CLEAN ENERGY ACCESS WORKING GROUP BIOS

American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) and CPUC

Low Income Oversight Board

To provide an avenue for networking and development for professionals and entrepreneurs in the

energy industry;

To Identify, develop, and equip the next generation of minority students to take on careers in the

energy industry; and

To Inform and educate the minority community within California on energy services and technologies that can impact their energy usage and budgets.

Patricia Watts | Chair BOD, AABE & President/CEO, FCI Management Consultants

Patricia Watts is President and CEO of Faith Com Inc., dba/FCI

Management (FCI). Founded in 1998, FCI is a full-service energy/water

consulting company offering a broad level of expertise in energy/water

efficiency services. Today, FCI is a certified, woman owned, minority,

corporation, headquartered in Long Beach, CA with offices in New York

and Georgia.

Ms. Watts developed her knowledge and skills from an expansive 24-year career in the

electric utility industry with Southern California Edison. During which time she held

management and supervisory positions in customer service, energy services, marketing,

public affairs and community relations. This experience allowed her to acquire an in-depth

knowledge of the electric utility industry in both the regulated and deregulated

environments.

Ms. Watts is very active in the community and illustrates her commitment through work on

several boards in the City of Los Angeles and the State of California. She is a member of the

Board of Directors and serves as the Treasurer for “Goals for Life” a non-profit organization

that provides mentoring programs for at-risk students. She is also a member of the Board of

Directors for Community Build, a non-profit community development organization which

focuses on bringing capital investments into South Central Los Angeles. Ms. Watts is on the

board of the Koreatown Youth Community Center (KYCC) as well as the California Black

Chamber of Commerce. She serves as the Chair of the Minority Business Input Committee

(MBEIC) which is a subcommittee of the Southern California Minority Business Development

Council (SCMBDC). She has been a member of the Low-Income Oversight Board (LIOB) under

the CPUC and was recently made Vice President. Ms. Watts has received numerous awards

for her work in the energy efficiency community.

Ms. Watts majored in Business Management at the University of La Verne, California. She

attended the Minority Business Executive Program and the Advanced Minority Business

Executive Program, at the Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth University. In June of 2013,

Ms. Watts was selected to attend NMSDC’s Advanced Management Education Program,

Kellogg Executive Education. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University,

Evanston, IL. This year, 2017, she was certified as an Energy Efficiency Practitioner.

American Solar Advantage

American Solar Advantage (ASA), a California-based solar company, is changing the solar industry one client at a time. We provide quality services, utilize top of the line products, and strive to exceed customer expectations every single time. With a combined 30 years' of experience, we bring a wealth of knowledge to every project, completing each one as quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. ASA employs highly experienced and skilled team members that are committed to providing you with the best experience possible. Over 70% of our business comes from customer referrals because it is our mission and sole focus to exceed your expectations, provide competitive pricing, and to install a system that provides the financial benefits you are hoping for.

Bobby D Harris III, PE | Founder and President

Bobby Harris is the Founder and President of American Solar Advantage, Inc. (ASA). With more than 15 years of engineering, utility, technology, construction, project management, and executive management expertise, Mr. Harris leads ASA with a vision unparalleled in the industry. With quality engineering, construction, and customer service as the pillars of ASA, Mr. Harris strives to make an impact in the solar industry bringing energy production and customer cost savings to the forefront of

the discussion.

Bobby Harris manages corporate direction and strategy at ASA, facilitating company activity in sales, marketing, technology, installation, customer satisfaction, and support. He is also responsible for developing ASA’s network marketing division in 2017 providing greater opportunities for individuals to strengthen their leadership and business development skills in this ever-changing, hyper-growing industry. Bobby Harris graduated from the University of California at Riverside (UCR) in 2002, earning his bachelor of science degree in Electrical Engineering. Mr. Harris served in numerous organizations on campus such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and African Student Union (ASU). Mr. Harris received his professional engineering license in 2009 and his contractor’s license in 2015 making him one of few to hold both licenses simultaneously in the state of California. In addition to leading American Solar Advantage, Inc., Bobby Harris is also the Founder and President of BDH Engineering & Construction where they specialize in electrical and structural engineering consulting and construction installation projects with an emphasis on power distribution and renewable energy. Previously, Mr. Harris served as Principal Engineer and Operations Manager at Riverside Public Utilities (RPU), where his focus on customers, innovation, improved operational efficiency, and technology catapulted him to not only become the first African American to hold these well regarded positions but also the youngest in RPU’s history. “We aren’t just installing solar for the sake of installing solar. Our goal is to produce cheaper

cleaner energy to replace our customer’s dependency on higher cost energy while also making a positive impact on our environment” -Bobby Harris

Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council (A3PCON)

The Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) is a coalition of community-based organizations that advocates for the rights and needs of the Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) Community in the greater Los Angeles area, with a particular focus on low income, immigrant, refugee and other disadvantaged sectors of the population. Work includes: Environmental Justice Committee To engage in activities that will encourage and empower API community members to become strong advocates of environmental health, safety, equality and preservation. To continue to advocate feasible and earth-friendly solutions to mitigate and/or eliminate existing harmful conditions, particularly those in API and low-income neighborhoods. To develop strong alliances with other community-based organizations that will provide a united and cohesive position in support of environmental health, safety and equity.

Celia Andrade | Director, Energy & Environmental Services Department, PACE and Environmental Justice Committee Co-Chair, A3PCON Celia has more than 20 years’ experience in developing and successfully managing programs and

projects in the fields of publishing, marketing and energy efficiency. She was born and raised in Manila, Philippines where she completed her Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Communications from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. She completed her Master in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach in one and a half years, earning a 4.0 GPA while working full time. She represents PACE in several community organizations dedicated to promoting API, energy efficiency and environmental justice concerns in various capacities: Co-Chair, A3PCON Environmental Justice Committee;

Member, Association of Women in Water, Energy & Environment (AWWEE) Los Angeles Regional Leadership Team; Member, Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF) Campaign Committee; Member, California Climate Equity Coalition (CCEC) Energy Committee; Member, Asian Pacific American Climate Change Coalition (APACCC); Member, Association of California Community & Energy Services (ACCES); Member, Cal EPA Disadvantaged Community (DAC) Outreach Stakeholder Group; Member, 350.org; Member, CSD LIWP Stakeholder Group; Member, East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Engineering & Technologies Department Advisory Group; Member, Los Angeles (LA)Sustainability PLAn Stakeholder Group; Member, National Association of Professional Women (NAPW). Celia loves to watch TV, movies and read. Her latest craze: watching Korean soaps and historical dramas.

Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement

API Forward Movement, formerly known as APIOPA, is a division of Special Service for Groups, Inc.

(SSG). We cultivate healthy, long-lasting, and vibrant Asian and Pacific Islander communities through

grassroots organizing.

Our Mission

We cultivate healthy, long-lasting, and vibrant Asian and Pacific Islander communities through

grassroots organizing.

Our Vision

We want a world where Asian and Pacific Islander communities – and all communities of color – have

full power to access good health and a healthy environment.

Our Team

API Forward Movement is driven by advocates who are passionate about health equity, the

environment, food access, and social justice. Our core staff collaborates closely with community

members, organizational partners, youth activists, researchers, and other local leaders on a daily

basis. We believe in doing the work collectively!

Scott Chan | Program Director

Scott currently is the Program Director for Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement (Forward Movement) where he advances new and innovative programs around access to healthy food and healthy environments for API communities. Under Scott’s leadership, Forward Movement has grown to be a premiere voice in advocating for API health and environmental issues in Los Angeles County. Outside of work, Mr. Chan serves as the co-chair of the Community/Patient Advisory Board for Kaiser’s Research Bank, and is an adjunct instructor on community health

for the Master in Public Health program at California State University, Fullerton. Mr. Chan currently holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge, and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Beneficial State Foundation

Beneficial State Foundation is a unique foundation whose mission is to create, guide, and promote a

new, beneficial banking model that transforms the banking industry.

We support the creation of an economy that benefits communities that have been left behind by the current economic system. We envision an economy that is equitable and generates social, economic, and environmental justice for all. To achieve this mission, we focus our energy on changing one of the pillars of the current economic system: the banking system.

Annie Claybaugh | Director of Operations

Annie graduated from San Francisco State University in 2011 with a degree in

International Relations and an emphasis in South Asia economic development.

Prior to graduation Annie spent a month in northern India volunteering with a

school for the deaf and blind and with female entrepreneurs, helping them

market their businesses and sell their goods.

Before taking a position in the health industry, Annie worked as the Community Outreach Intern at Kiva Microfunds where she developed content

for the blog and managed the organization’s social media accounts. Annie lives in San Francisco and in her free time studies Hindi, trains for running events, and travels. She is passionate about the mission of Beneficial State Foundation and is excited about her role as the Director of Operations!

Jhana Valentine | Social and Environmental Impact Associate

Both personally and professionally, Jhana is passionate about community-centered solutions that foster social justice, environmental sustainability, and shared prosperity. She began her career helping small businesses become more socially and environmentally focused through the process of completing the B Corp Assessment and becoming a Certified Benefit Corporation. Since

joining Beneficial State Foundation as the Social & Environmental Impact Associate, she has delved into impact measurement, reporting, and grant-writing projects that further the team’s mission to transform the banking industry for good.

Center for Sustainable Energy

For over 20 years, CSE has been accelerating the transition to a sustainable world powered by clean energy. CSE is a mission-driven nonprofit organization providing clean energy program design and management and technical advisory services. Headquartered in San Diego, CSE works nationwide in the clean energy industry with support of offices in Los Angeles, Boston and Berkeley. CSE offers large-scale market transformation programs like rebate and incentive program design, administration, end-user engagement campaigns, policy guidance and workforce training and education.

Roman Partida-Lopez | Senior Equity Specialist

Román Partida-López is the Senior Equity Specialist at the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) where he focuses on ensuring CSE's clean energy programs and initiatives are properly focused on communities who can benefit the most from such investments, with a focus on impacted communities and low-to-moderate income households. Highly influenced by his hometown of National City, CA, a neighborhood impacted by poverty and air pollution, Román advocates for clean energy equity broadly in public investments on behalf of CSE. He has worked on

legislation to help increase awareness and accessibility of clean transportation programs in California and throughout the Northeast. Román holds a bachelor's degree from University of San Diego and a J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Prior to joining CSE, Román was the Environmental Equity Legal Fellow at The Greenlining Institute, a policy, research and advocacy organization focused on bringing resources to communities of color and low-income communities.

Community Environmental Council

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) creates solutions to climate change that build healthier, more prosperous, and equitable communities. Our programs provide pathways to cleaner vehicles, renewable energy, resilient food systems and the reduction of single-use plastic. Work includes:

Plug-in Central Coast

CEC is a founding member of Plug-in Centrla Coast, a partnership between public

agencies and nonprofits that work together to bring more electric vehicle charging

infrastructure online and elevate adoption of cleaner plug-in electric vehicles in local

communities.

Zer Emission Vehicle Readiness Implementation

Earlier this year, CEC and Plug-in Central Coast secured funding from the California

Energy Commission to implement regional readiness plans for plug-in electric and

fuel cell vehicles, with a specific emphasis on projects that will deliver direct benefits

to lower-income areas and environmental justice communities.

Solarize Programs

CEC’s Solarize Programs helps homeowners make the switch to solar power, making

the benefits of clean energy more accessible and affordable through a hassle-free

and streamlined group purchasing model. We envision a future where 100% of our

homes, businesses, and plug-in electric vehicles are powered by clean, renewable,

and local energy sources.

Green Car Shows & Test Drives

CEC hosts several green car shows and test-drive events each year to inspire more

people to drive clean. In 2017, CEC provided more than 360 test-drives in zero

emission vehicles to local residents.

Cameron Gray | Transportation & Climate Specialist

Cameron Gray joined CEC in 2015 to support the non-profit’s zero emission vehicle and energy efficiency programs. He is currently focused on expanding CEC’s focus on holistic climate change solutions that are best positioned to deliver direct social, economic, and environmental benefits to lower-income and environmental justice communities. He received a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at University of California,

Santa Barbara (UCSB) in 2013. He also holds a dual Bachelor of the Arts in Psychology and Philosophy from UCSB. Before he joined CEC, Cameron supported corporate social responsibility initiatives to promote sustainable transportation and energy conservation in the workplace.

