience about opportunities in the Green Energy Sector with the intent of generating interest and guiding the development of future leaders.

This panel will discuss the vision for the summit, the incredible support the summit gained throughout the public and private sector and present key outcomes and feedback. Additional discussion will be provided around the immensely challenging logistics of event coordination and lessons learned.

Speakers

  • Tessa Charnofsky, County of Los Angeles, Workforce Education and Training Program Manager
  • Lujuana Medina, County of Los Angeles, Environmental Initiatives Manager
  • Shanette Anderson, Emerald Cities Collaborative, Southern California Senior Program Manager
Event Date: 06/13/2023
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Workforce Development
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Equitable Electrification for Multifamily Properties

As California jurisdictions seek to decarbonize their building stocks while simultaneously addressing the state’s housing crisis, the challenge of how to retrofit existing multifamily buildings without displacing residents looms large. This session will tell the story of how low-income multifamily properties in the Bay Area layered multiple funding sources to complete comprehensive clean energy and electrification retrofits. Attendees will learn how the projects came together, what technical challenges had to be overcome, and how residents were engaged throughout the process. It will also touch on how incentive programs are evolving to more holistically serve owners and residents.

The panelists will then discuss lessons learned for both local jurisdictions and multifamily property owners, including solutions to common barriers to electrification, how to make the financials of multifamily retrofits pencil out, and how to incorporate resident voices.

The following programs were leveraged and will be discussed: BAMBE, SOMAH, LIWP, TECH Clean CA

Speakers

  • Marisa Villarreal, GRID Alternatives, SOMAH Program Director
  • Sheetal Chitnis, Association for Energy Affordability, Senior Program Manager
  • Ben Cooper, StopWaste, Program Manager
  • Emma Barker, Eden Housing, Inc., Associate Project Developer
Event Date: 06/13/2023
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Residential
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Making Equity Real in Climate Mapping Tools and Platforms

Mapping tools such as the CalEnviroScreen and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) are used to allocate millions of dollars of climate funding. The Greenlining Institute has advocated that these tools are designed to identify communities that are most affected by climate change, economic hardships, and racism. This session provides a practical framework for technologists, government officials, and advocates to go beyond ideals and make equity real in every stage of designing, utilizing, and improving their tools and platforms. This session will touch on limitations with existing tools, such as race not being a factor or tools not including the cumulative impacts of multiple factors, and opportunities for local stakeholders to fill those holes in their planning particularly when it comes to the evaluation of equity goals and benefits.

This workshop draws from Greenlining’s decades of experience in climate justice and racial equity advocacy and technical assistance. We will provide examples from our experience working with communities and government agencies on local, state, and federal tools that are used to allocate funding to disadvantaged communities. We will then move into an interactive discussion where participants come up with strategies on how their jurisdictions use mapping tools and data to advance racial and environmental justice. Participants will have the chance to share their findings and strategies with the group.

Speakers

  • Sneha Ayyagari, The Greenlining Institute, Clean Energy Initiative Program Manager
  • Nicole Wong, The Greenlining Institute, Climate Resilience Program Manager
Event Date: 06/13/2023
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Topic Areas: Data Requests and Analysis, Environmental Justice
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Meeting the Moment: Building Inclusive Energy Action Across the Central Coast

This session will follow the ever-changing story of an energy program that adapted its approach to serve the unique needs of communities and sectors across California’s Central Coast. CC-LEAP, a regional utility-funded efficiency program, has had to pivot, navigating a pandemic launch and understandably strained public agencies and businesses. The program approach quickly shifted from a large-scale energy projects approach to innovative program offerings that catered to small businesses and small local governments with limited budgets and staff capacity. Through community involvement and strategic partnerships, CC-LEAP has overcome regional energy efficiency challenges and driven equitable energy and climate action. In this session, our team, along with partners and member agencies, will share best practices and encourage discussions on customized energy services and strategic partnerships to meet regional needs and goals.

Speakers

  • Ivana Dorin, The Energy Coalition, Program Manager
  • Annie Secrest, County of San Luis Obispo, Energy and Water Coordinator
  • Lindsey Tillisch, Pacific Gas & Electric, Expert Program Manager
  • Rachel Pennington, The Energy Coalition, Acting Assistant Director of Energy Services
Event Date: 06/13/2023
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Central Coast
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Partnerships
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Decarbonizing Homes while Creating Quality Jobs in your Community

Join us for a panel discussion on home electrification or “decarbonization” initiatives and the complementary creation of good jobs in the community – with a focus on economic justice, equity, and environmental health. The panel will explore incorporating high road labor standards into public incentive programs, working with unions and the apprenticeship training programs they provide, and promoting a more sustainable future. The discussion will showcase the Bay Area High Road Training Partnership, which aims to transform the residential retrofit industry from low road to high road, generating family-sustaining jobs while supporting climate sustainability. The panel will feature representatives from a city, a union organization, and public program administrators to discuss strategies for ensuring decarbonization jobs are high road and promoting sustainability efforts while benefiting workers and the community.

Speakers

  • Chiara Arellano, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, High Road Initiatives Manager
  • Jennifer West, Program Manager, StopWaste
  • Jordan Ackerman, Construction Trades Workforce Initiative, Policy and Public Affairs Manager
  • Billi Romain, City of Berkeley, Energy and Sustainable Development Manager
Event Date: 06/13/2023
Region: Sacramento Valley, San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Workforce Development
Presentation Slides
2023 CCEC Forum Resources

Investing in a Climate-Safe Future: Business and Government Roundtable

Nonprofits and governments advocate for policies and programs to achieve social, economic and environmental goals.  But the clean energy economy will be built by the private sector. This is true whether we are talking about efficient, all-electric homes, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, or farms and ranches that grow our food and wine. All these enterprises are privately held, and privately operated. This session will bring together top business leaders from the North Bay to share their programs and practices, and engage in conversation with a cross section of activists and government representatives to better understand how the public and private sectors can better collaborate in creating a future that is clean, affordable, resilient, equitable and safe.

Speakers

  • Doron Amiron, The Climate Center, Business Program Manager
  • Ardi Arian, Renewable America, President & CEO
  • Brad Baker, SOMO Group, CEO
  • Jane Elias, County of Sonoma, Energy and Sustainability Manager
Event Date: 06/13/2023
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Presentation Slides
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13th Annual CCEC Forum

September 21 – 22, 2022 | San Diego, CA
2022 Forum Theme: Accelerating Climate Action & Advancing Justice

The consequences of an extractive fossil fuel economy are here, but so are the solutions. As we work to implement climate and energy solutions, there are dual needs: an urgency to meet our goals and a need to do so in an inclusive, conscientious way without leaving anyone behind. So as we accelerate climate and energy action with new strategies and technologies, how can we create time for the tough and meaningful discussions we need to have? How do we ensure that solutions advance justice and include historically and presently disadvantaged communities? Through this forum, we are looking to engage local governments, state agencies, organizations, and any interested practitioners to facilitate sharing best practices, tools and ideas on how to approach our statewide and local goals effectively.

2022 CCEC Forum Session

Closing Plenary: Accelerating Climate Action and Advancing Justice… with Accountability

To close out the forum, we turn our attention squarely to this year’s theme: Accelerating Climate Action and Advancing Justice. Calls for equitable and inclusive decisions, investments, plans, and projects are reverberating throughout the climate field and in our communities. There is a growing recognition that members of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and other marginalized groups are disproportionately impacted by pollution and the impact of climate change, resulting from an enduring history of systemic racism and chronic disinvestment in their communities. As the momentum for equitable climate action continues to build, how do we ensure meaningful and lasting outcomes for communities? This closing plenary seeks to move beyond principles and frameworks to hear real stories from community organizers and advocates – on what’s working, what isn’t, and what it means to advance justice with accountability. 

Speakers

  • Roger Lin (he/him) (Moderator), Center for Biological Diversity, Senior Attorney for Energy Justice
  • Grace Peralta Beasley (she/her), MCE, Senior Customer Programs Manager
  • NJ Mvondo, National Association for Climate Resilience Planners (NACRP), Member
  • Christian A. Torres (He/him), Comite Civico del Valle, Special Projects Manager
Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Environmental Justice
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Morning Plenary: Collaborating with Tribes

The geopolitical region that we now know as California has for millennia been home to more than 100 distinct Native American Tribes. Beginning with the arrival of Spanish missionaries and soldiers in San Diego in 1769, California Tribes have endured the loss of their lands, resources, and people to the forces of colonialism. Despite an array of injustices and disadvantages, California’s indigenous peoples continue to demonstrate unparalleled resilience and stewardship of the environment. Today, many local governments share boundaries with California Tribes. They also govern land that is considered Tribal ancestral lands and that continues to be home to indigenous people and culturally-important species and resources. Collaboration between Tribal and non-tribal communities is not always easy, but it can produce powerful results. This session will showcase some of the nation-leading climate and energy work being done by Tribes and their partners in the San Diego area. Speakers will highlight Tribes’ unique history, perspective, knowledge, and legal authority, all of which make them vital leaders, teachers, and partners in regional climate and energy efforts. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of Tribal perspectives on a host of relevant issues including ways to respectfully and effectively engage and collaborate with Tribes.

Speakers

  • Joshua Simmons, Prosper Sustainably, President and Founder, Principal Consultant
  • Shasta Gaughen (she/her), Pala Band of Mission Indians, Environmental Director/THPO
  • Michael Connolly, Campo Kumeyaay Nation, Resource Economist/Kumeyaay Historian
  • Angie Hacker (Moderator), CCEC, Statewide Best Practices Coordinator
Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
Topic Areas: Partnerships
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Opening Plenary: State of Climate and Energy in California in 2022

The opening plenary will provide attendees with an overview of the State of Climate and Energy in California in 2022. This plenary aims to set the stage for this year’s theme by reviewing key policies, trends, and opportunities for Accelerating Climate Action and Advancing Justice, with particular attention to providing timely and relevant updates for local governments. Our panel of State and local leaders will reflect on statewide progress towards key climate goals, challenges to overcome, and emerging opportunities for a carbon-free, climate-resilient future by balancing speed and justice. 

Speakers

  • Angie Hacker(Moderator), CCEC, Statewide Best Practices Coordinator
  • David Hochschild (he/him/his), Chair, California Energy Commission
  • Genevieve Shiroma (she/her), California Public Utilities Commission, Commissioner
  • Samuel Assefa (He/Him/His), Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR), Director
  • Lynn von Koch-Liebert (she/her), California Strategic Growth Council (SGC), Executive Director
Event Date: September 21, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Energy Efficiency
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Elevating and Equitable Engaging Rural Voices in the Energy Transition

California has long been a leader in the clean energy and climate transition, yet disadvantaged communities continue to be left behind.  This is particularly true for rural communities, which face ever-increasing challenges with fragile grid systems, a lack of distributed generation, complications responding to public safety power shutoff (PSPS) events, disparate geographics, and local government capacity limitations.

This panel will link utility, government, and implementation to present solutions for engaging rural California voices in the energy transition, including:

  • Community approaches to energy programs.  California community choice aggregators (CCAs) are load serving entities with unusual latitude in initiatives to address local needs.  Josh Brock, Vice President of Calpine, will discuss lessons from CCAs throughout the state, drawing upon extensive research and evaluation of programs serving disadvantaged communities.
  • Enhanced customer communications.  James Riley, Partner at Appos Advisors, will draw upon decades of experience working with investor-owned utilities to share lessons in how to qualify and engage customers in assistance programs, and best methods for supporting rural communities during PSPS events.
  • Local and inclusive energy and climate solutions.  The Town of Truckee is a local jurisdiction that is quickly becoming a leader in community-based climate and sustainability solutions.  Anna Klovstad, Former Mayor, will define successful local stakeholder engagement strategies, agency collaboration tactics, and changes to the Town’s policies and priorities to support climate solutions.

Panelists will discuss specific approaches to working with underserved communities and how these approaches have translated into program designs and solutions that can be applied in rural communities throughout California. 

Speakers

  • Josh Brock (He/Him), Calpine Energy Solutions, Vice President – CCA Commercial Operations
  • James Riley, Appos Advisors, Partner
  • Anna Klovstad, Town of Truckee, Former Mayor
  • Courtney Henderson (Moderator), Resource innovations, Head of Market Strategy
  • Sherry Hao (she/her), Sierra Business Council, Climate & Energy Program Director
Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Topic Areas: Energy Resilience, Environmental Justice
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Bringing Community Based Organizations to the Table to Expand EV Participation in Disadvantaged Communities

Expanding access to electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging to people in low- to moderate-income and disadvantaged communities that have borne the brunt of air pollution is critical to improving local air quality. New and used EVs, purchased or leased with the help of local, state, and federal incentives, can also decrease individuals’ commuting costs through lower costs to operate and maintain an EV. The Center for Sustainable Energy will lead a panel discussion with well-respected leaders from community based organizations (CBOs) across California that work directly with disadvantaged communities.  They will share best practices and examples of successful outreach methods that bring their audience in closer to better understand the benefits and funding incentives available.  We will review why and how it is important for program administrators for EV and EV infrastructure programs to develop a deep and lasting relationships with trusted CBOs that understand their community needs and the issues to reduce barriers to EVs and EV charging acceptance.  This informative panel discussion will also cover how CBOs help inform policy and program design through their understanding of their communities’ challenges and concerns.  We hope you will join us for this impactful presentation. 

