Anne Evens

Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are integral to the fight for environmental justice. As money from the IRA flows into the country, many developers are faced with the question of how to convince communities to get on board with their new projects. Despite their opposition usually being disregarded as NIMBYism, research shows that opposition is usually rooted in real concerns. Especially in historically underserved communities where energy infrastructure has resulted in a variety of negative impacts. However, to move forward with the energy transition rebuilding trust with these communities is essential. Particularly because most of the development is occurring in these former fossil fuel towns. Not only is transparency and educating the community important, but so is opening the floor for communication and negotiation. This is where CBAs come into play. Check out our website to learn more about how communities can guarantee new projects act in their best interest. ☀️ Community engagement is essential for a speedy and just transition. Follow us for more energy equity news. https://buff.ly/45Lqgmu #justice #action #localizedclimateaction #energytransition #socialimpact #equity #equityandinclusion #renewableenergy #solarenergy #climatechange #technology #innovation

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(2/5: Home retrofits in #Budget2024) In the Retrofit Reset brief (see link below), the Affordability Action Council recommended that the federal government launch a new program to offer free and turnkey retrofits for low-income households, while generating savings for renters by allowing private landlords with smaller, affordable buildings to access the program and requiring them to sign agreements to maintain or improve affordability.  #Budget2024 announced more details on the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, which received $800 million over 5 years, starting in 2025-26. This program will support direct installations of energy retrofits for low- to median-income households, and it will be co-delivered with provincial and territorial partners. The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program is accompanied by two other retrofit-related spending announcements: $73.5 million to improve energy efficiency tools for building owners and $30 million to continue developing a national approach to home energy labelling. These measures are promising because they will enable renters and homebuyers to consider energy costs in their long-term home affordability picture. The funding allocated to these measures is significantly less than the amounts previously allocated to Greener Homes programs yet is more targeted to low and median-income households.

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Michigan neighborhoods are uniting through community solar projects, making renewable energy accessible to all. These initiatives allow residents—including renters and those without suitable rooftops—to subscribe to shared solar arrays and receive credits on their utility bills. Major utilities like Consumers Energy have introduced programs such as Solar Gardens, enabling participation in solar farms across the state. Nonprofit organizations are also leading efforts to bring affordable solar power to underserved communities, promoting energy equity and local economic growth. By collaborating on these projects, Michigan communities are reducing energy costs, creating jobs, and contributing to a sustainable future. How can your neighborhood get involved in community solar? #Energy #CommunitySolar #Michigan #SolarPower #CleanEnergy Solar Energy and Community Projects: How Michigan Neighborhoods Are Going Green Together https://lnkd.in/gdXk2_u7

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🌿 The clean energy revolution is here, but how do we balance renewable energy with preserving our scenic landscapes? Learn why Visual Impact Assessments (VIA) are critical to getting clean energy projects approved and how Saratoga Associates is leading the way in shaping our sustainable future. 🌍💡 Read more in our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/eR4KwDUX #CleanEnergy #VisualImpact #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #VIA #EnvironmentalPlanning #SaratogaAssociates

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Local policies can either help or hinder community-led clean energy solutions — but according to a new report by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, most states are doing more hindering than helping. This year’s Community Power Scorecard from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance gives each U.S. state a letter grade based on their policies around community ownership of clean energy. The institute’s scorecard rubric includes two types of policies: those that support locally owned clean energy, and policies that stand in the way of community ownership. Out of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., none received an A, and only one — Illinois — got a B. In fact, just over half of states received a failing grade of F. Maria McCoy, a researcher with the Energy Democracy Initiative, says the benefits of policies that support community power initiatives can include both household-level energy savings and wealth-building opportunities. But they extend beyond that to benefit the community through things like more local jobs and resiliency in the face of extreme weather events. But overall there is still a lot of room for improvement across the country to help support community-led clean energy. https://lnkd.in/epmpBY53

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Did you celebrate Earth Day on Monday? From travel choices to home electrification to community advocacy, there is a lot individuals can do to take clean energy action. Our resource library is chock-full of how-to guides, social media assets, toolkits, and more, to help you bring clean energy to your community. Explore your options to level up your clean energy impact ➝ https://hubs.ly/Q02tZ_6x0

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The seventh The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) City Clean Energy Scorecard has been posted and Washington DC is a top-ranked city for Clean Energy building policies. The scorecard tracks adoption of clean energy plans, policies, and programs in 75 large U.S. cities, scoring these activities and ranking cities based on their scores. It compiles information on local policies and actions to advance energy efficiency—and decarbonization more broadly—across all energy sectors. #cleanenergy #buildings #decarbonization We are proud to be part of its success! Click the link to read more and to see additional cities that have also ranked! https://lnkd.in/eUn5uQCk

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CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.) knows that a changing climate puts us all at risk. That’s why they work with Mainers to reduce their carbon output and build climate resilience. CEI supports solutions that work for people and low-income communities in the following ways: - Financing solar installations on farms and small businesses - Investing in aquaculturists to diversify working waterfronts - Capitalizing resources for processing and distributing locally grown foods - And more! “We are a part of the Climate United coalition because climate isn’t just a Maine issue, it’s an everyone issue, and the more we work together, the better we can take on this challenge.” Learn more about their work: https://bit.ly/3RlDNwU