Climate Resolve

Climate Resolve is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, founded in 2010, that is dedicated to creating real,

practical solutions to meet the climate challenge while building a better city for Angelenos.

Their mission is to make Southern California more livable and prosperous today and for generations to

come by inspiring people at home, at work, and in government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

and local air pollution, as well as prepare for climate change impacts. Work includes:

Cap-and-Trade Projects

They are helping SoCal cities obtain cap-and-trade dollars. Working together with SCAG and LA n

Sync, we are helping cities and developers on proposals for Affordable Housing and Sustainable

Communities grants with funding from AB32.

EnviroMetro

Climate Resolve is a convener of EnviroMetro, LA’s coalition for green, equitable and healthy

transportation. We are working with Metro to develop policy and process solutions to advance

green infrastructure and sustainable transportation modes.

Climate-Ready Roofs

They have partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and Grid Alternatives on

this program to bring high-tech clean energy solutions to communities traditionally left out of

the green energy economy. They're providing low-income homeowners with structurally sound

cool roofs topped with solar panels -- to help families save energy and reduce greenhouse gases.

Bryn Lindblad | Associate Director

Bryn Lindblad’s experience in forging and facilitating cross-sector collaborations for greater climate resilience serves her well in this strategic leadership position. Before moving to Los Angeles, Bryn worked as a policy analyst and consultant in Copenhagen, Denmark, where her primary foci were on life cycle-oriented governance mechanisms and integrated natural resource management. While there, she also served as the first sustainability officer of a major Danish institute, where she successfully implemented numerous high-impact,

cross-departmental initiatives. She also served on the steering board of Impact HUB Copenhagen, a co-working community centered around collaborations for social good, and was a founder and board director of a local, organic vegetable cooperative. Before moving to Europe’s green capital for the COP15 climate conference, Bryn worked with the non-partisan Twin Cities nonprofit Citizen League on fostering new forms of civic engagement to inform public policy decisions. Bryn was on Capital Hill before that, working on Senator Amy Klobuchar’s environmental policy team, helping to prepare the freshman senator for committee hearings and draft legislation with bipartisan appeal. Bryn has also worked on the regulatory side of environmental protection in the Bureau of Intergovernmental Affairs at NYC’s Dept. of Env. Protection, where water supply and wastewater management were the main concerns. She has a Masters in Technological and

Socio-Economic Planning from Roskilde University (Denmark), and a BA in Political Science, Public Policy, and Environmental Studies from Swarthmore College. Originally from St. Paul, MN, Bryn has now put down roots in the Mount Washington neighborhood of Los Angeles. She is an avid user of alternative modes of transportation, enjoys cooking, hiking and camping, and always wears sunscreen.

Coalition for Clean Air

The Coalition for Clean Air is California's foremost air quality advocate. We are dedicated to restoring

the state's most precious natural resource: the air we breathe. With offices in Sacramento and Los

Angeles the nonprofit Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) has worked to restore clean air to California since

1971. CCA is dedicated to reducing emissions and improving public health through advocacy, outreach

and education. Work includes:

• Clean Freight Transportation

o The Coalition for Clean Air advocates for effective and integrated policy solutions that

support a zero emission, or near zero emission, freight transportation system in California.

EnviroMetro

• Charge Ahead California Campaign

o Together with our partners from NRDC, Environment CA, Communities for a Better Environment and the Greenlining Institute, the “Charge Ahead California” campaign seeks to deploy over 1 million electric vehicles by 2023.

Chris Chavez | Deputy Policy Director

Chris joined CCA in 2017. Having grown up near the ports, multiple freeways and railyards, he’s seen first-hand the importance of improving air quality and cleaning the state’s transportation system. Previously, Chris served as a Legislative Aide for State Senator Fran Pavley (ret.), staffing her on transportation, the state budget and the Senate floor. Additionally, Chris served as a Senate Fellow for then State Senator Alex Padilla and staffed legislation that improved rail service in Southern

California. Chris has a BA in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach.

EarthJustice

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and

the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to

advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good

lawyer.

Adrian Martinez | Staff Attorney

Based in Los Angeles, CA, Adrian works on clean air, clean energy and environmental justice issues. Adrian grew up in North Carolina and moved west for law school. Prior to joining Earthjustice, Adrian worked at the Natural Resources Defense Council as a smog and environmental justice attorney.

Electrify America

Electrify America will be a catalyst for promoting ZEV adoption by offering transformative, customer-centric infrastructure and energy management solutions. Electrify America is investing $2 billion over the next 10 years in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, education/outreach, and access/exposure representing the largest commitment of its kind to date. We are building a nationwide network of workplace, community, and highway chargers that are convenient and reliable. Our investment will enable millions of Americans to discover the benefits of electric driving.

Matt Nelson| Senior Director of Charging Infrastructure Planning, Partnerships and Operations for Electrify America

Matthew Nelson is the Director of Government Affairs for Electrify America. He previously served as the Chief of Staff in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Matthew also served as U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Senior Policy Advisor for Energy, Transportation, and Climate Change for seven years.

Environmental Defense Fund

At Environmental Defense Fund, we forge powerful solutions to the world’s biggest environmental problems by combining passionate commitment with strong, innovative science and cutting-edge economics. Our results show that human prosperity and environmental progress can go hand in hand. We work to meet people’s needs for food, water, energy and ecosystems. A healthy environment gives people a chance to succeed and thrive. That’s why we work in a nonpartisan fashion with allies—business, communities and government—to find the ways that work for people and nature.

Larissa Koehler | Senior Attorney

Areas of expertise: California clean energy regulatory law and policy, transportation and electric vehicles As a senior attorney with EDF’s California Clean Energy team, Larissa engages in multiple regulatory proceedings at the California Public Utilities Commission, including those around electric vehicles, rates, and distributed energy resources, in order to break down barriers to accelerating clean, cost-effective, and equitable energy solutions in the state. She also works on policy analysis and legislative advocacy on key

energy issues in California. Larissa has long been passionate about environmental preservation and pursued that interest by majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton and focusing on environmental law and policy while at George Washington University Law School. Education J.D., George Washington University Law School A.B., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University

EV Nirvana

EV Nirvana is a company dedicated the promotion, education and sales of plug-in electric vehicles and

associated charging infrastructure.