Speakers

  • Lauri Walker (she/her/hers) (Moderator), Center for Sustainable Energy, Senior Manager, Equity
  • Flora Barron (She/Hers), Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee, Director of Economic Development
  • Christian A. Torres (He/him), Comite Civico del Valle, Special Projects Manager
Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Going Beyond 2022 Building Standards to Continue Accelerated Climate Action

With the effective date for the new 2022 statewide Building Energy Efficiency Standards only a few months away, many active reach codes will be revisited in the context of the new requirements. What will remain a “reach” over state minimums? What actions can local jurisdictions take to continue accelerating progress on their own climate action plans? How can existing buildings be a bigger part of the progress?
This session tackles the challenge, focusing on how local experience both informs development of the state code, and provides a platform that jurisdictions may use to leapfrog beyond these minimums. First, the presenters will share the results of a survey conducted by Building Decarbonization Coalition, BayREN and Acterra that connected with local government staff from jurisdictions with a building electrification ordinance. This will offer insights on the effects that reach codes are having on jurisdictions with permitted residential and commercial projects and the number of those projects that were designed all-electric. Then, panelists and attendees will share insights and experiences from the 2019 cycle, including lessons learned and opportunities to continue advancing climate-related policies by local leadership in the next code cycle. Together, the session participants will explore ordinance options, from the general policy structure, building types, and targeted activities and measures.

Speakers

  • Danuta Drozdowicz (she), California Energy Commission, Energy Specialist Efficiency Division
  • Crystal Najera, City of Encinitas, Sustainability Manager
  • Demian Hardman-Saldana, Contra Costa County, Department of Conservation and Development, Senior Planner
  • Misti Bruceri (She/Her/Hers), (Moderator) Statewide Reach Codes Program, Coordinator and Technical Lead
  • Lawrence Garber, Building Decarbonization Coalition, Program Associate
  • Cora Panturad, Monterey County, Sustainable Infrastructure Analyst
Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Presentation Slides
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Uniting Data and Community: San Diego’s Climate Equity Index

This panel discussion will cover the process in which the City of San Diego co-developed the first-of-its-kind Climate Equity Index (CEI) in partnership with 32 community-based organizations and nonprofits, to better understand and map out the impacts of climate change at the community level. The discussion will cover the CEI results, process of co-developing, first-hand account from CBOs, detailed information on amount of staff time and budget to develop the CEI, and how the CEI has used the CEI to inform City policy and define Communities of Concern. This will be a conversation around equity, environmental justice, embedding equity in institutional processes, and forging non-traditional partnerships.

  • Roberto Carlos Torres (Moderator), Institute for Local Government, Senior Program Manager
  • Patrice Baker, Groundwork San Diego, Community Outreach Director
  • Dr. Cindy Lin (She/Her), Business for Good, Environmental Health Committee Lead & Board Member
  • Randy Wilde, City of San Diego, Office of Mayor Todd Gloria, Senior Policy Advisor
Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: San Diego
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Environmental Justice, Outreach and Engagement, Partnerships
Presentation Slides
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Accelerating Clean Energy in Rural and Disadvantaged Communities

Energy efficiency works the same in rural and disadvantaged communities as it does anywhere else, right? The short answer is, not exactly.

Implementing clean energy projects in these communities comes with its own unique set of challenges, some of which include fiscal, geographical, and political. During this breakout session, we will take a closer look at how people in these communities are able to achieve success in implementing clean energy projects despite their many obstacles.

To illustrate these challenges and successes, this panel will explore energy efficiency from each perspective including small cities with a population of less than 20,000, a larger city with a population of more than 500,000 as well as the energy efficiency program implementer in their service territory. All of the cities represented are classified as disadvantaged and 2 of the 3 are classified as rural as per the CalEnviroScreen 4.0 tool.

Speakers

  • Ann Kloose, City Of Fresno Sustainably Division
  • Mark Staples, City of Taft, Director of Planning and Development Services
  • Christine Viterelli, City of Arvin, Grants Manager
  • Rochelle Butler (Moderator), SJVCEO, Energy Manager
  • Michelle Villa (She,Her), Willdan Energy Solutions, Account Manager
Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy & Storage
Presentation Slides
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Locals Only: Breaking Through Regional Barriers for Energy Action

Just before the start of the pandemic, SoCalREN began partnering with regional organizations to equitably expand program reach. By mid 2020, we had onboarded five regional partners—a mix of non-profit organizations and councils of governments—with a tremendous breadth of insights into how we could craft more regionally-relevant resources. Fast forward two years, and we’ve got a lot to show for our collaborative efforts! This session will highlight how regional partners have worked with SoCalREN to break through agencies’ skepticism of a region-wide program, promote existing offerings, and co-create new ones. SoCalREN’s regional partners will feature the initiative pilots that they designed and launched this year, including a home energy assessment program, and a comprehensive Energy Resiliency Action Plan program for climate-vulnerable communities. As we enter the third year of regional partnerships, we will engage the audience in a discussion of best practices to increase local energy action so that all communities can realize the benefits of energy savings.

Speakers

  • Kim Fuentes, South Bay Cities Council of Governments, Deputy Executive Director
  • Sumi Gant (She/Hers), Gateway Cities Council of Governments, SoCalREN Program
  • Pam Close Bold, High Sierra Energy Foundation, Executive Director
  • Amy Whitehouse (she/her) (Moderator), SoCalREN, Project Manager
  • Samantha Dodero, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization, Associate Executive Director
  • Nicholas Ryu, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, Manager of Natural Resources & Sustainability
  • Lujuana Medina, SoCalREN, Environmental Initiatives Manager
Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Presentation Slides
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Making the Case for Energy Efficiency Retrofits in Multifamily Buildings

Serving Hard-to-Reach customers is both inherently difficult and vitally necessary as the climate crisis continues to disproportionally affect the most vulnerable populations. Energy efficiency upgrades are the most cost-effective way to reduce energy waste and GHGs in the built environment, while lowering energy bills and improving comfort and indoor air quality. This panel will explore the challenges of implementing deep energy efficiency retrofits in multifamily projects, specifically low-income or affordable housing, and the opportunities to provide EE benefits at scale in the sector. The discussion will touch on project scope, timeline, obstacles, layering of incentive programs, expected benefits, and lessons learned. Attendees will leave with an understanding of decisions and pain points that need to be addressed for multifamily property owners to implement EE upgrades, how to support them in overcoming those obstacles, and some of the ways to leverage incentives and grants to make a project financially feasible.

Speakers

  • Ellen Muscarella, Many Mansions, Vice President
  • Nick Dirr, Association for Energy Affordability, Senior Director, Programs
  • David Segan, Association for Energy Affordability, Inc., Senior Associate, Programs
  • Marisa Hanson-Lopez (Moderator), County of Santa Barbara, Energy Program Manager
Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Central Coast
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Presentation Slides
2022 CCEC Forum Session

At the Table: Local Governments’ Role in Energy Regulation

How to decarbonize, maintain affordability, enhance resilience and address historic environmental injustices, among other critical issues in the energy sector are determined largely through regulatory processes under the California Public Utilities and Energy commissions. Join the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition (LGSEC) for a Regulatory Primer to better understand how regulatory policies create opportunities and threats for local governments. Hear from members about regulatory successes that have helped achieve local climate and energy goals, and exposed community-based problems for which state decision makers were unaware. Learn how collaborating with other local governments can tailor statewide decision-making to address local needs while filling capacity gaps.

Speakers

  • Steven Moss, M.Cubed, LGSEC Regulatory Consultant, Partner
  • Alelia Parenteau (she/her), City of Santa Barbara, Sustainability & Resilience Director
  • Jennifer Berg (She/Her), BayREN, Director, Energy Programs
  • Garrett Wong (he/him/his) (Moderator), County of Santa Barbara, Climate Program Manager
Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Nonprofit
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Partnerships
Presentation Slides
2022 CCEC Forum Session

The 3 C’s: Community Colleges, Climate Action and Community Engagement

This breakout session will be a moderated discussion with Bakersfield College / Kern CCD and their governmental and community partners on the work developing the Kern Energy Innovation Workforce coalition. The session will explore how broadening and deepening partnerships has resulted in greater trust, collaboration, and a heightened ability to attract state and federal resources. Discussion will include approaches to intentional outreach to ensure that disadvantaged communities are included in the discussions and how a broad representation from industry, labor, nonprofits, and government helps to break down silos and lead to strategies developed by the community with workforce and inclusion as a central focus. The session will address challenges presented in forming the coalition, and climate action initiatives that are underway arising from the development of the partnerships. Participants will be asked to think about their communities and develop a list of 3-5 potential community partners for outreach.

Speakers

  • Traco Matthews (He/Him), Community Action Partnership of Kern, Chief Program Officer
  • Christine Viterelli, City of Arvin, Grants Manager
  • Norma Rojas-Mora (she/her/ella) (Moderator), Bakersfield College, Executive Director, Government Relations and Development
  • David Teasdale (he/him/his), Kern Community College District, Executive Director, Economic and Workforce Development Programs
Event Date: September 21, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Nonprofit
Topic Areas: Outreach and Engagement, Workforce Development
Presentation Slides
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Co-Designing Climate Policy Solutions with Environmental Justice Communities & Workers

Co-designing equitable climate policies with government officials, environmental justice communities and the labor movement is difficult, yet necessary work. This interactive breakout session will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with co-designing climate policies and programs that center environmental and labor justice. Our panelists include a sitting City Councilmember as well as community advocates and leaders, all of whom are at the forefront of innovative, community-led climate policies throughout the state. Join us to hear their unique perspectives and vital lessons learned in pursuit of equitable climate policies that advance justice. An open discussion format will provide ample opportunity for attendees to engage directly with the expert panelists and learn how to apply those lessons in their own communities.

Speakers

  • Alex Jasset (Moderator), Physicians for Social Responsibility – LA
  • Katie Valenzuela (she/her), Sacramento City Councilmember, Environmental Justice Policy Consultant
  • Laura Gracia, CBE
  • Kameron Hurt, RePower LA
Event Date: September 21, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Environmental Justice, Partnerships
Presentation Slides
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Collaborative Pathways to Equitable Decarbonization in the San Diego Region

Recognizing the need for a regional approach to addressing climate change, the County of San Diego is in the process of creating an integrated Regional Decarbonization Framework (RDF). The integrated RDF is a visionary document to address regional emissions in the San Diego region to getting to zero carbon emissions in the energy system in alignment with State and federal goals and pathways. The integrated RDF is also visionary because it seeks to provide the data-driven emissions reductions pathways to all jurisdictions, agencies, and governments to foster a collaborative approach to decarbonization and to ensure that no parts of the region are left behind. In focusing on collaboration, learning, and a data-driven approach to emissions reductions, the Integrated RDF is also centering on equity because addressing climate change will require addressing climate justice and environmental justice. This panel will discuss the integrated RDF’s initial findings and relevance for the region.

Speakers

  • Elise Hanson, County of San Diego, Management Fellow
  • Scott Anders (He/Him), Energy Policy Initiatives Center, University of San Diego School of Law, Director
  • Kyle Heiskala, Environmental Health Coalition, Climate Justice Policy Advocate
  • Gordon McCord (he/his) (Moderator), University of California, San Diego – School of Global Policy & Strategy, Associate Professor of Economics
Event Date: September 21, 2022
Region: San Diego
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Partnerships
Presentation Slides
2022 CCEC Forum Session

The Yolo Climate Commission: Emission Reduction through Community-Driven Action

This interactive session highlights the role that resource-constrained, rural, and/or agricultural communities play in taking aggressive, grassroots action on climate change. We will discuss how Yolo County passed a climate emergency declaration, established a carbon negative by 2030 goal, and created a community-driven Climate Action Commission that is charged with guiding the development and implementation of the County’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. We will hear from a panel of community leaders and elected officials about the development of the Commission, and strategies employed—such as funding early action projects, undertaking creative engagement in unincorporated regions, and centering historically and presently disadvantaged communities—to ensure that resources are urgently mobilized to tackle our climate goals efficiently and equitably. Session attendees will discuss lessons-learned in standing up a Climate Action Commission, the opportunities for leveraging funding and engagement to overcoming resource constraints, and the models that worked for Yolo County.

Speakers

  • NJ Mvondo, National Association for Climate Resilience Planners (NACRP), Member
  • Kristen Wraithwall (she/her), Yolo County, Sustainability Manager
  • Jim Provenza, Yolo County, District 4, County Supervisor
  • Adelita Serena (She/Hers), Yolo County Climate Commission/Sierra Club, Commissioner/Community Outreach Coordinator
Event Date: September 21, 2022
Region: Sacramento Valley
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Partnerships
Presentation SlidesEvent Resources
2022 CCEC Forum Session

The Intersection of Food Access and EE: LA’s Neighborhood Market Revitalization Program

This session will bring together the perspectives of different stakeholders that have made LA County’s Healthy Stores Refrigeration Program (HSRP) possible. Participants will gain valuable insights on leveraging different funding sources, finding intersections between local issues, and engaging the community to deliver larger behavioral benefits for businesses and residents—all through a single program.

