Clean Power, Healthy Communities II Conference

March 2011 Conference Highlights
Decentralized Renewable Energy.

The Local Clean Energy Alliance’s second annual Clean Power, Healthy Communities conference drew 150 people on March 18 to a day of intense deliberations about the potential benefits of local renewable power to Bay Area Communities and how to build a movement to realize those benefits. Starting with a happy-hour debate the evening before on “Who Controls the Energy Pot of Gold” and ending with a rally at Oakland City Hall that linked the conference themes to the nuclear meltdowns in Japan, the conference emphasized local clean energy as the only alternative to the perils of fossil-fuel and nuclear energy production.

Attended by a diverse cross-section of climate activists, clean energy businesses, trade unionists, environmental justice advocates, and public officials, the conference provided compelling evidence that the only way out of our fossil fuel-dependent, planet-destroying energy system is to reduce local energy consumption and transition to renewable energy generated right in our communities. A decentralized energy system not only addresses the impact of climate change, but provides an economic engine for clean energy jobs, equitable development, and healthy communities.

Conference keynote speakers, panelists and workshops reflected the different emphases that come together around clean community-controlled energy. Some sessions focused on building community self-sufficiency and local organizing. Other threads included emerging energy technologies, community-based ownership models, economic development and clean energy jobs, as well as policies for promoting decentralized renewable energy.

The Local Clean Energy Alliance is attempting to capture this momentum through three campaign areas:

• Claim our Cash to encourage cities to petition the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for control of energy efficiency surcharges collected on utility bills
   
• Solutions in Our Back Yard campaign to encourage cities to urge the CPUC to favor local decentralized power in California’s energy future 
   
• Supporting Community Choice Energy to defend and expand Community Choice initiatives throughout the Bay Area.

Check out the presentations, videos, and photos from the Second Annual Clean Power, Healthy Communities Conference, March 17-18, 2011!!

Click here for the Conference presentations and videos.

Click here for the Conference and Happy Hour Photos.