The goal of EV Nirvana, LLC - Electric Vehicles Enlightened, is to establish a brand that identifies with affordable

electric vehicles and information regarding reliable, emission-free and sustainable personal transportation. The

initial plan is to sell pre-owned electric vehicles in an informational setting focusing on underrepresented

communities. These community members benefit the most from owning and driving these cars with zero

emissions and low total cost of ownership.

Michelle Pierce is an Electric Vehicle Consultant who formed her company EV

Nirvana, LLC, in 2016 to encourage the use of plug-in electric vehicles. EV Nirvana

offers consulting and outreach services to enlighten the public on the benefits of

driving emission free personal transportation. Services also include consulting on

siting of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Michelle believes that education on

the benefits of electric vehicles and supporting charging infrastructure is key to its

development. The goal of the company includes establishing a retail sales location

that sells battery-only plug-in electric vehicles exclusively with a focus on teaching

customers about electric cars.

She has over 20 years of experience in the municipal electric utility industry. She received her BS Electrical Engineering from California State University at Long Beach in 1993. Her experience includes project management, energy efficiency and renewable energy program management, and electric vehicle strategic planning. She retired from municipal employment in 2015. Her passion for electric vehicles dates back to the General Motors EV1. She leased a Nissan Leaf in 2012 and joined the ranks of the early adopters of Electric Vehicle technology.

FCI Management Consultants and CPUC Low Income Oversight

Board

FCI Management, Inc. (FCI) develops and implements energy and water efficiency solutions for corporate, residential, commercial and industrial clients, public and private school, universities, and government and municipal agencies. FCI is a privately-held, California “C” Corporation. Our focus is on marketing innovative technologies and energy efficiency strategies that lower energy costs for consumers, heighten the security of energy and water supply and improve the quality of the environment by reducing the carbon footprint. FCI is distinguished by the expertise of its principal owners and professional staff, together representing over 150 years of experience in all aspects of the utility service industry-from technical operations to regulatory affairs to customer services. FCI is working to become a nationally-recognized company in providing comprehensive energy solutions. We intend to do this by continuing to earn new and repeat customers by providing exemplary service and helping them achieve their resource savings goals.

Patricia Watts | Chair BOD, AABE & President/CEO, FCI Management Consultants

Patricia Watts is President and CEO of Faith Com Inc., dba/FCI

Management (FCI). Founded in 1998, FCI is a full-service energy/water

consulting company offering a broad level of expertise in energy/water

efficiency services. Today, FCI is a certified, woman owned, minority,

corporation, headquartered in Long Beach, CA with offices in New York

and Georgia.

Ms. Watts developed her knowledge and skills from an expansive 24-year career in the

electric utility industry with Southern California Edison. During which time she held

management and supervisory positions in customer service, energy services, marketing,

public affairs and community relations. This experience allowed her to acquire an in-depth

knowledge of the electric utility industry in both the regulated and deregulated

environments.

Ms. Watts is very active in the community and illustrates her commitment through work on

several boards in the City of Los Angeles and the State of California. She is a member of the

Board of Directors and serves as the Treasurer for “Goals for Life” a non-profit organization

that provides mentoring programs for at-risk students. She is also a member of the Board of

Directors for Community Build, a non-profit community development organization which

focuses on bringing capital investments into South Central Los Angeles. Ms. Watts is on the

board of the Koreatown Youth Community Center (KYCC) as well as the California Black

Chamber of Commerce. She serves as the Chair of the Minority Business Input Committee

(MBEIC) which is a subcommittee of the Southern California Minority Business Development

Council (SCMBDC). She has been a member of the Low-Income Oversight Board (LIOB) under

the CPUC and was recently made Vice President. Ms. Watts has received numerous awards

for her work in the energy efficiency community.

Ms. Watts majored in Business Management at the University of La Verne, California. She

attended the Minority Business Executive Program and the Advanced Minority Business

Executive Program, at the Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth University. In June of 2013,

Ms. Watts was selected to attend NMSDC’s Advanced Management Education Program,

Kellogg Executive Education. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University,

Evanston, IL. This year, 2017, she was certified as an Energy Efficiency Practitioner.

GRID Alternatives

GRID Alternatives vision is a transition to clean, renewable energy that includes everyone. Our

mission is to make renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underserved

communities.

Solar Programs

GRID Alternatives provides no- to very-low-cost solar power for low-income families while

providing hands-on installation experience for job seekers and community volunteers. We also

offer technical assistance and turnkey installation services to multifamily affordable housing

developers, and are working with cooperative, municipal and investor-owned utilities to develop

the first community solar projects in the country dedicated to low-income communities.

Policy & Program Development

GRID Alternatives is a leading voice in renewable energy access, driving policies at the state and

local level that support solar access for underserved communities and helping design and

implement low-income solar programs. In California, GRID helped develop and acts as statewide

program administrator for the state’s two low-income solar incentive programs, and we are

currently helping build out new programs in Illinois, Washington, D.C., and Colorado.

Elise Hunter | Policy & Regulatory Affairs Director Elise joined GRID Alternatives in the summer of 2017 to help lead regulatory and legislative strategy for the organization, with an overarching aim to expand clean energy access to low-income and frontline communities. Before GRID, Elise worked at PG&E on the Distributed Generation team, advancing energy storage policy, strategy and pilots. She also worked on the Government Relations team at Build It Green, striving for consistent local policies for green building and

energy efficiency. She holds a Bachelor’s from Stanford and a MBA/MS from the University of Michigan.

Alex Turek | Multifamily Development Manager A New York transplant, Alex came to Los Angeles to study urban and regional planning at UCLA, focusing his research on climate change mitigation through a regional planning framework. After graduation, Alex continued policy research at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation where he led research projects in both the Alternative Energy and Alternative Fuels (PEVs) initiatives. GRID teamed with the Luskin Center for a solar at affordable housing report, where Alex saw GRID’s social mission firsthand

and economic and environmental justice in action. Alex joined GRID in May 2016 to help launch GRID GLA’s multifamily and commercial non-profit program. Alex works to develop partnerships with affordable housing non-profits to bring solar and job training to them and

their residents, as well as to other mission-aligned non-profits who can reduce their operating costs and reinvest savings back into their mission.