HSRP is a Los Angeles County initiative to support corner stores and small businesses across Los Angeles County by fully funding new energy-efficient refrigerators to stock with healthy food. The program aims to address the challenge of food deserts, help small businesses save money, reduce GHG emissions, promote healthy food options in low-income communities, and provide education, outreach, and support to small businesses. Within the first phase of this program’s implementation, over 80 stores in LA County’s food deserts have received their fridges and begun to see the positive impacts in their communities.

Speakers
  • Natalie Espinoza (She/Her)(Moderator), The Energy Coalition, Education and Engagement Program Manager
  • Lujuana Medina, SoCalREN, Environmental Initiatives Manager
Event Date: September 21, 2022
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Sectors Targeted: Commercial
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Public Health
Presentation Slides
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Building Electrification: Dystopian Novel or an Opportunity for Equitable Action

Real and perceived barriers to building electrification, renewable generation, and advanced energy storage paint the outline to the next hit novel chronicling a dystopian future.  Imagine a world not so far off, perhaps only a few generations, where we have electrified communities, resilient to the escalating climate crisis. Who are they and will conflict emerge between those who have reliable access to resources and those who do not?

The goal is simple—to discuss how to keep this potential eventuality squarely in the fiction section of our collective future. To achieve our goal, panelists will discuss how policy, energy code and programs intersect with building electrification and equitable access to resources. Focus will be placed on discussing barriers, community messaging and recommended actions to accelerate equitable change.

Speakers

  • Rochelle Butler, SJVCEO, Energy Manager
  • Lou Jacobson (Moderator), Willdan, Senior Program Manager
  • Jessie Knapstein (she/her), Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3), Senior Managing Consultant
  • Jordan Garbayo, Tri-County Regional Energy Network, County of San Luis Obispo, Energy Program Manager
  • Jaime Alonso (He/Him), GRID Alternatives Inland Empire, Executive Director
  • Jose Buendia, Southern California Edison, Sr. Project Manager
Event Date: September 21, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Presentation Slides
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Promotoras as Partners in Advancing Clean Energy in Disadvantaged Communities

Creating a more equitable clean energy future takes time and care. Programs that address barriers to participation such as trust, access, language, and transportation will achieve greater success than those that rely simply on incentives.  This session looks at how the promotora de salud outreach model can advance clean energy and environmental equity goals in low-income communities. The model, originally developed in Mexico, is already successfully used by healthcare clinics across the U.S. Promotoras are powerful partners because they speak the same language, share a common culture, and regularly interact with people. This moderated panel will describe how promotoras have been key in several healthcare initiatives and then discuss the decarbonization efforts that can benefit from this partnership. The session’s purpose is to demonstrate that by working with promotoras, local governments have an untapped local resource to help realize the shared vision of a vibrant, healthy and equitable community.

Speakers

  • Stephanie Lemus (she/her/hers), Clinica Romero, Director, Public Policy & Community Affairs
  • Mabell Garcia Paine, Viridis Consulting LLC, President
  • Nancy Barba (she/her) (Moderator), Frontier Energy, Director
  • Susana Moncada (She/Her/Hers/Ella), Clinica Romero, Promotora/Community Health Worker
Event Date: September 21, 2022
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Topic Areas: Outreach and Engagement, Public Health, Renewable Energy & Storage
Presentation Slides
2022 CCEC Forum Poster

Advancing Resource Accessibility & Energy Resilience: The Energy Education & Resource Hub

Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: San Diego
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Event Resources
2022 CCEC Forum Poster

How Multifamily Clean Energy Programs Support an Equitable and Sustainable Future

Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Renewable Energy & Storage
Event Resources
2022 CCEC Forum Poster

Access to Solar Brings Power: Centering Community in the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) Program

Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage
Event Resources
2022 CCEC Forum Poster

Multifamily Zero Carbon Action Plan – carbon neutral, resilient, affordable

Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Event Resources
2022 CCEC Forum Poster

Empowering Residents to take Climate Action on a Community Scale

Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Topic Areas: Outreach and Engagement
Event Resources
2022 CCEC Forum Poster

Google Nest Smart Thermostat: An Accessible and Equitable Energy Solution

Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Event Resources
2022 CCEC Forum Poster

County of Santa Barbara One Climate Initiative

Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Central Coast
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Environmental Justice
2022 CCEC Forum Poster

Visualizing Illumination Photometrics in an Equitable Environment

Event Date: September 22, 2022
Region: Statewide
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
2022 CCEC Forum Session

Funding Equitable Residential Decarbonization in Berkeley

Decarbonizing existing buildings is imperative to achieving our climate goals but has a large price tag. Absent the ability to access substantial incentive dollars, many building owners will not be able to afford these investments or will pass these costs on to tenants, exacerbating displacement risk and the housing affordability crisis. Building on Berkeley’s cutting-edge climate policies, city staff and the Building Electrification Institute wanted to understand how to fund the decarbonization of Berkeley’s housing stock while preserving housing affordability. They commissioned a funding gap analysis, which analyzed the cost to decarbonize Berkeley’s residential buildings by 2045; identified federal, state, regional, and local funding sources that support equitable decarbonization; quantified the remaining funding gap; and explored fundraising opportunities to fill that gap. Members of the project team will share their approach, provide key findings from this analysis and offer a roadmap for other jurisdictions to conduct similar assessments.

Speakers

  • Dani Makous (she/her)(Speaker)Building Electrification Institute, Assistant Director
  • Bridgett Neely(Moderator)Firefly Energy Consulting, President
  • Catherine Campbell-Orrock(Speaker)Building Electrification Institute, Deputy Director
  • Nick Dirr(Speaker)Association for Energy Affordability, Senior Director, Programs
Event Date: September 21, 2022
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Residential
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
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12th Annual CCEC Forum

Transforming Tomorrow Together | August 3 – 19, 2021
2021 Forum Theme

Transforming Tomorrow Together: Weaving recovery, equity, and public health into local energy and climate work.  

The dilemmas of 2020 are not yet behind us. From ongoing budgetary challenges to the systemic issues of racism and environmental injustice that have been illuminated, together local climate and energy practitioners must take decisive action to create a brighter, cleaner, and safer tomorrow for all. Making meaningful progress towards our clean energy vision requires us to embrace the challenging task of advancing holistic energy efficiency solutions, creating authentic relationships with communities, and lifting up viable climate and energy strategies that deliver tangible benefits. Promising pathways continue to emerge for local governments to strengthen their ongoing efforts with new partnerships, resources, policy solutions, and recovery strategies.

The virtual forum will focus on pivotal opportunities for local climate and energy practitioners to address the climate crisis in ways that result in lasting, institutional changes centered around equity and community wellbeing. The forum will create space to recognize the reality that people in our communities are living in today from the effects of climate change, historic and ongoing systemic inequities, COVID-19 impacts, and beyond. By doing so, local governments can focus on these interconnected issues to highlight local solutions and catalyze transformative change through collaboration.

The 12th Annual CCEC Forum, taking place in August 2021, will feature topics weaving recovery, equity and public health into local climate and energy work. The forum will spotlight progress and best practices through the tracks of  Holistic Climate/Energy Planning and Readiness, Equitable Decarbonization, and Just Clean Energy Transition. We invite you to join fellow climate and energy practitioners from across California to collaborate on Transforming Tomorrow Together.

Schedule at a Glance

Track Legend

Plenary Events (Recommended)

Holistic Climate/Energy Planning and Readiness

Equitable Decarbonization Strategies

A Just Transition to Clean Energy

Week 1

Tuesday, August 3

10:00 – 11:30 am

Opening Plenary – A Statewide View of Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

Recording | Presentation Slides | Additional Resources

Details

12:00 – 1:00 pm

Lunch 1 – How Local Governments Can Seize the Moment: 2021 State Budget and Policy Updates

Recording | Presentation Slides

Details

Wednesday, August 4

10:00 – 11:00 am

Webinar 1 – Championing Cross-cutting Programs: Effective Equity and Climate Resilience Partnerships

Recording | Presentation Slides | SGVRHT Website | SoCalREN Website

Details

12:00 – 1:00 pm

Lunch 2 – Resilience Hubs: Equitable Climate Solutions

Recording | Presentation Slides

Details

Thursday, August 5

10:00 – 11:15 am

Webinar 2 – Soup to Nuts: An Interagency Approach to Guiding Constituents from Education to Energy Savings

Recording | Presentation Slides

Details

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Webinar 3 – Sustainable Procurement: Opportunities for Local Government

Recording | Presentation Slides | Empower Procurement Website

Details

Week 2

Tuesday, August 10

10:00 – 11:00 am

Webinar 4 – Increasing EV Adoption: From Paper to Production

Recording | Presentation Slides | Additional Resource

Details

2:00 – 3:15 pm

Webinar 5 – Planning for Equitable Existing Building Electrification

Recording | Presentation Slides

Details

Wednesday, August 11

12:00 – 1:00 pm

Lunch 3 – Building Equity Into Policy & Programs with SOMAH

Recording | Presentation Slides

Details

2:00 – 3:15 pm

Webinar 6 – Incorporating Environmental Justice Priorities into Regulatory and Enforcement Policy

Recording | Presentation Slides

Details

Thursday, August 12

10:00 – 11:15 am

Webinar 7 – The Future is Local: Just and Equitable Clean Energy Transformation

Recording | Presentation Slides

Details

12:00 – 1:15 pm

Lunch 4 – BPC Spotlight Event: How Local Governments Can Be Competitive in Today’s Funding Climate

Recording | Presentation Slides

Details

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Webinar 8 – Preparing Workers to Build Back Cleaner

Recording | Presentation Slides | Additional Resource

Details

Week 3

Tuesday, August 17

10:00 – 11:00 am

Webinar 9 – Planning for Energy Reliability Solutions That Do More Than Keep the Lights On

Recording | Presentation Slides | Additional Resource 1 | Additional Resource 2 | Additional Resource 3

Details

11:30 – 1:00 pm

Lunch 5 – Local Government Electrification: Opportunities and Challenges

Recording | Presentation Slides | Local Government Electrification Interest Form

Details

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Webinar 10 – Speeding Decarbonization Efforts with Reach Code Development Tools

Recording | Presentation Slides

Details

Wednesday, August 18

12:00 – 1:15 pm

Lunch 6 – The State of Local Climate Planning – a Needed Evolution

Recording | Presentation Slides | Additional Resource | Mural Discussion Board

Details

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Webinar 11 – Next Generation Building Decarbonization: Policy Evolution in California & Washington

Recording | Presentation Slides

Details

Thursday, August 19

10:00 – 11:00 am

Webinar 12 – Leveraging Solar & Battery Systems to Lower Costs & Increase Resiliency

Recording | Presentation Slides | Additional Resource 1 | Additional Resource 2

Details

1:00 – 2:30 pm

Closing Plenary – Highlights and Horizons: An Interactive Forum Closing (Recommended)

Recording | Presentation Slides

Details

11th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

June – November 2020 | Virtual
Watch Forum Recordings
2020 Theme: Promising Solutions for a Clean Energy Future

From achieving a series of ambitious climate action milestones over the next decade to responding to more urgent challenges in the short-term, local government agencies are uniquely positioned to determine the trajectory of California’s energy sector. This year’s theme, Promising Solutions for a Clean Energy Future, aims to highlight concrete strategies, case studies, tools, and resources to support local government agencies in responding to rapidly evolving trends while continuing to meet their communities’ energy needs. Session tracks have been organized to help share these stories and highlight promising solutions for equity and community engagement, energy resilience, integrated planning to action, and decarbonization pathways.

Click any of the webinars below to view the description, speakers, presentation slides, webinar recordings, and additional materials. Search and filter through best practices shared throughout the forum by using the Best Practices Database. 

10th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

June 26-27, 2019 | Long Beach, CA

Plenaries | Breakout Sessions |Posters

View Forum Program
2019 Theme: Transforming Energy Efficiency – Bridging Opportunity and Community Need

The 10th Annual SEEC Forum focused on empowering local governments and the communities they represent to implement impactful energy efficiency measures locally while helping meet the state’s ambitious climate and energy goals. To make real progress towards a decarbonized future, we must accelerate the pace of investment in, and deployment of, integrated energy efficiency strategies and more deeply engage underserved and disadvantaged communities. Through transformative action on the ground, the gap between opportunity and community need can be bridged.

Plenaries
State Leaders Opening Plenary

To meet our ambitious state and local goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we must accelerate the pace of investment in, and deployment of, energy efficiency and other integrated energy strategies, as well as more deeply engage underserved and disadvantaged communities across California. This session will provide the opportunity for leaders from key statewide organizations to discuss their vision for California’s low carbon future and the role of local governments in this evolving policy and program landscape.

