SEMINAR 8: Energy Equity in Home Electrification and Decarbonization
> Energy Equity in Home Electrification and Decarbonization
Abstract
Achieving energy equity in the decarbonization of existing residential buildings is essential to ensure that all communities and households can benefit from cleaner, and more energy efficient environment and that we achieve our climate-related goals for the building sector. However, advancing equitable outcomes in this energy transition presents significant challenges. This presentation explores barriers in retrofitting existing buildings to meet decarbonization goals, with a focus on underserved communities that often lack resources for energy-efficient upgrades. Through case studies and recent research, the presentation explores how equitable decarbonization requires not only addressing costs and emissions reductions, but also maximizing non-energy impacts like improved indoor air quality, enhanced building resilience, and increased property value. Additionally, we consider the technical and workforce-related obstacles that disproportionately impact these communities, including outdated infrastructure and lack of skilled labor for sustainable retrofitting. By identifying scalable and inclusive pathways, this seminar underscores the importance of integrating equity into decarbonization strategies for existing buildings.
Date and Time
> December 3rd, 2024 at 11am (Pacific Time) / 2pm (East Time)
Presentations
> Download the presentations [Coming Soon]
Video Recording
> Find the video recording [HERE]
Speakers
Julia Hatton - President and CEO at Rising Sun
Julia Hatton is the President & CEO of Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, a nonprofit workforce development organization building career pathways for economic equity and climate resilience. Rising Sun specializes in preparing people with limited or no income, youth, women, and folks who’ve been incarcerated for sustainable, high-road careers that provide the opportunity to build wealth. Its programs include a construction pre-apprenticeship for the building and construction trades (including one of the nation’s only all-women cohorts) and a social enterprise that gives young people their first green job and provides free energy efficiency services to thousands of hard-to-reach residents each year. Rising Sun also advocates for green jobs to be good jobs to advance economic equity alongside climate resilience. Julia started at Rising Sun in 2012 as Director of Youth Programs, then served as Director of Programs, Director of Strategy Development & Policy, and Interim Co-Executive before taking on her role as CEO in March of 2020, and has led the growth and deepening of Rising Sun's programs over the past 12 years. Julia also has experience designing and implementing income-qualified energy efficiency and health homes programs and in economic development, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the State's SB 350 Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group. She's a proud graduate of the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs and of Northwestern University.
Josh Geyer - Multifamily Sector Lead at HUD
Josh Geyer is the Multifamily Sector Lead for the Better Buildings Initiative. Josh has spent his career at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development working toward a more sustainable and equitable urban form. After initially supporting the Sustainable Communities Initiative, he transitioned to work advancing policies that encourage energy efficiency and electrification in Public Housing and HUD-assisted and insured multifamily housing. As Better Buildings Multifamily sector lead, he oversees technical assistance provision and planning for 90+ multifamily Better Buildings Challenge and Better Climate Challenge partners. He is currently focused on coordinating the development of an Equitable Decarbonization Framework for HUD’s portfolio and supporting the recently signed MOU between HUD and the Department of Energy on equitable building decarbonization.
John Red Cloud - Managing Director at Red Cloud Renewables
John Red Cloud is board member of the 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, Red Cloud Renewable (RCR). The mission of RCR is to stimulate a significant revisioning of tribal communities where energy is created in renewable ways, meals are nutritional and fortified by traditional Lakota foods, homes are built in a sustainable way with local builders and materials and the land is cared for and regenerated with the next seven generations in mind. John is a 6th generation direct descendant of Chief Red Cloud. He was born and raised on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He is one of the Oglala Lakota Oyate.