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In a new article from B The Change Media, #BCorps Green Hammer, Omnidian, and PosiGen “share how their unique services — from building design to solar optimization to equitable access — are collectively expanding the use and benefits of #RenewableEnergy.” https://lnkd.in/gZq6aDA6

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Achieving economy-wide decarbonization demands a targeted approach to reducing emissions from buildings. This comprehensive framework outlines four key policy pillars:  1️⃣ Equity and Workforce: Fostering community empowerment, inclusive workforce development, and clear metrics/goals.   2️⃣ Cap-and-Invest: Implementing clean heat standards, carbon reduction obligations, and funding mechanisms like cap-and-invest programs.   3️⃣ Codes and Standards: Establishing building energy codes, appliance efficiency standards, and equipment emission regulations.   4️⃣ Climate-forward Efficiency: Promoting clean heat and decarbonization programs, long-term planning, and utility regulation aligned with climate goals. Our new brief written in collaboration with NESCAUM and Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) outlines this multi-faceted strategy which offers a roadmap for states to drive building decarbonization. Read the full table brief here: https://lnkd.in/g5MfkhEX

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Enhance your energy planning with brand new features on the State and Local Planning for Energy (SLOPE) Platform! Energy Snapshots and Energy Planning Guides provide easy-to-understand summaries of key energy #data for counties and states. 📸 Use the Energy Snapshot tool to create a customized infographic of #CleanEnergy potential and opportunities. 🗺️ Dive into Energy Planning Guides to explore strategies focused on your priorities, including vehicle electrification, building #efficiency, equity, and renewable energy. Start planning your energy future on SLOPE ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gHTry7KD

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Labor Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the progress we've made in expanding good-paying, clean energy jobs. Thanks to landmark climate legislation — The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) — over 6,285 utility-scale clean energy projects are on track to create over 3,947,670 jobs. Unions and organized labor play a critical role in implementing the IRA in a way that maximizes high-quality job creation, advances equity by training a skilled and inclusive clean energy workforce, and ensures that clean energy projects actually get built. https://hubs.ly/Q02MJF6H0 #LaborDay Climate Jobs National Resource Center

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Upgrading transmission infrastructure is crucial for addressing grid capacity challenges. Despite significant cost reductions in solar and wind energy, outdated transmission infrastructure remains a bottleneck. Enhancing transmission capacity can help integrate more renewable energy, alleviate grid constraints, and improve energy reliability, ultimately saving consumers money.

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This is well worth the read and perfect timing as we are gearing up to demistify a lot about heat pumps for pools and spas this month. First things first - heat pumps are not just for heating your pool as some models, like the Raypak Crosswind V Deluxe series, can also cool your water. This especially appropriate as we are getting into the height of summer in the Southeast where high temps can reach well over 100 degree Fahrenheit which can mean bath-like water temps for many pools. Can you imagine having a pool to enjoy on those hot days only to dive in to warm water? We can’t either. And many people who already have traditional heaters might not think investing in a heat pump is worth it, but having a heat pump can both extend your summer season by cooling, but also efficiently extend your pool season by heating your pool when it may not be as cost friendly to use your gas heater. You could make up for your initial investment pretty quickly while also extending your pool season. So maybe you’re in a state like Texas, Louisiana, or Tennessee - and think a heat pump isn’t appropriate for your needs, but if you understand what they can do to extend your pool season and maximize usage throughout most of the year - you may reconsider. And if you’re in Texas - watch out here as we are running Heat Pump trainings later this month in Houston, Austin, and DFW. We’re on a mission to help our customers understand and explain the full benefits of having a heat pump as part of your pool setup.

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The landmark $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) will play a vital role in sparking and maintaining clean energy financing as a form of community development. The majority of organizations receiving funding are direct MacArthur grantees or longtime Foundation impact investees. Learn more about the recipients, who are working to ensure that our country’s transition to a clean energy future is inclusive and equitable. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g5-Hhe-R

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Catch the replays of our May webinar, "Back to Compliance: Where Innovation Meets Regulation," and learn from our experts about the value of public transparency dashboards for utilities. Check out this highlight on public transparency dashboards: "It provides a central location for the public, reporters, and anyone interested to find the information they're looking for, making it accessible." Learn more about how public transparency dashboards can benefit your utility, regardless of its size. 💧Register to watch the replays here: https://bit.ly/3J2cof1 #digitalwater #waterquality #LCRR #LCRI #waterpolicy #drinkingwater #GetTheLeadOut

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Our Executive Director, Larry Gasteiger, discussed the adverse impacts of competitive processes on needed transmission development on a recent NPR podcast The Indicator from Planet Money. Darian Woods: "The list of arguments against competition is long … Larry Gasteiger points to opposing studies showing cost increases from competition, less reliability, delays to development. Timing is a concern with just 26 years to build an insane amount of transmission.” Even Jon Wellinghoff points out that Order 1000 “didn’t turn out the way we expected." Larry recommends "We should stick with what is tried and true, and get transmission built … and meet the needs that we have today rather than try to experiment with new processes that don’t seem to be working." Give a listen: https://lnkd.in/e9_et7d4 Producer: Cooper Katz McKim #transmission #gridofthefuture #cleangrid #gridreliability #gridresilience #grid #Order1000 #FERC #gridexpansion

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