Speakers:

  • Leif Christiansen, EE Coordinator, Local Government Commission
  • Edie Chang, California Air Resources Board
  • Pete Skala, California Public Utilities Commission
  • Lara Ettenson, Natural Resources Defense Council

Resources:

Morning Plenary I: Energy Efficiency Policies, Planning, and Funding for Climate Vulnerable Communities

This session will evaluate how energy efficiency investments currently target and benefit disadvantaged (DAC) and low-income communities. The speakers will discuss how that definition is broadening to include an understanding of climate vulnerability, incorporating climate impacts and adaptation, and how to target current and future investments based on this evolving definition. The session will cover the importance of a common framework, challenges and opportunities in this process, metrics to measure progress, and how various stakeholders including local governments, utilities, and community-based organizations are working toward a shared goal of climate resilience.

Speakers:

  • Leah Fisher, California Strategic Growth Council
  • Nuin-Tara Key, California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
  • Jodi Pincus, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity
  • David Jacot, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
  • Amee Raval, Asian Pacific Environmental Network

Resources:

Morning Plenary I Volunteer Notes

Morning Plenary II: The Future Decarbonization of California’s Energy

Reducing emissions from non-renewable fossil fuels from buildings is a key strategy for ensuring California meets its aggressive climate goals. This session will explore IOUs’ visions for the path forward for decarbonizing energy in support of these statewide goals.

Speakers:

  • Leif Christiansen, EE Coordinator
  • Joshua Torres, Southern California Edison
  • Ken Chawkins, Southern California Gas Company

Resources:

Morning Plenary II Volunteer Notes

Closing Plenary: The Lasting Legacy of Local Government Partnerships

Gather around the campfire and listen closely, as masterful Local Government Partnership storytellers from around the state share perspectives about how the LGP program model has made a lasting impact in their region. Walk back in time to the origins of Local Government Partnerships, initiated as a single city-utility collaboration, and through the evolution into the statewide program offered by every Investor Owned Utility. By celebrating the countless accomplishments of LGPs, this presentation will serve as a celebration of this public sector program as we know it today while addressing the continued need to deliver support into the future.

Speakers:

  • Laurel Rothschild, The Energy Coalition
  • Lou Jacobson, Redwood Coast Energy Authority
  • Courtney Kalashian, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization
  • Alejandra Tellez, Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance
  • Renée Yarmy, Port of San Diego

Resources:

Closing Plenary Volunteer Notes

Breakouts
Regional Leadership to Support Local Action in Disadvantaged Communities

Faced with limited budgets and a lack of capacity, the small cities in the Gateway Cities region found themselves unable to develop the plans, inventories and projects needed to compete for valuable state Cap & Trade Funding. To remedy this, the Council of Governments led a multi-partner effort to create a Regional Climate Action Framework that now is helping cities advance their goals for economic development, public health, air quality, climate resiliency, equity, public engagement and job creation while planning for the impacts of climate change. In this session, you will get a preview of the innovative framework, learn about the resources and partners that led to this project and hear how it is helping local governments compete for state funding.

Speakers:

  • Karalee Browne, Institute for Local Government
  • Nancy Pfeffer, Gateway Cities Council of Governments
  • Brian Schuster, Environmental Science Associates

Resources:

Chasing the Twin Goals of Carbon Reduction and Racial Equity

San Francisco’s “Zero Cities” project is a comprehensive, data-driven effort that articulates specific mechanisms to catalyze net zero emissions in the building sector by 2050. Learn about:

  • Analysis using publicly available information to gain understanding of building emissions by sector, size and other attributes, key intervention points and policy options to drive emissions reductions.
  • Partnerships to deploy data analytics to identify residential building retrofit opportunities that have a strong financial case and reduce the most emissions.
  • Effective community engagement with to empower stakeholders to partner with the City on building sector policy and program development and implementation.

Speakers:

  • Rich Chien, Department of Environment, City and County of San Francisco
  • Ammon Reagan, Department of Environment, City and County of San Francisco
  • Chris Selig, PODER
  • Leah Obias, Race Forward

Resources:

Chasing the Twin Goals of Carbon Reduction and Racial Equity Volunteer Notes

Catalyzing Decarbonization and Market Transportation through Procurement

Many local government agencies are following California’s ambitious energy and climate goals. However, bandwidth, expertise, information availability, system and process deficiencies, and incumbent policies, behaviors and contracts make it difficult to overcome structural inertia that limits innovation. Recognizing these challenges, the California Energy Commission is launching a procurement assistance program that addresses widespread barriers and that is available for everyone. This panel will: (1) review technical potential for different end uses, (2) engage the audience in a facilitated discussion to highlight opportunities to innovate procurement systems, processes and policies, and (3) share how SEEC members can participate in the program.

Speakers:

  • Brian Barnacle, Energy Solutions
  • Kathleen Egan, Ecomedes

Resources:

Catalyzing Decarbonization and Market Transformation through Procurement Volunteer Notes

Public/Private Partnerships Promoting Energy Efficiency: Green Business Programs and Incentives

California provides the California Green Business Network with funding for Cities and Counties to start Green Business Programs. A Green Business Program can be a powerful incentive for businesses to go beyond compliance. The best part is the process is fully fleshed out in an easy to use framework complete with training. Come to this session to learn what a successful Green Business Program looks like. Hear from one of our newest programs in Long Beach. In addition, learn how EnergyUpgrade California, CCAs and the IOUs partner with Green Business Programs to promote energy efficiency at small businesses.

Speakers:

  • Josephine Fleming, California Green Business Network
  • Courtney Chatterson, City of Long Beach
  • Laura Rosenthal, Energy Upgrade California
  • Shawn Orgel-Olson, California Green Business Network

Resources:

Public/Private Partnerships Promoting Energy Efficiency: Green Business Programs and Incentives Volunteer Notes

TRC for the Rest of Us: Breaking Down Cost-Effectiveness

Everyone has been told that cost-effectiveness, and specifically Total Resource Cost (TRC), guides portfolio decisions, but do you understand the TRC calculation and why the programs that benefit your community may not make the cut? This session will continue the discussion started at the SEEC Forum in 2018. The panel will review the history and components of TRC, the impact that relying on the TRC has on energy efficiency programs, and what national best practices could improve California’s approach. The panel will also raise alternatives for how to accurately value efficiency, protect customer funds, and align with state policies.

Speakers:

  • Nicol Manzanares, The Energy Coalition
  • Lara Ettenson, Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Chris Ford, The Energy Coalition
  • Lou Jacobson, Redwood Coast Energy Authority

Resources:

Putting “Action” into your Climate Action Plan: Energy Master Planning

It can be a significant challenge to translate into action the ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals of local government agencies’ Climate Action Plans. This session will demonstrate how Energy Master Planning (a cost-effective, strategic approach) addresses this implementation gap. Energy Master Planning is a process where emissions reduction goals are mapped onto clear and actionable implementation plans. It provides a roadmap for identifying, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the impacts of high value projects. This interactive session will explore how Energy Master Planning optimizes existing assets, identifies cost-effective energy generation opportunities, generates predictable savings over time, and increases resiliency.

Speakers:

  • Rick Brown, TerraVerde Energy
  • Ken Loman, City of Woodland
  • Karly Zimmerman Fogg, TerraVerde Energy
  • Brian Barnacle, Energy Solutions

Resources:

Putting “Action” into your CAP: Energy Master Planning Volunteer Notes

Fueling Energy Conservation and Efficiency through Gamification

This panel will showcase proven ways to engage employees in energy conservation and efficiency through gamification. The Port of San Diego, along with The Energy Coalition and Center for Sustainable Energy, will break down two recent engagement campaigns. Panelists will highlight lessons learned from each of the campaigns, while providing panel attendees with best practices to implement an educational campaign at their organization. You will even have a chance to participate in a game and slay energy vampires. Get inspired to test out similar behavior change campaigns with your employees to help reach your sustainability goals!

Speakers:

  • Rachel Stern, Port of San Diego
  • Amy Whitehouse, The Energy Coalition
  • Michael Arvizu, Center for Sustainable Energy
  • Rita de la Fuente, San Diego Convention Center Corporation

Resources:

Fueling Energy Conservation and Efficiency through Gamification Volunteer Notes

Energize! A Municipal Residential Energy Efficiency Competition

Energize! is a municipal behavioral energy efficiency competition for high school districts (or other geographies) to compete against each other to deploy home energy retrofits. The Energize! program provides an innovative and effective tool for local governments to improve existing residential building energy efficiency, a sector in which cities typically have little programmatic authority. This session provides participants with cutting-edge big data tools, behavioral social science strategies, and program resources to implement new municipal EE programs.

Speakers:

  • Hal Nelson, Portland State University
  • Alex Polamero, Culture Cube Marketing
  • Harrison Kingery, Res-Intel

Resources:

Energize! A Municipal Residential Energy Efficiency Competition Volunteer Notes

RENs: Lessons Learned and the Future of Energy Efficiency

Join to hear updates on the REN vision, programs, lessons learned, and case studies on how the RENs have been leveraged to meet community needs and addressing climate change. We will share how we address gaps in the energy efficiency marketplace and serve residential, business, and public customers that have been traditionally underserved. We will discuss new RENs, and enhancements RENs offer Local Government Programs and Community Choice Aggregators. Also learn how local governments can best diversify and partner with other EE implementers and climate change stakeholders to provide tangible impacts and to thrive in the midst of funding uncertainty.

Speakers:

  • Laurel Rothschild, The Energy Coalition
  • Jenny Berg, Association of Bay Area Governments/Metropolitan Transportation Commission
  • Lujuana Medina, County of Los Angeles
  • Alejandra Tellez, County of Ventura

Resources:

RENs: Lessons Learned & the Future of EE Volunteer Notes

Revolving Loan Funds in a Post-Incentive World

For many public agencies, utility incentives and On-Bill Financing (OBF) with fund disbursement months after project completion can be a significant hindrance to program utilization and project implementation. A Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program overcomes this barrier by providing access to upfront funds that cover 100% of the project construction costs. The session highlights RLF models and provides practical and proven strategies to successfully design and sustain a RLF. Participants will learn why Revolving Loan Funds must be considered as an important tool to finance energy projects.

Speakers:

  • Genaro Bugarin, The Energy Coalition
  • Annie Secrest, County of San Luis Obispo
  • Matthew Skolnik, County of Los Angeles
  • Alelia Parenteau, City of Santa Barbara

Resources:

Revolving Loan Funds in a Post-Incentive World Volunteer Notes

Addressing Barriers to EVI Deployment in Disadvantaged Communities

While some of the approaches to deploying EVI in rural and DAC communities compare to other regions (e.g., increase awareness, increase affordability, reduce range anxiety, provide funding opportunities, streamline permitting), there are also unique approaches that are beneficial to communities where: air quality improvement is a priority; Residents are multi-cultural and speak numerous languages; Significant residents do not have access to home charging (e.g., MUDs); Daily commutes to work are above average; Corridor travel is significant; and existing rebate programs have not been fully utilized.

In this session, we will explore the barriers that are common to all and unique to these communities. We will ask for audience participation to prioritize deployment strategies, share results of work conducted, and provide toolkits for decision-makers to utilize in their own community.

Speakers:

  • Kevin Wood, Center for Sustainable Energy
  • Linda Urata, County of Kern
  • Christine Viterelli, City of Arvin
  • Jack Axelrod, Envoy

Resources:

Local Energy Codes: Tools for Reaching Your Climate Action Goals

Reach codes (local energy ordinances) are one of the tools local governments can use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as save energy and money. This session will discuss the local goals that can be addressed with reach codes, including decarbonization, and will provide an overview of various reach code strategies and options local governments can consider. Attendees will also hear about experiences and lessons learned from local governments who have adopted reach codes in the past, and will leave with information about resources available to assist with reach code efforts.

Speakers:

  • Chris Kuch, Southern California Edison
  • Karen Kristiansson, BayREN
  • Amy Rider, Building Decarbonization Coalition
  • Misti Bruceri, Misti Bruceri & Associates, LLC
  • Gabriel Taylor, California Energy Commission

Resources:

The Spirit of Free Ridership Policy and the Public Sector

This session will debate the merit of free ridership policy in the public sector. The goal is to promote a balanced perspective on the topic while increasing participants’ understanding of the policy and how it influences program design, implementation and cost-effectiveness calculations. Panelists will be prompted by moderator questions and participant feedback. Example questions include: What is free ridership and why are we so worried about it? How do we document program influence? Is the concept of free ridership in government valid? And, should we be concerned about how free ridership assumptions may impact hard to reach communities?

Speakers:

  • Lou Jacobson, Redwood Coast Energy Authority
  • Courtney Kalashian, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization
  • Rebecca Hausheer, The Energy Coalition
  • Brendan Havenar-Daughton, Pacific Gas & Electric
  • Jordan Garbayo, 3CREN – County of San Luis Obispo

Resources:

Microgrids: Low Carbon Reliability & Resilience

Wild fire, extreme weather linked to climate change, ever-present earthquake threats, and other possible disruptions, along with decarbonization policy goals, are leading local governments to examine microgrids. What kinds of critical facility microgrids are moving forward today? How are they being financed? How are they designed? Communities can tap into new energy innovations to support critical functions while supporting business continuity and other local economic development goals.