GRID Alternatives LA

GRID Alternatives vision is a transition to clean, renewable energy that includes everyone. Our

mission is to make renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underserved

communities.

Solar Programs

GRID Alternatives provides no- to very-low-cost solar power for low-income families while

providing hands-on installation experience for job seekers and community volunteers. We also

offer technical assistance and turnkey installation services to multifamily affordable housing

developers, and are working with cooperative, municipal and investor-owned utilities to develop

the first community solar projects in the country dedicated to low-income communities.

Workforce Development

For the last 6 years, we have built a robust workforce development program to provide the

training and services specific to photovoltaics/solar. Our program is built around job growth and

opportunities in the solar industry. Our goal is to provide our volunteer and job trainees with the

skills and support needed to move them from the classroom to the rooftop, and ultimately into

good green career opportunities in the solar industry. To date, we have focused our efforts in

serving:

• General volunteers who have an interest in solar and employment opportunities

• Students from solar programs in local community colleges and adult occupational centers

• At risk individuals and young adults ages 16-24 enrolled in YouthBuilds and Conservation Corps programs

• Formerly incarcerated and recently returning citizens

• Women

• People of color in underserved communities

• Veterans

Policy & Program Development

GRID Alternatives is a leading voice in renewable energy access, driving policies at the state

and local level that support solar access for underserved communities and helping design and

implement low-income solar programs. In California, GRID helped develop and acts as

statewide program administrator for the state’s two low-income solar incentive programs, and

we are currently helping build out new programs in Illinois, Washington, D.C., and Colorado.

Stella Ursua | Outreach Strategic Partnerships Manager Prior to joining GLA, Stella Ursua, Outreach and Strategic Partnerships Manager, worked over 25+ years managing global Organizational Development/ Training functions at Fortune 500 companies and leading several non-profit organizations to design educational curriculum, outreach strategies and numerous environmental health/sustainability-related programs and in underserved communities. Stella has spent countless hours partnering with community-based organizations,

businesses and local government agencies to promote and create more sustainable neighborhoods, and over the years, completed a handful of solar installs with GLA in Long Beach & South LA neighborhoods. She has been a long-time supporter and admirer of GRID Alternatives’ work and was thrilled to finally join GLA in this new role. Stella lives in Long Beach with her spouse, Pinky, where they continue their efforts to engage community members in creating a greener, more sustainable city and neighborhoods.

Lidia Castelo | Senior Outreach Coordinator Lidia Castelo, a native of Los Angeles, began developing her grassroots community organizing skills in High School by organizing her fellow classmates at Belmont High School to advocate for adequate education. She then continued developing her passion while attending CSU

Northridge by organizing students around budget cuts affecting EOP and humanities programs. Soon after receiving her Bachelors of Arts degree in Xicana/o Studies and a minor in Business management, she became a Tenant Organizer for Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE) through the AmeriCorps Public Allies LA program, campaigning against slum housing and advocating for affordable/adequate housing for working poor families in the Figueroa Corridor area of Los Angeles.

KIGT Inc.

KIGT makes Level 2 Smart eChargers for Electric Vehicles and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle drivers

at home and on-the-go.

Work includes:

• Partnering with various schools/teachers involved with electrification projects.

Paul Francis |CEO & Co-Founder

Paul Francis is the CEO Co-founder of KIGT, Inc. an Original Equipment Manufacturer of Smart Charge Stations for Electric Vehicles. Before starting KIGT Mr. Francis was a scholarship student-athlete at Sonoma State University. After his second year of collegiate athletics, he transferred to the University of Las Vegas, to solely focus on scholastics as a business marketing and international business major.

While living in Las Vegas he discovered his entrepreneurial spirit and started several small businesses. At the age of 20 in his initial venture in the utility industry, Paul offered alternative gas, phone, and energy options to customers. Since founding KIGT in 2009 Paul Francis has conducted multiple proof of concept Electric Vehicle pilot projects, off-grid energy system demonstrations, and fundraising. For the past seven year's Paul has conducted green tech training workshops for municipals, school campuses, as well as businesses. His most recent endeavor is the market launch of the KIGT Smart eCharger product line for electric cars. Paul is passionate when it comes to his grass roots work's efforts in the community. As Co-founder of KIGT he decided to introduce a student internship program teaching entrepreneurship and STEM to high school students. Presently Paul also serves on the subcommittee of the California Energy Commission, CalSEED Fund. The CalSEED fund is a $24MM grant that invest in early stage concepts that will usher in a new era of sustainability for California's energy future. Paul's mission is to help reshape 100 years of human habit by creating sustainable eco systems to enhance the quality of life in the communities he serves.

Korean Church Community Development

GRID Alternatives vision is a transition to clean, renewable energy that includes everyone. Our mission

is to make renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underserved communities.

Work includes:

Solar Programs

GRID Alternatives provides no- to very-low-cost solar power for low-income families while providing

hands-on installation experience for job seekers and community volunteers. We also offer technical

assistance and turnkey installation services to multifamily affordable housing developers, and are

working with cooperative, municipal and investor-owned utilities to develop the first community solar

projects in the country dedicated to low-income communities.

Policy & Program Development

GRID Alternatives is a leading voice in renewable energy access, driving policies at the state and local level that support solar access for underserved communities and helping design and implement low-income solar programs. In California, GRID helped develop and acts as statewide program administrator for the state’s two low-income solar incentive programs, and we are currently helping build out new programs in Illinois, Washington, D.C., and Colorado.

Hyepin Im | President & CEO

Ms. Hyepin Im is a U.S. Presidential Appointee on the Board of the Corporation for National and Community Service. She is the President of Faith and Community Empowerment (formerly KCCD), a national nonprofit, empowering churches and nonprofits to leverage their resources by building capacity, leadership, and partnerships in economic development and serving as a bridge between the Asian American community and the greater community.

