In case you have missed it, the SJVCEO is so excited to support the 13th Annual California Climate & Energy Forum taking place in person on September 21 - 22, 2022 in San Diego! This event is an incredible opportunity to learn about emerging trends in the field of energy efficiency, as well as see real progress towards a more equitable and decarbonized future. Learn more at bit.ly/CCECForum2022.

The forum program has just been released. View our lineup of speakers from across various sectors and industries here! More information on registration and lodging is available here. SJVCEO staff with be participating in not one, not two, but three sessions throughout the course of the two-day forum. Take a look below to see what specific sessions we will be speaking at!

Rochelle Butler, Energy Manager (Speaker at the sessions below)

1. Day 1: September 21st, 3:00pm-4:15pm
   Electrification: Dystopian Novel or an Opportunity for Equitable Climate Action?

Real and perceived barriers to 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 with micro-grids, 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?

2. Day 2: September 22nd, 10:30am-11:45am
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.

Samantha Dodero, Associate Executive Director (Speaker at the session below)

1. Day 2: September 22nd, 10:30am-11:45am
   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.