Speakers:

  • Margaret Bruce, Local Government Commission
  • Peter Asmus, Navigant Research
  • David Liebman, Sonoma County Junior College District
  • Christine Houston, Port of Long Beach

Resources:

 

Aligning Municipal Policies and Actions with Energy and Carbon Goals

A growing number of cities are setting ambitious energy and carbon goals. Buildings are often the largest source of municipal emissions. However, there is often a disconnect between day-to-day building operations, capital planning, and long-term goals. This team has been working with several cities around the country to “lead by example” in municipal building. Cities can leverage basic energy benchmarking data to cost-effectively develop a strategic plan for municipal facility improvement. Join us to hear about successes and lessons learned and to receive free, comprehensive resources and tools to strategically advance the energy performance of your own portfolio of buildings.

Speakers:

  • Cathy Higgins, New Buildings Institute
  • Sharon Patterson Grant, Eco Edge
  • Susan Freed, County of San Diego
  • Mike Grim, City of Carlsbad

Resources:

Aligning Municipal Policies and Actions with Energy and Carbon Goals Volunteer Notes

A Tale of Two Cities

This session will explore the individual motivations of different public agencies throughout Southern California as they strive to achieve energy efficiency-equity across their regions through Local Government Partnerships (LGPs). LGP implementers The Energy Coalition (TEC), along with program administrators Southern California Edison (SCE) will share their first-hand experience with providing municipal energy efficiency project support to cities through the West Side Energy Partnership and North Orange County Cities (NOCC) Energy Partnership. Insider perspectives into the distinctive motives of each region that inspire local leadership actions will be explored.

Speakers:

  • Samantha Meza, The Energy Coalition
  • Jake Anderson, The Energy Coalition
  • Robyn Eason, City of West Hollywood
  • Joshua Soliz, City of Orange
  • Scot Mann, Southern California Edison

Resources:

A Tale of Two Cities Volunteer Notes

Posters

9th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

June 20-21, 2018 | Sacramento, CA

Plenaries | Breakout Sessions |Posters

View Forum Program
2018 Theme: Scaling Up and Out

With increasingly aggressive energy and climate goals, there is a clear need for proven solutions that can be adapted and implemented at the regional scale. Scaling Up and Out emphasizes the need to identify, replicate, and scale programs and practices from communities across the state.

Keeping with the theme of Scaling Up and Out, the 9th Annual SEEC Forum focused on policies and practices that have been successfully implemented and can be adapted to fit the needs of communities elsewhere. Presenters provided energy tools, financing models, and policies that can encourage increased adoption of energy efficiency and climate adaptation actions in communities across the state.

Plenaries

Day 2 Morning Plenary Session (60 mins.)

The SB 350 Barriers Study identified structural policy, and programmatic barriers to equitable access to energy services and clean energy technologies. In addition, the recent decision from the CPUC addressing the Energy Efficiency Business Plans calls on utilities to measure the economic impacts and co-benefits of energy efficiency programs on low-income, hard-to-reach, and disadvantaged communities. This session will explore the need to address inequities in our local energy policies and programs and how local leaders can ensure they are providing opportunities for clean energy access to all members of their community.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Cary Garcia, Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator, Local Government Commission
  • Luis Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer, Community Resource Project, Inc.
  • Alana Matthews, Public Advisor, California Energy Commission
  • Leslie Martinez, Leslie Martinez, Policy Advocate, Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability

Presentations:

Plenary: The Changing Electric Utility Industry – Roles & Opportunities for Local Governments

The electric utility industry is in the midst of dramatic change.  Future opportunities for local governments within the design, operation and maintenance of the electric “grid of the future” have been presented at many venues.  However, many of these opportunities exist now under current grid operator programs and are being developed at energy regulatory venues. This presentation will describe how and why local governments should be participating in ongoing grid operations programs, how that participation is funded, and where past challenges local governments faced in this participation may be mitigated.

These opportunities arise from regulatory and industry trends including the retirement of nuclear and fossil fuel generating stations, policies in advancing clean power utilization, and the advancement and utilization of clean energy market technologies by retail customers.  San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station has been decommissioned, Diablo Canyon Nuclear Generating Station is scheduled for retirement, coast-based thermal generating stations and fossil-fuel peaking stations are being phased out, and independent market participants and retail customers are adopting new, clean technologies for integration into the grid at astounding rates.  This presentation will describe the opportunities for local governments to participate in programs today, and in the near future, that impact the well being of the electric grid and their communities.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Howard Choy, Owner, Howard Choy Consulting, LLC, Vanir Energy
  • Craig Perkins, President and Executive Director, The Energy Coalition
  • Gene Rodrigues, Vice President, ICF International
  • Randy Britt, President, Vanir Energy
  • Gary Saleba, President/CEO, EES Consulting

Presentations:

Breakouts

Regulations and Legislation Impacting Local Energy Programs

Local climate and energy program staff, organizational leaders and community members have a need to know about policy and regulatory proposals affecting their programs and how to engage meaningfully in policy development.  This session will provide attendees with the most current information on priority legislative proposals, Public Utilities Commission proceedings, and Energy Commission building benchmarking regulations.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Margaret Bruce, Program Manager, Local Government Commission
  • Irene Moosen, Regulatory Consultant, Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition
  • Eugene Lee, Residential Supervisor, Efficiency Division, Existing Buildings Office, California Energy Commission
  • Nidia Bautista, Chief Consultant, California Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications

Presentations:

Decarbonization, Democratization, Decentralization: Tools for Implementing Climate Change Plans

As local governments pursue increasingly aggressive climate change and public health goals, interest in electrification is growing. Communities are looking to decarbonize full buildings and public facilities including: electrifying heating, hot water and cooking. The good news is that highly efficient heat pumps for heating air and water and induction and convection appliances for cooking are coming into the market with increasingly competitive installation and operating costs and prices. In addition, heating technologies are being outfitted with communications and control devices that will enable them to be used as thermal storage solutions in support grid needs, and for generating revenues for home and building owners. This workshop will provide up to date research that can be used to help policymakers reach informed decisions about their energy source. It will also describe a practical road map, including: policies, tools and programs, that public agencies can adapt to their local conditions to cost-effectively electrify. Finally, the workshop will include several case studies demonstrating how public agencies are already launching decarbonization initiatives.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Rick Brown, President, TerraVerde Energy, LLC
  • Panama Bartholomy, Founder, Building Decarbonization Coalition
  • Jessie Denver, Energy Program Manager, San Francisco Department of the Environment
  • Jonathan Parfrey, Executive Director, Climate Resolve

Presentations:

Connecting with the State’s Financing Pilots and Reaching Underserved Communities

CAEATFA, in partnership with the Investor Owned Utilities, is launching innovative financing pilot programs, designed to make more private capital available for energy efficiency retrofits. The workshop will cover what financing is, and will be available for homeowners, renters and small businesses so that local government participants can connect constituents with these resources. Making capital available for underserved communities is a priority for the programs. We will explore how the programs can best serve disadvantaged communities, balancing access with consumer protection, the challenges of supplying credit to the small business market and opportunities for collaboration with local governments.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Andrew Nih, Financing Supervisor, Southern California Gas Company
  • Miriam Joffe-Block, Program Manager, California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority
  • Carmelita Miller, Legal Counsel, The Greenlining Institute
  • Ben Brown, Senior Program Manager, On Bill Financing, Pacific Gas & Electric Company
  • Siew Yee Lee, Business Development Officer, Minority Business Development Agency

Presentations:

California Energy Commission Updates: Building Energy Use Benchmarking Program (AB 802)

California has launched its Statewide Benchmarking Program under AB 802 which was approved by the Governor in 2015. With the regulations enacted in April of 2018, and enforcement commencing June 1st, 2018 building owners must submit benchmarking data to the California Energy Commission. Learn the long awaited details on compliance procedures, available resources, intersection with existing local government ordinances, and participate in Q&A directly with the California Energy Commission staff. The conversation will wrap up with how benchmarking is uniquely applied in the local government sector.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Marc Costa, Policy & Regulatory Manager, The Energy Coalition
  • Erik Jensen, Energy Specialist, California Energy Commission
  • Daniele Horton, Founder and President, Verdani Partners
  • Barry Hooper, Green Built Environment Senior Coordinator, City of San Francisco
  • Sarah Farell, Energy Policy Advisor, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization

Presentations:

    

Role of Renewable Gas in Climate Action and Resiliency Planning

What are PG&E and SoCalGas doing to help cities and counties achieve their climate action and resiliency goals? How can communities combine organic waste diversion with renewable energy development while reducing emissions from transportation? How can utilities assist local governments embarking on resiliency plans and incorporating climate adaptation strategies into their General Plans? Please join to learn about existing utility programs as well as R+D efforts related to: renewable gas (organic waste, landfills, wastewater, dairies, agriculture), Power-to-Gas and renewable hydrogen technologies, renewable gas vehicles and fueling infrastructure, and distributed energy resources (fuel cells, combined heat and power systems)

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Geoffrey Danker, Franchise, Fees & Planning Manager, SoCalGas
  • David Lewis, Director, Wholesale Marketing & Business Development, Pacific Gas & Electric

Presentations:

Partnering with Chambers of Commerce to Reach the Business Community

This session will have a brief presentation and a panel discussion. The speakers will represent local government and the business community bringing chamber of commerce representatives and a business representative, the discussion will be facilitated by a representative from the local utility SDG&E. The panel will speak about the journey of the cities of Chula Vista and National City in becoming energy efficiency outreach partners in the local business community.

Speaker Roster:

  • Moderator: Eric Drabb, Local Government Partnership Advisor, San Diego Gas & Electric
  • Barbara Locci, Conservation Specialist, City of Chula Vista
  • Jacqueline Reinoso, President and CEO, National City Chamber of Commerce
  • Lisa Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce
  • Dee Baker, Director of Sales, Pery Plumbing Heating & Air

Presentations:

Drivers of Change Analysis for Cities GHG Emissions Inventories

Since the mid-1990s, local governments have engaged in periodic inventories of municipal and community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the ultimate goal of achieving emission reductions. The field has matured with documented protocols for performing and reporting inventories, and many communities are now conducting inventory updates to establish trends. ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the City of Bellevue Washington, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Cities Leading through Energy Analysis and Planning (Cities-LEAP) Program, are creating methods and tools to attribute changes between two inventories to the impacts of policies and programs along with other external drivers, such as economic activity and weather. Specifically, ICLEI has developed a “contribution analysis” that is now in testing by a set of participating communities. By eliminating as much uncertainty as possible through normalizing for factors like weather and economic activity that isolate out the “noise” of external factors, the impact of actions or programs can be reasonably inferred.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Hoi-Fei Mok, Program Officer, ICLEI USA
  • Garrett Wong, Senior Sustainability Analyst, City of Santa Monica
  • Mike Steinhoff, Program Manager, Tools & Technical Innovation, ICLEI USA

Presentations:

Microgrids for Community Resilience: Integrating Generation, Storage and Interoperability

Recent disasters have driven home the importance of maintaining energy service to critical systems: water, communications, refuges, life safety systems, etc.  Microgrids, including energy generation, storage and grid inter-operability, can provide resilience and reliability for vital public safety, communications and economic functions.  This session will explore the experiences of three microgrid implementers from diverse situations: their motivations, decision-making, cost/benefit and risk/benefit criteria, and their key take-aways and advice.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Margaret Bruce, Program Manager, Local Government Commission
  • Rachel DiFranco, Sustainability Manager & Smart City Co-Facilitator, City of Fremont
  • Dr. Shelly Morr, Superintendent, Santa Rita Unified School District
  • Matthew Marshall, Executive Director, Redwood Coast Energy Authority

Presentations:

Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs: Evolving Policy, Requirements, and Challenges

So, you think you’re ready to implement efficiency? You’ve gathered buy-in and perhaps earmarked a potential project, and you are counting on incentives to bridge funding gaps and maximize performance. But, have you considered how the evolution of energy policy and technologies will impact your project? Amidst growing scrutiny of efficiency projects moving through utility incentive programs, public agencies that have previously leveraged ratepayer resources to overcome barriers to adoption are meeting new obstacles along the path to implementation. This session will open with a presentation on the origins and evolution of efficiency programs and will include a highlight of the end-user experiences gathered from agencies who have leveraged ratepayer resources to achieve efficiency. Its goal is to serve as an educational forum and workshop for sharing dialogue among local government customers, energy efficiency program implementers and service providers, IOU program stakeholders and California Public Utilities Commission staff.