Since 2001, KCCD has had over 500 partners, ranging from the White House to Fortune 500 companies. Successful initiatives include educating over 8000 homebuyers and helping them receive over $1.4 million in down payment assistance, saving over $86 million in assets from foreclosure, implementing a historic $5 million U.S. Department of Labor workforce development program, and hosting joint conferences with the White House to mobilize 5000 Korean American churches for economic development. Ms. Hyepin has been featured on CNN, NPR, LA Times, and the Washington Post and presented at numerous conferences including the White House, U.S. Department of Labor, and Christian Community Development Association. She serves on the U.S. Army Advisory Board, the Pacific Council on International Policy, The Western Partner for the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2013, she was recently honored by Los Angeles Magazine as “Ten Inspirational Women of Los Angeles.

She was honored as 2012 Woman of Action by California Speaker of the Assembly John Perez and also as Pioneer Woman of the Year by Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Tom LaBonge. She was also recognized by LAUSD Board of Education as a Trailblazer for her work and advocacy for students. She has a B.S. from U.C. Berkeley, M.B.A. from the University of Southern California, and M.Div., summa cum laude, from Wesley Theological Seminary.

LACI

Launched in 2011 as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles in conjunction with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a non-profit business incubator that helps promising cleantech companies deliver market-ready clean energy solutions by bringing together capital, universities, research, government support, entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and business leaders. LACI’s mission is to build and support an inclusive green economy. Over the past 6 years, LACI has helped 65+ companies raise $130M+ and create 1,200+ jobs. LACI offers its incubated companies flexible office space, CEO coaching and mentoring, and access to networks of technical experts and investment capital. As a result of its innovative approach and five-year commitment to portfolio companies, LACI has received the UBI Index’s coveted “Global Top 10”, was selected as the Department of Energy’s clean energy incubator for the State of California. LACI was recently selected by the California Energy Commission to lead Los Angeles’ Regional Energy Innovation Cluster, which connects, convenes, and supports clean energy entrepreneurs in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties.

LACI operates out of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) La Kretz Innovation

Campus, a fully renovated 60,000 ft2 building located in Downtown Los Angeles. The La Kretz

Innovation Campus was built to support the region’s cleantech sector and features hot desks, private

offices, conference rooms, an advanced manufacturing prototyping laboratory, a large training center,

and event space.

Amanda Sabicer | VP Energize California A native New Yorker, Amanda devoted her early career to helping low-income New Yorkers overcome barriers to employment and obtain living-wage jobs. She later worked for Amgen’s Oncology Sales and Marketing department, where she sold six oncology products to community oncology clinics and hospitals, managed over $10M in revenue a year, and was named Rookie of the Year for the Western Region. After several years serving as a strategy and development consultant for mission-driven organizations, Amanda joined LACI in 2014 as VP

Development. In her Development role, she worked closely with federal, state, and local funders to support LACI’s mission to create a green economy. More recently, Amanda transitioned to a new role at LACI as VP Energize California. Energize California is a five-year project funded by the California Energy Commission that links, convenes, and supports clean energy entrepreneurs and researchers in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange Counties in order to encourage and accelerate clean energy technology commercialization. Amanda graduated cum laude with a B.A. from Pomona College and received her MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.

Liberty Hill Foundation

Liberty Hill Foundation is Los Angeles’ social justice home, bringing progressive campaigns to victory

by connecting donor-activists with grassroots leaders fighting for change.

Through grantmaking, campaign guidance and leadership development, Liberty Hill has fueled

community-driven change for over 40 years that focuses on lifting up Angelenos who need help the

most. Liberty Hill positions progressive changemakers for success by providing grants, leadership

training and strategic guidance. Liberty Hill is committed to LGBT, economic, racial and environmental

justice. It’s new Agenda for A Just Future is committed to fighting the most entrenched barriers to

success for the communities we care about by committing to eliminate neighborhood oil drilling,

ensuring a roof over every head and ending youth incarceration as we know it.

Ben Russak | Senior Policy Analyst & Program Manager for Common Agenda/Environmental Health & Justice

Ben works to maximize Los Angeles disadvantaged community access to climate-reduction investments in the energy, clean vehicle, urban greening, transit, water and air quality, and sustainable community sectors. He plays a leadership role in many of Liberty Hill’s environmental justice coalitions and networks, convening solution-oriented workshops, managing clean energy business and residential outreach, and forging ties between CBOs, environmental advocates

and the private and public sectors. He was the lead author of Liberty Hill’s 2017 report, Green Zones and Grassroots, that assessed climate investment impacts on LA County DACs and how programs can prioritize grassroots leadership to raise equitable outcomes of future investments. Ben is a 2014 graduate of UCLA’s Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning program.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation

LISC equips struggling communities with the capital, strategy and know-how to become places where

people can thrive.

Working with local leaders we invest in housing, health, education, public safety and employment - all

basic needs that must be tackled at once so that progress in one is not undermined by neglect in

another.

Sharing our expertise of 30-plus years, we bring together key local players to take on pressing

challenges and incubate new solutions. With them, we help develop smarter public policy. Our toolkit

is extensive. It includes loans, grants, equity investments and on-the-ground experience in some of

America’s neediest neighborhoods.

Work includes:

• Health

o LISC’s approach to improving health in underserved places is holistic: we promote

affordable, green housing, safety, good education, job opportunities and financial

stability—all of which factor into the health and wellbeing of a community. But we also

target our work to shore up three fundamental resources every neighborhood needs to

keep residents well: easy access to pri­mary health care, affordable, nutritious food and

safe places to exercise.

Tunua Thrash-Ntuk | Executive Director A native Angeleno, Tunua Thrash-Ntuk is the Executive Director of Los Angeles Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LA LISC). She is a seasoned community and economic development practitioner of more than 15-years with both non-profit and private sector experiences. Her strengths range from community advocacy to asset and real estate development around neighborhood revitalization. She has already led a number of important urban initiatives in Los Angeles focused on affordable housing

and commercial development as well as transit-oriented projects. Prior to joining LISC, Tunua served as Executive Director of West Angeles Community Development Corporation, during her tenure she was responsible for the asset management and oversight of the WACDC real estate portfolio valued at $150 million. Tunua led the growth of WACDC’s real estate portfolio, in part by brokering a breakthrough in the development, construction and opening of West Angeles Plaza, a 24,000 square foot commercial office project. Tunua serves as a board member or advisory board member to many entities, including Federal Home Loan Bank San Francisco’s Affordable Housing Council, Housing California, City of LA Measure HHH Citizens Oversight Commission, Southern California Edison’s Consumer Advisory Panel, Greenlining Institute, Union Bank’s Community Advisory Board, Frontier Communications Community Advisory Board and the Los Angeles Development Fund, which is the City of Los Angeles’ New Market Tax Credit implementation group.

