Overview
Held on September 9th, 2024 at RE+ 24 in Anaheim, California, 40 public and private industry leaders convened for the AEG RE+24 Action Challenge: Energy, Health & Equity. The purpose of this challenge was: 1.) Agree on a critical obstacle to equitable energy, health, and equity initiatives in LA/Orange County to meet clean energy and public health goals; 2.) Align on a 90-day sprint and 12-month objective to best address this obstacle; and 3.) Enable stakeholders to volunteer as part of a Task Force to deliver the solution.
5 Key Themes
1. Energy Access and Affordability: Addressing barriers to clean energy access, particularly for low-to-moderate income and underserved communities, including renters versus homeowners.
"LA County has 9.94 Million People, and Orange County has 3.18 million people. The current shared solar programs in LA and Orange County have limited capacity and serve only 17-26,000 people." — Utopia Hill, Reactivate Energy
2. Environmental Justice: Tackling pollution disparities and ensuring that disadvantaged communities benefit from clean energy initiatives and reduced environmental impact.
"Creating the first Climate Action Plan for the County of Orange addresses Environmental Justice, Resilience, and Natural Resources requires consensus." — Tara Tisopulos, County of Orange Waste & Recycling
3. Health Disparities: Improving access to healthcare and addressing chronic health conditions exacerbated by proximity to pollution sources and systemic inequities.
"Higher prevalence of diseases like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and asthma in underserved communities is due to proximity to pollution sources." — Dave Ford, Southern California Edison
4. Workforce Development and Economic Empowerment: Investing in training, minority/women-owned businesses, and equitable job opportunities in clean energy sectors.
"Reactivate is a mission-driven renewable energy company that... focuses on workforce development and contracts with Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprises." — Utopia Hill, Reactivate Energy
5. Infrastructure and Funding Challenges: Overcoming financial, utility, and infrastructure obstacles to implement renewable energy projects and zero-emission initiatives, ensuring long-term sustainability and equity.
"Metro faces significant cost and service-related challenges as we transition our fleet, staff recognize the urgency of improving air quality and remain committed to zero emission technology." — Heather Repenning, LA Metro
Speaker PRESENTATIONS
Each speaker provided an 8 minute and 5 slide presentation that concluded with this completed statement: “Regarding energy, health, and equity, a critical obstacle to collectively overcome in 12 months that would benefit LA/Orange County Priority Communities is _______.”
Dave Ford discussed the energy, health, and equity challenges faced by underserved communities, emphasizing the need to address energy access, healthcare disparities, and economic empowerment. Tara Tisopulos presented Orange County’s first Climate Action Plan, focusing on overcoming obstacles like diverse topography, pollution disparities, and lack of funding to address environmental justice, resilience, and outreach. Reactivate Energy outlined their mission to improve clean energy access for low-to-moderate income communities through workforce development, investment in solar projects, and engaging key stakeholders in LA and Orange County to develop meaningful community solar programs.. Heather Repenning reviewed LA Metro's Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Program to transition to zero-emission buses, reduce emissions, and address challenges like funding and infrastructure needs, with a focus on equity in densely populated and disadvantaged communities in Divisions 7, 9 and 18.
Participants prioritized the presented obstacles into this derived obstacle:
“Regarding energy, health, and equity, a critical obstacle to collectively overcome in 12 months that would benefit LA/Orange County Priority Communities is equitable access to shared Solar Energy for Renters and LMI Households through consensus building with a clear intention to disrupt inequities with LA Metro as an anchor."
NEXT STEP ACTIONS
Participants designed, presented, and selected a 90-day sprint and 12-month objective to overcome the above critical obstacle. 14 leaders came together to form a Task Force led by Crystal Green (DNV), Tara Tisopulous (OC Waste & Recycling) and Reactivate.
Other proposed 90-Day Sprints and 12-Month Objectives included:
Task Force Volunteers: Crystal Green, DNV Energy Systems, Tara Tisopulous, County of Orange, OC Waste & Recycling, Utopia Hill, Reactivate, Rosie Kang, Willdan, Patrick Burgess, Willdan, Paul Douglas, The JPI Group, Kristy David, JLL, Ben Lee, Electric Power Engineers, Theresa Renee, GRID Alternatives, Amy Lahav, Vahala Energy Solutions, Linda Kraemer, Orange County Power Authority, Laura Hirshfield, GRID Alternatives, Valeria Mendoza, Con Edison, Ben Lyon, ICF, AJ Perkins, TechFlow
Conclusion
The AEG RE+ 24 Energy, Health, and Equity Action Challenge brought together key public and private industry leaders to address critical obstacles in achieving LA and Orange County's clean energy, health, and equity goals. The challenge highlighted the importance of equitable access to renewable energy, workforce development, and addressing environmental justice issues. Key themes that emerged included the need for expanding solar energy capacity for renters, improving access to healthcare in underserved communities, and overcoming infrastructure and funding challenges. As the newly formed Task Force embarks on a 90-day sprint and 12-month objective, their collaborative efforts will be pivotal in advancing equitable and sustainable energy solutions for the region.