Speaker Roster:

  • Moderator: Laurel Rothschild, Director, The Energy Coalition
  • Nils Strindberg, Energy Division, California Public Utilities Commission
  • John Rossi, Program Manager, TRC Solutions
  • Brendan Havenar-Daughton, Local Government Energy Efficiency Strategy Lead, Pacific Gas & Electric Company
  • Athena Besa, Manager, San Diego Gas & Electric

Presentations:

Reaching Up and Out: Advancing Reach Codes Together

Local governments frequently adopt amendments to the California Building Code (sometimes called reach codes) to leverage jurisdictions’ ability to act quickly to advance energy efficiency and emissions reduction goals. Especially in growing areas, reach codes ensure inclusion of desirable measures and capture otherwise untapped cost-effective savings. This session provides an overview of the adoption process, documentation requirements, and shared experiences from other jurisdictions.  The session also introduces resources to streamline adoption to help individual jurisdictions “scale up” the reach code mountain, and “scale out”, enabling many jurisdictions to leverage one set of materials rather than duplicating the process each time.

Speaker Roster:

  • Moderator: Misti Bruceri, Principal, Misti Bruceri & Associates, LLC
  • Christopher Kuch, Codes and Standards Engineer, Southern California Edison
  • Ingrid Neumann, Associate Energy Specialist, California Energy Commission
  • Mike Grim, Senior Programs Manager, City of Carlsbad
  • Lindsey Tillisch, Program Manager, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
  • Garrett Wong, Senior Sustainability Analyst, City of Santa Monica

Presentations:

Top Measures to Accelerate Local Clean Energy Programs: How to Push the Envelope on a Budget

Local governments across California play a vital role in shaping the state’s energy future and advancing sustainability. Leading municipalities have developed innovative and cost effective ordinances and programs to drive adoption of energy efficient technologies, renewable energy systems, and electric vehicles. We researched the most innovative local government efforts that serve as ideal models for other communities to adopt towards their climate action plan and clean energy goals. This panel will highlight our top findings on the best practices, costs, and benefits for encouraging development of a clean energy future across five areas: energy efficiency, renewable energy, zero net energy, energy storage, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The panel will also discuss how model policies can be adapted for local use in the most cost-effective way. Our project team engaged cities and stakeholders throughout San Mateo County to determine which clean energy policies were most appealing. The team then did an extensive cost – benefit and carbon analysis of eight clean energy programs that could become model ordinances to support EVs, solar carports, electric heat pumps, time of sale energy audits and efficiency measures for new commercial buildings. The project also includes case studies of the most advanced energy facilities that already exist, such as Stanford University’s district scale heat recovery system. We will explore different models and case studies that could be combined and adapted to create model advanced energy communities within a reasonable budget. This work was done in collaboration with the Clean Coalition and several dozen other partners of the Peninsula Advanced Energy Community (PAEC) initiative funded by the California Energy Commission.

Speaker Roster:

  • Moderator: Cary Garcia, Statewide Local Government Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator, Local Government Commission
  • Diane Bailey, Executive Director, Menlo Spark
  • Betty Seto, Sustainable Buildings and Communities Department Head, DNV GL
  • Justine Burt, Founder and CEO, Appraccel

Presentations:

Controlled Environment Agriculture: Facility Types, Carbon Footprint and Electricity Benchmarking

Fresh, year-round fruits, vegetables and herb cultivation is driving controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facility development.  The two new “decentralized agriculture” facility types are high-tech greenhouses and indoor warehouse grows. Energy efficiency for greenhouse and indoor horticulture is challenging to predict on an annual PSF basis, but it’s relatively simple to monitor.  Dimmable lights and complex HVAC systems are crop and site dependent. Can we benchmark a “carbon footprint” for crop by benchmarking the facility? How do we handle reporting? What’s the reward for farms who achieve annual net positive energy and net negative carbon? One in three shoppers will pay 25% more for “local”.  How shall we approach carbon labeling and reward CEA farmers for achieving energy efficiency? Come see the latest examples and CEA case studies from across California!

Speaker Roster:

  • Moderator: Liz Yager, Program Manager, County of Sonoma Energy and Sustainability Division
  • Nicholas Maderas, Owner, F4DESIGN
  • Stefan McCulloch, Owner, iPonix

Presentations:

A Recipe for Making a ZNE Building: Lessons Learned from New Construction and Existing Building Renovations

Faced with the reality of changing codes and energy reduction requirements, the County of San Diego and the City of San Diego have been proactively practicing Zero Net Energy. The County chose to start practicing early, with two new ZNE facilities already occupied and 4 more in the making. The City was awarded a grant to retrofit several existing buildings to demonstrate cost-effective pathways in the small commercial and municipal building sector. These local governments have learned some hard lessons about why the process of getting a ZNE building is very different from any other industry-standard building. A recipe of best practices will be presented for getting from the idea of ZNE to occupancy and on into performance monitoring and certification.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Susan Freed, Project Manager, County of San Diego
  • Bryan Olson, Senior Civil Engineer- Energy & Sustainability, City of San Diego

Presentations:

Youth Engagement for Climate Action Implementation

Many California communities have robust climate action goals, but lack the resources necessary to achieve them. By leveraging the unbridled enthusiasm of the youth population, the City of Fremont, Strategic Energy Innovations, Rising Sun Energy Center, and The Energy Coalition have proven successful in implementing environmental sustainability efforts while also providing climate literacy and green training opportunities. The speakers will discuss an array of effective engagement projects, programs, and strategies that empower youth, foster community connections, provide workforce development opportunities, and deliver on climate action targets, all while providing a fun and meaningful experience for kids!

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Rachel DiFranco, Sustainability Manager, City of Fremont
  • Chelsea Marcell, CivicSpark Climate Fellow, City of Fremont
  • Emily Courtney, Program Director, Education, Strategic Energy Innovations
  • Rachael Van Schoik, Project Coordinator, The Energy Coalition
  • Julia Hatton, Director of Programs, Rising Sun Energy Center

Presentations:

Leading by Example: Municipal Zero Net Energy

Local governments throughout the state are beginning to practice Zero Net Energy (ZNE) in their facilities to help meet GHG reduction goals, and the goals set by SB350.  This panel describes different approaches to ZNE municipal buildings and portfolios, ranging from large-scale ZNE plans to municipal ordinances to building or retrofitting individual municipal buildings. From design through implementation, this panel will provide practical tools and stories to assist other local jurisdictions to explore a range of approaches to ZNE.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Chris Nanson, LGP Program Adviser, San Diego Gas & Electric
  • Susan Freed, Project Manager, County of San Diego
  • Betty Seto, Sustainable Buildings and Communities Department Head, DNV GL
  • Rachael Londer, Energy Efficiency Specialist, County of San Mateo
  • Barry Hooper, Green Built Environment Senior Coordinator, San Francisco Department of the Environment

Presentations”

How Community Choice Agencies Can Advance Energy Efficiency Goals

This session will explore the challenges and opportunities for local governments advancing energy efficiency goals via Community Choice agencies (CCAs). There are now over a dozen operational CCAs in California with more on the way. CCAs can initiate self-funded programs, and also have the statutory authority to receive public benefit funds in order to fund and administer efficiency programs. The session will highlight CCAs that have acted on this and explore the potential that all such agencies, prospective and operational, have in this regard. Many of the newly operational and emerging agencies are considering to self-fund as well as the option to elect to receive state EE funds.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Woody Hastings, Energy Program Manager, Center for Climate Protection
  • Kathy Wells, Energy Projects Coordinator, Lancaster Choice Energy
  • Alice Stover, Director of Customer Programs, MCE Clean Energy
  • Rick Brown, President, TerraVerde Energy, LLC

Presentations:

Driving Forward: Accelerating Opportunity and Equity for Communities through EVs

Low-income communities often lack access to zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs), yet clean transportation solutions are most needed in these mobility deserts. When designed with equity as a goal – and not an afterthought – ZEV programs can simultaneously address the challenges of air quality, equity, and opportunity access. In Sacramento, public, private, and non-profit partnerships are developing California’s first low-income ZEV car-share, micro-transit, community charging, and other innovative programs. Panelists will share how Sacramento’s collaborative model has positioned the region for ZEV deployment, working from a regional policy framework to on-the-ground pilots and projects, and discuss lessons learned, successful partnerships, financing, and scalability.

Speaker Roster:

  • Moderator: Raef Porter, Climate and Energy Team Manager, Sacramento Area Council of Governments
  • Jennifer Venema, Sustainability Manager, City of Sacramento
  • Steffani Charkiewicz, Air Quality Engineer, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
  • Judy Robinson, Sustainability Manager, County of Sacramento
  • Simeon Gant, Executive Director, Greentech Education & Employment

Presentations:

Posters

8th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

June 14-15, 2017 | Fresno, CA

Plenaries | Breakout Sessions: Policy and Planning | Breakout Sessions: Best Practices | Breakout Sessions: Technology and Tools | Posters

View Forum Program
2017 Theme: Bridging the Gap

This year’s forum will focus on Bridging the Gap. Organizers will aim to feature topics that highlight approaches and strategies that catalyze local energy and sustainability action to close gaps in planning to implementation, data and technology, policy to practice, urban and rural, and more! For the first time, we are opening a call for session proposals to encourage participants to share innovative strategies and lessons learned that demonstrate how their agency is working to close gaps to save energy and achieve local sustainability goals.

Plenaries

Opening Plenary Session: The Path to 2030 (video | powerpoint)

Save Money, Save the World – The Next Level of Energy Efficiency (video | powerpoint)

Grid 2.0 (video | powerpoint)

Bridging the Mitigation-Adaptation Gap (video | powerpoint)
Breakout Sessions: Policy and Planning

CA Climate Investments: Putting Cap-and-Trade Dollars to Work (session notes | powerpoint)

Demystifying Energy Benchmarking in the Age of AB 802 for Public Agencies (powerpoint)

Reaching Towards Zero: Local Energy Ordinances Forge a Path (session notes | powerpoint)

The Cannabis Industry and Energy (session notes | powerpoint)

Breakout Sessions: Best Practices

Driving Energy Savings in Businesses Through Behavioral Changes and Business Licenses (session notes | powerpoint)

Energy Efficiency and Adaptation: Coordination for Mutually Beneficial Outcomes (session notes | powerpoint)

Environmental Justice and Energy: Strategies For Collaborating With Vulnerable Communities (session notes | powerpoint)

Getting to Net-Zero Energy in Affordable Multifamily (session notes | powerpoint)

Replicable Water-Energy Solutions (session notes | powerpoint)

The Seven Habits of Highly-Effective Municipal Sustainability Professionals (session notes | powerpoint)

Varied Approaches, Unifying Goals: Behavior Change & Local Government Partnerships (session notes | powerpoint)

Breakout Sessions: Technology and Tools

ClearPath: Best Practices for Climate Action Planning, Implementation, and Tracking (session notes | powerpoint)

Live Demo – Public Tools to Improve Building Energy Efficiency (session notes | powerpoint)

Unlocking the Potential of Smart Cities for Smart Energy Efficiency (session notes | powerpoint)

Posters

7th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

June 15-16, 2016 | Riverside, CA

Plenaries | Breakout Sessions: Financing and Funding | Breakout Sessions: Implementation Approaches | Breakout Sessions: Outreach and Engagement | Breakout Sessions: Regulatory Processes and Compliance | Breakout Sessions: Technologies | Posters

View Forum Program
Plenaries

Creating a Vision for California: A Conversation with State Leaders (video)

The State of Local Climate Action in California (video)

Prioritizing Justice: Making an Equitable Transition for All Californians (video)

Breakout Sessions: Financing and Funding

Getting a Piece of the Cap-and-Trade Pie

Innovative Financing for Energy Efficiency

Developing a Sustainable Internal Fund to Sustain Your Impact

Breakout Sessions: Implementation Approaches

Integrated Planning to Leverage Limited Resources and Maximize Results

It’s Better Together: Regional Collaboration to Advance Climate and Energy Initiatives

The EE Foundation of Integrated Demand-Side Management

Gaining Efficiencies at the Water-Energy Nexus

Breakout Sessions: Outreach and Engagement

Motivating Energy Efficiency: Model Behavior Change Strategies

Engaging the Local Business Community

Breakout Sessions: Regulatory Processes and Compliance

What You Need to Know: key Updates on Hot Regulatory Topics

Code and Compliance Tools that Work

Beyond the Energy Code: Exploring the Value of Forging Ahead

Breakout Sessions: Technologies

Energy Efficiency and Demand Management in Planning EV Technologies

Applying Building Technologies to Realize Savings

Energy Efficiency and the Integration of Distributed Energy Resources

Posters

6th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

June 17-18, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
View Forum Program

Morning Plenary – Working Together to Meet New Goals: A Conversation with State PartnersThis plenary session will feature a facilitated discussion with key representatives from the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. The purpose of this plenary is to provide local governments from across the state an opportunity to hear from key state agencies about the state’s energy and climate change policies and the important role localgovernments play in helping the state meet its new and ambitious climate and energy goals.Video

Moderator: Joseph Oldham, Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator, LGC

  • Commissioner Carla Peterman, California Public Utilities Commission
  • Commissioner Andrew McAllister, California Energy Commission
  • Director Ken Alex, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research

Breakout Session #1: Your Roadmap to Success: Climate and Energy Strategic Planning at the Local LevelWith new policies and opportunities emerging around every corner, local government service and program implementers can often overlook the value of climate and energy strategic planning. How can local governments keep up with the ever-shifting political environment and changes in funding while developing a long-term plan that remains purposeful? At this session, we will get participants started in the strategic planning process then provide the tools and resources to support further implementation and execution.