Moving Forward Network

Moving Forward Network is a nationwide network of 50+ organizations with the shared mission “To transform the global trade system by supporting the organizing, advocacy, education and research efforts of partners around the United States toward improving public health, quality of life, environmental integrity, labor conditions and environmental justice.” Work includes:

• The Zero Campaign o Petitioning the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the power to

end deadly diesel emissions. We call on the EPA to clean our air, protect our planet from global climate change and advance environmental justice by reducing air pollution and promoting zero emissions technologies at every port, rail yard, distribution center, and busy truck corridor across the country.

Angelo Logan | Campaign Director Angelo Logan grew up in the City of Commerce, California and lives in Long Beach. He is the co-founder of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice (EYCEJ), and has worked with a wide variety of coalitions to achieve health protective policies, particularly regarding goods movement and Green Zones. Angelo currently serves on several organizations working to protect community health, including the South Coast Air Quality Management District Environmental Justice Advisory

Group, I-710 Corridor Advisory Committees, Southern California Association of Governments Goods Movement Task Force and the City of Commerce’s Environmental Justice Task Force and Green Zones-Policy Working Group.

Mujeres de la Tierra (MDLT)

Mujeres de la Tierra (MDLT), an environmental equity organization, inspires and teaches women and

their children to take ownership and leadership of their neighborhood issues and concerns. Our

strategy is to help them identify holistic and practical approaches to solving local and environmental

woes with their family needs. Mujeres supports and encourages the building of healthier and

sustainable neighborhoods through public engagement and individual participation.

MDLT believes in the power of one and that community action starts with individual participation. We firmly believe that families and residents in our neighborhoods should be empowered to lead their issues and determine what’s best for them, their families and community.

Irma Muñoz| President & Founder

Irma Muñoz is the Founder/President of Mujeres de la Tierra – an avant-garde environmental non-profit focused on healing la Madre Tierra and re-defining the traditional “green” dialogue in Los Angeles, California. She has served as Environmental Affairs Commissioner with the City of Los Angeles and currently serves as board member of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board – currently serving as chair of both.

In 2013, Ms. Muñoz received the Hispanic Heritage Award from the Aquarium of the Pacific for her dedication to the Hispanic communities and the healing of La Madre Tierra as well as named on Poder Magazine’s Top 100 Green Latinos List. In 2010, 2011 and 2012 Irma was named a “Community Champion” by the Annenberg Foundation www.annenbergfoundation.com for excellence in leadership in Los Angeles County and honored by Senator Curren Price as a “SheHero” for her role in improving the health of families in Senatorial District 26. In 2011, The California State Parks Foundation named her “Park Hero” in their 2011 Annual Report.

Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE)

PACE is a non-profit community development organization founded in 1976 to address the employment and job training needs of the Pacific Asian Islander communities. PACE has since expanded into a variety of service areas, all tailored to meet the growing and changing needs of the multi-ethnic communities in Los Angeles County. Now, in addition to job training and employment services, significant PACE programs encompass: business development; early childhood education; financial education and asset building; housing and rehabilitation services; weatherization and energy-conservation programs; and affordable housing development. The guiding principle in all our programs is the idea of expanding opportunity. In our Early Childhood Education program, that means helping children build a strong foundation for academic success. In the Business Development Center it means fostering creativity and encouraging entrepreneurship. And through our Energy and Environmental Services, it means promoting an improved quality of life and preservation of our environment.

Celia Andrade | Director, Energy & Environmental Services Department, PACE and Environmental Justice Committee Co-Chair, A3PCON

Celia has more than 20 years’ experience in developing and successfully managing programs and projects in the fields of publishing, marketing and energy efficiency. She was born and raised in Manila, Philippines where she completed her Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Communications from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. She completed her Master in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach in one and a half years, earning a 4.0 GPA while working full time. She represents PACE in several community organizations dedicated to promoting API,

energy efficiency and environmental justice concerns in various capacities: Co-Chair, A3PCON Environmental Justice Committee; Member, Association of Women in Water, Energy & Environment (AWWEE) Los Angeles Regional Leadership Team; Member, Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF) Campaign Committee; Member, California Climate Equity Coalition (CCEC) Energy Committee; Member, Asian Pacific American Climate Change Coalition (APACCC); Member, Association of California Community & Energy Services (ACCES); Member, Cal EPA Disadvantaged Community (DAC) Outreach Stakeholder Group; Member, 350.org; Member, CSD LIWP Stakeholder Group; Member, East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Engineering & Technologies Department Advisory Group; Member, Los Angeles (LA)Sustainability PLAn Stakeholder Group; Member, National Association of Professional Women (NAPW). Celia loves to watch TV, movies and read. Her latest craze: watching Korean soaps and historical dramas.

Plug In America

Plug In America is a non-profit, supporter-driven advocacy group. We are the voice of plug-in vehicle drivers across the country. Our mission is to drive change to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We help consumers, policy-makers, auto manufacturers and others to understand the powerful benefits of driving electric. We provide practical, objective information to help consumers select the best plug-in vehicle for their lifestyles and needs. Plug In America founded National Drive Electric Week, the world’s largest celebration of the plug-in vehicle, which welcomed over 120,000 attendees across 235 events in 2016 (its sixth year), spanning 46 states, eight Canadian provinces and seven countries.

Work includes:

• Sharing consumer EV experiences.

• Advocating for writing to elected officials to get more EVs on the road.

• EV Clubs.

Joel Levin | Executive Director

Joel is an advocate for low-carbon technologies and a frequent speaker and writer on topics relating to electric vehicles, clean energy, water policy and climate policy. He is focused on continuing to build Plug In America as the leading independent voice for electric vehicles in the United States. Prior to joining Plug In America, he served as vice president for business development at the Climate Action Reserve, the state-

chartered nonprofit that runs North America’s largest carbon offset registry. Joel has an MBA from UC Berkeley and an MA in international economics from the Johns Hopkins University. He drives a Nissan LEAF and mostly charges at home on a Clipper Creek HCS-50 Level 2 charging station.

