Meg Howard
Username
Meg Howard
Proposer First Name
Meg
Proposer Email
mhoward@masscec.com
Proposer Last Name
Howard
Proposer Company/Organization
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Proposer Phone
(617) 315-9379
Proposer Job Title
Program Director

Boston 2023 Areas of Focus

Proposed Session Description
Research has shown that solar adoption in a neighborhood spurs more solar adoption. Conversely, if clean energy adoption is not seeded in other communities, these communities lose out on the benefits of clean energy. This panel will provide lessons learned and best practices for using the community coach/ambassador/advisor model to promote clean energy in underserved communities. Speakers will talk about addressing language barriers and building trust. Panelists will also discuss how their programs comprehensively address barriers to clean energy adoption, for example by providing rehabilitation grants or helping residents access discounted electricity rates.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
The focus of this session is on how to increase equity in the accessing the benefits of clean energy.
Learning Objectives
1. Identify successful strategies to leverage community ambassadors/coaches/advisors to promote access to the benefits of clean energy in underserved communities.
2. Name common barriers to the adoption of clean energy and approaches to overcome those barriers.
3. State approaches to overcome language barriers.
4. Recognize strategies to build trust in communities that have previously been the target of predatory practices.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Session Format
Presentation followed by facilitated discussion or breakout groups
Recommended Length
60-minute session

Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2023

Reviewer 1
Greenberg, Asher
Reviewer 2
Washington, Maria
Curator
Rauls, Shari
Proposal #
188
Session #
103
Committee Decision
Accepted

Presenters

Full Description
In order to meet net zero climate goals, all communities must be part of the clean energy adoption. We know that historically low-income communities and communities of color have not had the same access to the benefits of clean energy and energy efficiency, leaving them cut out of the benefits of the clean energy transition and more vulnerable to high utility prices. This panel will explore one model with demonstrated success in reaching underserved communities. These are the types of solutions that need to be scale in order to achieve an equitable clean energy transition.