Moderator: Joseph Oldham, Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator, LGC

  • Liz Yager, Energy and Sustainability Program Manager, County of Sonoma

Breakout Resources

Breakout Session #2: A Clear Path to Climate Action Planning: No-Cost Tools for Local Governments

Learn about the latest trends in Climate Action Planning and the tools and resources available to support local governments throughout the process. This session will dive into the challenges that local governments and regional agencies face, and the tools and best practices for overcoming these obstacles. Participants will learn about SEEC ClearPath California and additional no-cost tools and resources available to inform and track energy and climate action plans.

Moderator: Angie Fyfe, Director of Resource Efficiency & Renewable Energy Program, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA

  • Geoffrey Danker, Senior Policy and Planning Advisor, Southern California Gas Company
    Presentation PDF
  • J.R. Killigrew, National Membership Coordinator & Senior Climate Program Officer, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA
    Presentation PDF
  • Paul Ahrns, Project Manager, Sierra Business Council
    Presentation PDF
  • Tiffany Wise-West, Senior Environmental Engineer & Project Manager, EcoShift Consulting
    Presentation PDF

Breakout Resource:

Breakout Session #3: Reaching the “Hard-to-Reach”: Engaging Underserved Communities

Working in California’s most vulnerable and underserved communities is a priority for the state and for local governments. How can we ensure that our programs are bringing real benefits to these communities when reaching them in the first place has proven challenging? This session will present on case studies of successful programs, and share lessons learned and best practices. Participants will walk away with a stronger understanding of currently available programs and resources to implement and coordinate programs to engage underserved communities.

Moderator: Dave Christensen, Senior Program Manager, Government and Community Partnerships, Pacific Gas and Electric Company

  • Supervisor Pete Vander Poel, County of Tulare
    Presentation PDF
  • Robert Castaneda, CEO & Principal, Castaneda Communications
    Presentation PDF
  • Samantha Dodero, Program Administrator, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization
    Presentation PDF

Breakout Session #4: New Strategies for Old Buildings: Working in Existing Municipal Buildings

How can local governments achieve the goals of the AB 758 Plan and where do they start? Learn how to sell your project to the decision makers – with and without using hard metrics – and how to finance it. At this session, participants will be equipped with best practices and resources to successfully implement energy efficiency projects in existing municipal buildings and how to measure the results.

Moderator: Laurel Rothschild, Assistant Director, The Energy Coalition
Presentation PDF

  • Charles Herbertson, Director of Public Works & City Engineer, City of Culver
    Presentation PDF
  • Courtney Kalashian, Executive Director, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization
  • Howard Brewen, Superintendent, City of San Luis Obispo
    Presentation PDF

Working Session #1: A Race to the Bottom: Advancing Zero Net Energy
Zero Net Energy (ZNE) buildings have the unprecedented potential to create sustainable and healthy living, learning, and work environments in California – and they’re being created both at new and existing properties. During this hands-on session, participants will learn about market trends and California’s goals, how to carry ZNE strategic planning into action, and creative financing and planning strategies through interactive activities.Moderator: Ralph DiNola, Executive Director, New Buildings Institute
Presentation PDF

  • Cathy Fogel, Senior Analyst, California Public Utilities Commission
    Presentation PDF
  • Kevin Bates, President, SHARP Development Company
    Presentation PDF
  • Roy Haperman, Energy Manger, County of Santa Barbara
    Presentation PDF

Working Session #2: Making Your Messages Resonate: Communicating on Climate and Energy

Talking about climate change and energy can be a difficult task that results in dissonance and disagreement. How can we craft our message to resonate with our audience most effectively? This active session will guide participants through the key elements of communicating on climate and energy, and participants will learn how to improve their messaging through practice.

Moderator: Dan Barry, Communities Director, EcoAmerica

  • Catherine Hurley, Sustainability Manager, City of Evanston
    Presentation PDF
  • Stephanie Gray, Marketing Manager, West Region, Conservation Services Group

Working Session Resource:

Working Session #3: Do It, Track It, Share It: Tools for Implementation, Monitoring, and Reporting

Once you develop your local climate action plan, you’re ready to implement the policies and measures outlined in your plan – but where to start? This working session will provide participants with a walkthrough of the available tools for implementation, as well as for monitoring and reporting. Participants will learn about a suite of tools, available to local governments at no cost, as well as about different tools that have been developed and deployed by local and regional entities across California.

Moderator: Karalee Browne, Program Manager, Institute for Local Government
Presentation PDF

  • Christine O’Rourke, Sustainability Coordinator, Marin Climate & Energy Partnership
    Presentation PDF
  • Cory Downs, Conservation Specialist, City of Chula Vista
    Presentation PDF
  • J.R. Killigrew, National Membership Coordinator & Senior Climate Program Officer, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA
    Presentation PDF

Afternoon Plenary – Rethinking Energy: Innovations to Lead Us into the Future
This plenary session will feature a facilitated discussion on innovative approaches, ideas, and initiatives that are transforming how we think about energy efficiency and climate programs and policies.Moderator: Joseph Oldham, Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator, LGC

Video

  • Bob Raymer, Technical Director, California Building Industry Association
  • Dian Grueneich, Senior Research Scholar, Stanford University
  • Shannon Casey, Communications Director, Cleantech San Diego

5th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

June 19, 2014 | San Diego, CA
View Forum Program

Forum Welcome
Video

  • Kate Meis, Executive Director, Local Government Commission
  • Supervisor Ron Roberts, County of San Diego; ARB Boardmember
  • Caroline Winn, Vice President of Customer Services and Chief Customer Privacy Officer, San Diego Gas & Electric

Morning Plenary – Working Together to Innovate and Implement: A Conversation with Our State Partners

This plenary session will feature a facilitated discussion with key representatives from the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, the California Air Resources Board and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. The purpose of this plenary is to provide local governments from across the state an opportunity to hear from key state agencies about the state’s energy and climate change policies and the important role local governments play in helping the state meet
these climate and energy goals.
Video | Notes PDF
Moderator: Kate Meis, Executive Director, Local Government Commission

  • Commissioner Mike Florio, California Public Utilities Commission
  • Commissioner Andrew McAllister, California Energy Commission
  • Executive Officer Richard Corey, California Air Resources Board
  • Director Ken Alex, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research

Breakout #1: It’s All About the Money: Everything You Need to Know about Residential Energy Efficiency Financing [CM 1.00]Financing plays a critical role in the success of residential energy efficiency programs. This breakout session will provide an overview of key residential energy efficiency financing options. Participants will learn about the Bay REN’s Multifamily Financing Product, residential PACE programs, On Bill Repayment, and private sector financing opportunities. Participants will walk away with a stronger understanding of the available residential financing products and their similarities and differences.
Video
Moderator: Neal DeSnoo, City of Berkeley

Breakout #2: Sparking Their Interest: Developing Successful Business Outreach and Engagement Campaigns [CM 1.00]

This breakout session will provide attendees the opportunity to learn about developing business outreach and engagement campaigns. Participants will hear about successes and lesson learned from a marketing firm with experience in helping local governments develop business outreach campaigns, the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, and the Sierra Business Council.
Video

Moderator: Linda Pratt, City of San Diego
Presentation PDF

  • Stephanie Gray and Elisia Choi, Conservation Services Group
    Presentation PDF
  • Elisabeth Russell, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
    Presentation PDF
  • Greg Jones, Sierra Business Council
    Presentation PDF

Breakout #3: “Hot Topics” at the CPUC, CEC, CARB, and OPR [CM 1.00]

It can be challenging to stay up to date about all of the activities undertaken by State agencies. This breakout session will provide an overview of some of the “hot topics” at the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, the California Air Resources Board and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss these topics in more depth following brief presentations.
Video

Moderator: Courtney Kalashian, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization

  • Courtney Smith, California Air Resources Board
  • Louise Bedsworth, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
  • Jeremy Battis, California Public Utilities Commission
    Presentation PDF
  • Daniel Johnson, California Energy Commission
    Presentation PDF

Afternoon Plenary Session – Don’t Waste Your Energy: Adapting Our Energy System for a More Resilient Tomorrow [CM 1.00]Although California is actively working to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to minimize the impacts of climate change, we must also acknowledge that our climate is already changing and that our governments and communities need to respond urgently in order to reduce the impacts the changing climate will cause. This facilitated dialogue will provide local governments the opportunity to learn more about the potential climate impacts on energy infrastructure, the role of energy efficiency in supporting resiliency in our communities, and the opportunity to marry mitigation and adaptation activities and see the long term resiliency benefits while also creating a more robust energy system. Local governments will also walk away with a better understanding of how they can support a more resilient energy system in their community.Moderator: Nicola Hedge, San Diego Foundation.
Video

  • Brendan Reed, City of Chula Vista
  • Robert Anderson, San Diego Gas and Electric
  • Jonathan Parfrey, Climate Resolve

Breakout #4: Every Drop Counts: Local Action to Save Energy, Water and Money[CM 1.00]Water related energy use accounts for approximately 19% of California’s electricity usage, emphasizing the opportunity to conserve energy through water efficiency measures. And with California facing an extreme drought, saving water is even more important to pursue. This breakout session will provide an overview of the water -­‐ energy nexus, including a regulatory update, as well as share successes and lessons learned from local agencies that are implementing programs that aim to save both energy and water.
VideoModerator: Rory Cox, California Public Utilities Commission
Presentation PDF

  • Lori Swanson, San Diego County Water Authority
    Presentation PDF
  • Scott Miller, City of Westminster
    Presentation PDF
  • Misty Mersich, Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority and Chris Bradt, BKI
    Presentation PDF

Breakout #5: Getting to Zero in the Municipal Sector [CM 1.00]

Pursuing zero net energy buildings is a critical strategy to help California reach its’ bold climate and energy goals. This breakout session will allow participants to learn more about, and discuss, pursuing zero net energy in the municipal sector, both through new construction as well as through the retrofit of existing buildings. It will also highlight the policies, activities, and strategies that local entities are utilizing to gain support and move toward more municipal ZNE buildings.
Video

Moderator: Cathy Fogel, California Public Utilities Commission
Presentation PDF

  • Dave Hewitt, New Buildings Institute
    Presentation PDF
  • Neal De Snoo, City of Berkeley and Gerard Lee, Harley Ellis Devereaux
    Presentation PDF
  • Chip Fox, San Diego Gas and Electric
    Presentation PDF

Breakout #6: Just Do It: Implementing Your Climate Action Plans [CM 1.00]

Developing climate action plans is only the first step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in your community. Once the plan is approved, local entities must begin the challenging and long -­‐ term effort of implementing the plan. This session will provide participants the opportunity to hear about successes and lessons learned from communities across California who are in the process of implementing their climate action plans. Following these short presentations, participants will have the opportunity to engage in in -­‐ depth table discussions to share their climate action plan implementation experiences.
Video

Moderator: Jillian Rich, Pacific Gas and Electronic Company

Breakout #7: Hot State, Cool Roofs: Working with the CEC and Utilities to Mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect [CM 1.00]

Urban Heat Islands can have significant health, economic, ecological and social impacts on our local communities. This session will highlight the benefits of Cool Roofs for mitigating Urban Heat Island effects, including an overview of the California Energy Commission’s review process for Locally Adopted Reach Codes, and will provide awareness of free technical assistance available to support locally adopted cool roof ordinances through the Statewide Codes & Standards Subprogram.
Video

Moderator: Javier Mariscal, Southern California Edison
Presentation PDF

4th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

June 20, 2013 | Sacramento, CA

Welcome

  • Steve Malnight, Vice President of Customer Energy Solutions, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
  • Elisabeth Brinton, Chief Customer Officer, SMUD

State and Local Partners for a Clean, Green California

  • Commissioner Andrew McAllister, California Energy Commission
    Presentation PDF
  • Commissioner Mark Ferron, California Public Utilities Commission
    Presentation PDF

Video

Table Discussions

  • What is your top energy/climate change priority?
  • What is the number one thing that the state could do to support this priority?

