Facilitation guide to talk about what energy justice looks like in your community!

Exciting updates in the energy democracy space


** Let's Talk:
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Are you interested in having a conversation with people around you about energy democracy?
Are you ready to engage with groups of people on supporting real solutions to advance energy justice?

The Reimagining Energy for our Communities zine ([link removed]) is just for you! We encourage you to engage deep conversation about what is truly possible in your communities with this facilitation guide ([link removed]) . The more we engage in reimagining what is possible, the more we can ensure the solutions we are advocating for does not perpetuate the current system.

In the meantime, here are some exciting updates from the ground...


** Updates from Project Collaborators:
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** [link removed] Announcements
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* News flash from the Minnesota House and Senate floor 🎉: Yesterday, major improvements to Minnesota's community solar and rooftop solar policies passed the MN House and Senate and is headed to the Governor's desk. These policies will help Cooperative Energy Futures and similar entities play a major role in the next phase of community-scale energy roll-out in Minnesota. The broader bill also includes cumulative impacts regulations on air pollution, expansion of low-income rooftop solar, improvements in programs to make energy efficiency more accessible, and much more.
* Huge Energy Democracy Win in New York 🎉: A huge energy democracy win was made in New York when the Bill Public Renewables Act was passed to authorize the NY Power Authority to be able to build public renewables and requires them to shut down peaker plants! Learn More ([link removed])
* Growing Community-owned solar projects in Minnesota✊🏽: Between the policy improvements and all the new IRA incentives and programs, Cooperative Energy Futures has been gearing up to double their membership over the next year and start a normal cycle of doing 5-10MW (600-1,200 new member households) of community-owned solar annually.
+ They've also launched a really exciting program for rooftop solar for low-income renters (mostly in multi-family housing) that allows people to get solar without upfront cost for a ~40% discount on the cost of energy (and be co-op member owners to build long-term wealth).
+ There are other really powerful models in the works around accessible whole-home energy upgrades, working with rural electric co-ops, and ground-source heating and cooling, among others.
* RE-AMP Network held an energy democracy summit hosted by Cleveland Owns. They brought about 30 people together across the Midwest to talk about community-driven solar and Rural Electric Cooperatives. They are working on next steps, thinking about extraction and supply chain issues and whole lifecycle issues around technologies and how to connect it with housing issues.
* REPORT: Cooperative Opportunity -- Pushing for Cleaner Energy: Read a newly published report by Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition on how they built community power to transition their cooperative electric utility. On April 27th, over 50 people rallied outside of the local utility co-op annual meeting to show support for the steps taken and pushed for more generation from renewables and accountability and transparency. READ REPORT ([link removed])
* REPORT: Powerless in the United States: The Center for Biological Diversity, Energy & Policy Institute, and Bailout Watch released a new report – Powerless in the United States -- that documents the persistent shutoff and energy crisis. Last year, utilities shutoff families 1.5 million times – combined with findings from our previous shutoff reports, that balloons to 5.7 million power disconnects since 2020. READ REPORT ([link removed])
* Aid in the Apocalypse: A Workshop Series for Climate Resilience
+ WHEN: TODAY May 19, 2023, 5-6:15pm AT; 4-5:15pm ET; 3-4:15pm CT; 2-3:15pm MT; 1-2:15pm PT; 12-1:15pm AKT
+ WHAT: Kicked off by People Power Solar Cooperative, this virtual workshop series brings together experts in climate resilience, environmental justice, and digital organizing to guide participants through making their own communities more resilient to climate change. Each session will cover lessons our facilitators have learned in the field and how you can build a climate resilience toolkit. REGISTER NOW ([link removed])
* Webinar: What is Equity in an Extractive Energy Transition?
+ WHEN: May 24, 2023, 4-5pm AT; 3-4pm ET; 2-3pm CT; 1-2pm MT; 12-1pm PT; 11-12pm AKT
+ WHAT: Local Clean Energy Alliance is here to discuss the impact of lithium mining and extraction on frontline communities and its implications for our work on equity and energy justice. When energy has this devastating cost, what and who we prioritize becomes the most important question. REGISTER NOW ([link removed])


** Loudspeaker on Google Noto Color Emoji Action Alerts
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* On April 13th, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) approved exports from the proposed AK LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) Pipeline Project. Please stand in solidarity with Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition to push back on LNG in Alaska by signing here ([link removed]) . Reach out to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to connect regarding fighting fossil fuels and natural gas.



** 🌻 Job Opportunities in Energy Democracy!
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* Campaign Co-Executive Director ([link removed]) : Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition is looking for candidates in Fairbanks, Alaska who can lead the organizing team in development, implementation and execution of grassroots organizing campaigns to advance locally and statewide within the values and frameworks of Just Transition and Decolonization. This position will be open until it is filled.
* Cooperative Energy Futures is looking for amazing energy democracy leaders to taking their work to the next level in Minnesota:
+ Chief Operating Officer ([link removed]) to provide vital leadership and organizational capacity (better support and coordination, stronger org culture, etc.)
+ Outreach and Engagement Team Manager ([link removed]) to deepen our work of member engagement and guide a more strategic approach to community empowerment
+ Communications Director ([link removed]) to up our story-telling and pop ed messaging
+ Affordable Solar Program Manager ([link removed]) to accelerate our new model of rooftop solar for low-income household
* Regional Energy Democracy Coordinator ([link removed]) : Soulardarity is seeking for candidates in the Midwest who are passionate about social justice, have strong organizational skills, and enjoy facilitating partnerships and coalition-building. As the Regional Energy Democracy Coordinator, you will work remotely and part-time, collaborating with the Program Director to develop and implement impactful Energy Democracy Programs. Your role will involve advocating for clean and renewable energy, promoting community ownership and affordability, and focusing on the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and low-income communities. This position will be open until it is filled.
* Operations Coordinator ([link removed]) : California Alliance for Community Energy is seeking a highly motivated, organized, and committed team player to support the operational needs of the growing organization. The Operations Coordinator is a part-time position (starting at 20 hours per week), reporting to the Steering Committee of the Alliance. This position will be open until it is filled.
* Artists & Storytellers ([link removed]) : Creative Wildfire (New Economy Coalition, Climate Justice Alliance, and Movement Generation) is looking for seven artists and storytellers to create new projects inspired by hidden histories of resistance.
+ Application Deadline: 12:00am PT on Tues. May 30, 2023.
* Freedom Summer Fellowship ([link removed]) : Emerald Cities Collaborative is seeking students who will partner with city government and community-based organizations to engage with critical social issues at the community level by supporting under-capacity cities and front-line community organizations while growing their skills and understanding of federal infrastructure funding opportunities. Please contact the email below if you have any further questions. Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
+ Application Deadline: 11:59 PM ET on Mon. May 22, 2023.


** What is the Energy Democracy Project?
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Since the Energy Democracy National Tour in 2018, more than 30 energy democracy practitioners have been collaborating to build shared resources and strategies to democratize energy.

This decentralized group of collaborators work translocally to build community ownership and control of clean energy resources and to promote racial and economic equity as a cornerstone of the clean energy transition. We are not a typical coalition/alliance/network. We are the Energy Democracy Project.

LEARN MORE ([link removed])
[link removed]
Get involved in the movement to democratize energy, learn more about the work following the Strategic Convening by visiting EnergyDemocracy.us or emailing [email protected]

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