As the threat of climate disruption increases, Community Choice energy can be a powerful vehicle for democratizing energy, spurring local sustainable economic development, and building more resilient communities.
As the social, economic, and environmental impacts of climate change become more pronounced, Community Choice energy can be a powerful vehicle for democratizing energy, spurring local sustainable economic development, and building more resilient communities. This workshop will consist of a 20 minute slide presentation followed by group discussion on the relationship between local renewable energy and community empowerment. Participants will learn about Community Choice energy, the role it can play toward a just transition to a new economy, and the new Community Choice program launching in Alameda County in Spring of 2017.
Community choice offers an opportunity to democratize energy – to retain wealth in our communities and increase local ownership of renewable resources, both of which contribute to more resilient communities. Participants will gain a better understanding of our current energy system and why it is unsustainable and how Community Choice offers an alternative. Community Choice programs are gaining steam in California – we will present a firsthand account of the process of developing a program in the East Bay (Alameda County) and our vision to make this program a model for the rest of the state, focusing on local renewable investment and equitable economic development. Participants from the East Bay can learn what is happening in their community and how to get involved, others from California can learn what can happen in their area. As Community Choice expands to other states, all participants can learn about the potential of this type of program to democratize energy.