Report Back
Video

Breakout #1—Effectively Working With Your Partners at the State: What You Need to Know About the CEC, CARB, CPUC, and OPR

(CM 1.25, Beavis)

It can be challenging to stay up to date about all of the activities undertaken by State a gencies, and even more challenging to determine the best way to engage. This breakout session will provide an overview of local government energy efficiency and climate change programs, tools and resources from the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, the California Air Resources Board and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. Participants will walk away from this session with a greater understanding ofactivities currently taking place at the state and how to best engage.
Video

Moderator: Lindsay Buckley, Program Coordinator, Institute for Local Government

  • Jeremy Battis, Local Government Programs Lead Analyst, California Public Utilities Commission
    Presentation PDF
  • Dana Papke Waters, Air Pollution Specialist, California Air Resources Board
    Presentation PDF
  • Deborah Godfrey, Manager, Special Projects Office, California Energy Commission
    Presentation PDF
    Resource Links PDF
  • Michael McCormick, Local and Regional Affairs Advisor, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research

Breakout #2—Making Energy Efficiency Projects Pencil Out: Financing Options for Local Governments, Businesses and Residents

(CM 1.25, Bataglieri)

Financing plays a critical role in the success of energy efficiency programs. This breakout session will provide an overview of key energy efficiency financing options for local governments, businesses and residents. Participants will learn about Western Riverside Council of Government’s HERO residential and commercial PACE program, multifamily energy efficiency financing, and California Energy Efficiency Finance Project proposed pilots.
Video

Moderator: Frank Spasaro, Manager, Energy Efficiency Partnerships and Finance, Southern California Gas Company

  • Heather Larson, Green Building Program Manager, StopWaste
    Presentation PDF
  • Barbara Spoonhour, Director of Energy and Environmental Programs, Western Riverside Council of Governments
    Presentation PDF
  • Matthew Brown, Principal, Harcourt Brown & Carey
    Presentation PDF

Breakout #3—Bright Ideas in Energy Efficiency: Developing Successful Community and Business Outreach Programs

(CM 1.25, Compagno)

This breakout session will provide attendees information to develop successful, regionally relevant community and business outreach programs. Participants will hear successes and lesson learned from the California Center for Sustainable Energy’s community outreach programs for Energy Upgrade California, Redwood Coast Energy Authority’s small business program and the Port of San Diego’s green business competition and network.
Video

Moderator: Jillian Rich, Program Manager, Pacific Gas and Electric Company

  • Siobhan Foley, Director, California Center for Sustainable Energy
    Presentation PDF
    Fact Sheet PDF
  • Matthew Marshall, Executive Director, Redwood Coast Energy Authority
    Presentation PDF
  • Cody Hooven, Senior Environmental Specialist, Port of San Diego
    Presentation PDF

Keynote Address (Camellia/Gardenia)
Video

  • Ken Alex, Director, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and Senior Advisor to Governor Jerry Brown

Breakout #1—Connecting the Dots: Local Projects that Save Energy and Water

(CM 1.25, Beavis)

Water related energy use accounts for approximately 19% of California’s electricity usage, emphasizing the opportunity to conserve energy through water efficiency measures. This breakout session will provide an overview of the water- energy connection, utility programs and local case studies, including Windsor’s on-bill financing Pay As You Save program and the West Basin Municipal Water District’s water energy programs.
Video

Moderator: Meredith Younghein, Water/Energy Analyst, California Public Utilities Commission
Presentation PDF

Breakout #2—Multi-Jurisdictional Partnerships: Leveraging Resources Through Regional Networks

(CM 1.25, Bataglieri)

Local governments throughout California are collaborating to share expertise and leverage resources. This session will provide an overview of three regional energy efficiency and climate change efforts, including the Bay Area Regional Energy Network, the Southern California Regional Energy Network, and the San Diego Regional Energy Partnership. Speakers will provide a short overview of their program, accomplishments to date and information about accessing program resources.
Video

Moderator: Kate Meis, Associate Director, Local Government Commission

  • Jerry Lahr, Energy Programs Manager, Association of Bay Area Governments (Bay REN)
    Presentation PDF
  • Howard Choy, General Manager, Office of Sustainability, County of Los Angeles (SoCal REN)
    Presentation PDF
  • Brendan Reed, Environmental Resource Manager, City of Chula Vista (San Diego REP)
  • Linda Pratt, Chief Program Manager, City of San Diego (San Diego REP)
    Presentation PDF
  • Naila Ahmed, Senior Program Manager, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
  • Robert Brunn, Senior Project Manager, Southern California Edison

Breakout #3—Local Governments Taking Action: Highlighting Best Practices at Each Step in the Climate Action Planning Process

(CM, 1.25, Compagno)

Local governments across California are leading the way on climate action planning. Come to this session to hear best practices from each step in the process. Participants will learn about developing inventories and climate action plans, overcoming political barriers, prioritizing strategies, keeping momentum post plan adoption, tracking and monitoring results, and engaging the community in an ongoing dialogue to evaluate progress. Regardless of where you are at in the climate action planning process, you will take something away from this session.
Video

Moderator: Amruta Sudhalkar, Program Officer, ICLEI

  • Inventories and Setting Up Climate Action Plans
    • Steve Frisch, President, Sierra Business Council
    • Nicholas Martin, Program Director, Sierra Business Council
      Presentation PDF
  • Implementing Climate Action Plans
    • Cal Broomhead, Climate and Energy Programs Manager, City and County of San Francisco
      Presentation PDF
  • Monitoring and Tracking Climate Action Plans

3rd Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

July 19, 2012 | Los Angeles, CA

Welcome Plenary
Video

  • Senator Ted Lieu, California State Senate
  • Hal Snyder, Sempra Energy Utility
  • Gene Rodrigues, Southern California Edison

State Overview

  • Commissioner Andrew McAllister, California Energy Commission
  • Jeanne Clinton, California Public Utilities Commission
  • Ryan McCarthy, California Air Resources Board

Table Discussions
Notes (PDF)

  • Where do local governments see themselves 3-5 years down the road in
    relation to the energy and climate action planning goals discussed by the
    state panelists?
  • What tools and resources will you need to address these priority areas?
    What is on your wish list besides staff and resources?

Breakout #1—Compliance, Tools & Synchronization: A Guide to Climate Action Planning Resources in California(Salon ABC, CM 1.5)
Facilitator: Lianna Rios, San Diego Gas and Electric
Video

  • Tabetha Willmon, California Air Resources Board
    Presentation (PDF)
  • Amruta Sudhalkar, ICLEI
    Presentation (PDF)
  • Michael McCormick, Office of Planning and Research
    Presentation (PDF)

Breakout #2—Financing

(Burgandy/Bordeaux, CM 1.5)

Facilitator/Presenter: Frank Spasaro, Southern California Gas
Video | Presentation (PDF)

Breakout #3—Helping Local Governments Work With Businesses

(Colombard/Moselle, CM 1.5)

Facilitator: Yvonne Hunter, Institute for Local Government
Video

  • Cruz Ramos, City of San Joaquin
    Presentation (PDF)
  • Ann Kelly, City and County of San Francisco
    Presentation (PDF)
  • Sona Kalapura, City of Manhattan Beach

Recognition of Beacon Participants (Salon ABC)
Video | Presentation (PDF)

Breakout #1—Reach Codes(Burgandy/Bordeaux, CM 1.5)Facilitator: Javier Mariscal, Southern California Edison
Video

  • Martha Brook, California Energy Commission
    Presentation (PDF)
  • Jim Guerra, City of Goleta
  • Steve Davis, Redwood City

Breakout #2—Energy Upgrade California

(Salon ABC, CM 1.5)

Facilitator: Jonathan Budner, Southern California Edison
Video

Breakout #3—SMART Grid Technology to Catalyze Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions

(Colombard/Moselle, CM 1.5)

Facilitator: Robert Graham, Southern California Edison
Video

Keynote (Salon ABC)
Video

  • Allison Joe, Office of Planning and Research

2nd Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

July 28, 2011 | San Jose, CA

Morning Plenaries (Salons FGHJ)
Video | Audio (MP3)

Welcome

  • Mayor Chuck Reed, City of San Jose
  • Mark Krausse, Director of State Agency Relations for PG&E
  • Moderator: Pat Stoner, Statewide Local Government Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator

The Future of Energy and the Role of Local Governments

  • Commissioner Karen Douglas, California Energy Commission
  • Anthony Eggert, Deputy Secretary, California Environmental Protection Agency

Breakout #1—Climate Action Planning: New Champions (Salons FGHJ)
Facilitator: Yvonne Hunter, Program Director, Institute for Local Government
Video | Audio (MP3)

  • Al Armijo, Director of Planning Services City of Aliso Viejo
    Presentation (PDF)
  • Debra van Duynhoven, Assistant to the City Manager for Sustainability, City of Palo Alto
    Presentation (PDF)

Breakout #2—Sustainable Financing (Salons KLM)
Facilitator: Greg Hayes, Consultant, California State Senate Select Committee on the Environment
Video | Audio (MP3)

  • Revolving Energy Fund: Mary Tucker, Environmental Services Specialist, City of San Jose
  • Revolving Energy Fund: Janet Purchase, Energy Manager, Riverside County
    Presentation (PDF)
  • PACE Financing: Liz Yager, Energy & Sustainability Manager, Sonoma County
    Presentation     (PDF)

Breakout #3—Benchmarking Best Practices (Salons DE)
Facilitator: Nancy Jenkins, Manager, SCE
Video | Audio (MP3)

  • Courtney Kalashian, Associate Executive Director, Valley Innovative Energy Watch
    Presentation (PDF)
  • Maria Sanders, Environmental Analyst, City of El Cerrito
    Presentation (PDF)

Networking Lunch
Resources Tables in Mezzanine Foyer: CEC, CARB, CPUC, PG&E, SCE, SCG, SDG&ESonoma County Energy Watch VideoRecognition of Beacon Awardees – Presentation (PDF)

Afternoon Plenary: New Partners to Achieve Energy Savings (Salons FGHJ)
Video | Audio (MP3)

Energy Makeover Cities: Partnering with Business

  • Nancy McKeever, Air Resources Specialist, California Air Resources Board
    Presentation (PDF)
  • Karly Katona, Deputy to Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, County of Los Angeles
    Presentation (PDF)

Breakout #1—Energy Upgrade California (Salons ABC)
Facilitator: Margaret Bruce, Vice President, Ecology Action
Video | Audio (MP3)

  • Jack Clark, Senior Program Manager, California Center for Sustainable Energy
    Presentation     (PDF)
  • Joseph Oldham, Sustainability Manager, City of Fresno
    Presentation (PDF)

Breakout #2—Climate Action Planning Advanced Track (Salons FGHJ)
Facilitator: Monica Gilchrist, Interim California Director, ICLEI
Video | Audio (MP3)

  • James Caruso, Senior Planner, County of San Luis Obispo
    Presentation     (PDF)
  • Garrett Fitzgerald, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Oakland
    Presentation     (PDF)

Breakout #3—Technology Best Practices (Salons KLM)
Facilitator: Frank Spasaro, Manager of Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Southern California Gas Company
Video | Audio (MP3)

  • Energy Technology Assistance Program: Forest Kaser, Program Manager, Energy Solutions
    Presentation (PDF)
  • Street Lighting: Brendan Reed, Environmental Resource Manager, City of Chula Vista
    Presentation (PDF)
  • Street Lighting: Linda Pratt, Chief Program Manager, City of San Diego
    Presentation     (PDF)

Keynote

John Laird, Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency
Video | Audio (MP3)

1st Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

October 14, 2010 | Burbank, CA

Transitioning to a Green Economy

Energy Upgrade California, AB-758 Retrofit Programs, and ARRA Funds

  • Panama Bartholomy, Advisor to Commissioner Karen Douglas, California Energy Commission (Presentation, Flash)

SEEC: Reducing Energy Use and Greenhouse Gases in Your Community

Moderator: Lynne Galal, Manager, Green Communities and Innovator Pilots, Pacific Gas and Electric

  • Michael Schmitz, California Director, ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA
  • Lindsay Buckley, Program Coordinator, California Climate Action Network, Institute for Local Government (Presentation, PDF)
  • Kate Meis, Director of Climate Change & Energy Programs, Local Government Commission (Presentation, PDF)

Comprehensive Municipal Energy Projects

  • Sam Ruark, Local Government Partnership Program Manager, Sonoma County (Presentation, PDF)
  • Meredith Reynolds, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Long Beach

Green Building Policies and Programs

Moderator: Javier Mariscal, Southern California Edison (Presentation, PDF)

  • George Estrella, Chief Building Official, City of Santa Barbara (Presentation, PDF)
  • Alelia Parenteau, Energy Analyst, City of Santa Barbara
  • Bob Brown, Community Development Director, City of San Rafael (Presentation, PDF)

Climate Action Planning: Inventories, Targets, Plans, Policies & Tracking

Moderator: Michael Schmitz, California Director of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA

  • Timothy Burroughs, Climate Action Coordinator, City of Berkeley (Presentation, PDF)
  • Brendan Reed, Environmental Resource Manager, Chula Vista (Presentation, PDF)

Green Jobs Through Energy Efficiency Programs

Moderator: Yvonne Hunter, Program Director, California Climate Action Network, Institute for Local Government

  • Charlie Buck, Special Projects Associate, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governmenst (Presentation, PDF)
  • Betony Jones, Managing Partner, Fourth Sector Strategies (Presentation, PDF)

Putting Together a Residential Retrofit Program

Moderator: Maril Pitcock, Manager, Government Partnerships, Pacific Gas & Electric

  • Joseph Oldham, Sustainability Manager, City of Fresno (Presentation, PDF)
  • Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager, City of Palm Desert (Presentation, PDF)