Mary Kathryn Campbell | Program Manager

Mary Kathryn aims to harness the power of the broad Plug In America community to help advance our mission. She is responsible for managing National Drive Electric Week, the world’s largest coordinated EV celebration, with partner organizations Electric Auto Association and the Sierra Club. MK is also spearheading Plug In America’s experiential ride and drive learning series and brings extensive editorial experience to the team.

Prior to Plug In America, she served as a Project Manager for CALSTART, a national non-profit clean transportation consortium, as a Co-Executive Director of the Renewable Energy Policy Project, a renewable energy policy think tank, and as an Acquisitions Editor for The McGraw-Hill Companies, a Fortune 100 publisher in Washington, D.C.. She also worked as an Acquisitions and Special Projects Editor for The Times Mirror Company, and as Database Editor for the Center for Energy & Environmental Management (CEEM) in Fairfax, VA.

San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization

The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is a non-profit based in Fresno, working throughout

California to use clean energy to improve the quality of life in rural places. Through energy efficiency

programs they work to bring access and awareness closer to home. They fundamentally believe that

all Californian’s deserve more efficient, more reliable, and more affordable energy.

SJVCEO work with cities, counties, and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of

energy efficiency and alternative forms of energy. They have been in Partnership with SCE since 2009

as in implementer of the Local Government Partnership programs in the Valley and High Desert

regions.

The organization’s 10-year history tells their story: municipal leadership, small business innovation,

non-profit collaboration, Utility partnership, workforce development and training, and persistent

doers committed to a shared vision.

Courtney Kalashian | Executive Director Courtney joined the SJVCEO in 2008 and was named Executive Director in 2012. Courtney is an energy efficiency enthusiast and Valley native working under the motto, ‘proudly, boldly rural’. She lives for energy data and loves the public sector. Courtney currently serves as co-chair for the Rural Hard to Reach LGP Working Group as well as the California Energy Efficiency Coordinating Committee Public Sector subcommittee. Any success is because of her amazing SJVCEO team doing all the real work.

Social Justice Learning Institute

The Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI) works to fundamentally improve the lives of urban communities of color. To achieve this goal, SJLI helps individuals and groups build their capacity to assess injustices, and then use their own agency to advocate for, and achieve, health and educational equity.

Derek Steele| Health Equity Programs Director

Trained as an engineer, Steele finds teamwork to be a fundamental pillar of how he leads SJLI's Health Equity Programs area. Following a hypertension diagnosis, he and his family began evaluating the food options in their community and similar communities. Finding very few affordable and healthy food options, the solution needed was for the community to develop a local food movement. Co-architect of the 100 Seeds of Change initiative with Nicole Steele, he now oversees all health focused operations

and programs offered by SJLI, as well as providing policy and advocacy leadership which articulate the community’s health priorities

Strategic Solutions Group

Strategic Solutions Group, Inc. (SSG), is a firm specializing in a full array of Community Outreach

and Education, Strategic Communications, Marketing, Advertising and Public Affairs. SSG Inc.

provides these services for a diverse and demanding client base including corporations and non-

profits, federal, state and local municipalities.

Work includes:

• Outreach, Marketing and Communications

• Workforce Outreach, Development and Staffing

• Labor and Prevailing Wage Compliance

• Project Labor Agreement Advisory Services

• Sustainability Strategy and Planning

Candace Bond McKeever | President & CEO With over 20 years of managerial experience in strategic business and workforce development, Candace Bond McKeever has been retained by leading corporations, non-profits and government agencies to assist in the development of targeted initiatives that connect with communities and critical social causes. Historically, she has held senior management positions in a number of iconic media and financial companies including Essence Magazine, Motown Record Company, and Prudential-Bache Capital Funding.

Ms. Bond McKeever received her B.A. with honors from Harvard University and her M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in Cambridge, MA. She received her Executive Management degree in Sustainability from the Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco, CA and her executive certification from the USC Ross Program for Real Estate. She currently serves as a Los Angeles County Department of Education Board Member, Vice Chair of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Development Corporation in Watts, CA, and actively serves as a Trustee for Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, Children’s Institute Inc., the Ford Theatre and the Alliance for Veterans. She was recently named Los Angeles County Commission’s Woman of the Year for the 2nd District for her work in advancing community health care.

The Greenlining Institute

Clean Energy Access Working Group Co-Convener

OUR VISION

Everyone deserves a clean and healthy environment. We are creating a world in which all

communities have clean air and water, where one’s life expectancy is not determined by zip code,

race or income. Communities of color need access to economic opportunities from the growing

green economy, which represents an opportunity to bring good paying jobs and capital to

communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.

THE CHALLENGE

While climate change and pollution hurt us all, communities of color suffer first and worst.

Existing climate change policies and programs have not adequately addressed

these disparities. Communities of color often lack access to green programs, resources, and

opportunities. Investments in green technologies can both improve the environment and provide

pathways out of poverty, but frequently have failed to reach the communities most in need.

Despite a massive U.S. drought, many stakeholders still believe climate change is

made up. Often only the wealthy get to benefit from climate change programs although all utility

customers subsidize climate change efforts.

Our Response

Greenlining develops policies to improve public health and environmental quality

for low-income communities and communities of color while bringing “green” dollars to

these communities. We help communities be resilient so they can thrive in the face of climate

change. Our current projects include:

• Investing in Disadvantaged Communities – We are ensuring that revenues from California’s cap-

and-trade program:

• help communities of color adapt to climate change

• create economic opportunities

• protect small businesses

• are returned to ratepayers on their energy bills

Greenlining sponsored and helped pass critical legislation, SB 535, that is helping to achieve

many of these goals. We are now working to pass new legislation, AB 1550, to improve and

expand this important program.

• Electric Cars and Trucks: Charging Ahead – We were among the first to highlight the obstacles to

widespread use of electric cars and trucks in communities of color and low-income

neighborhoods in our landmark report, “Electric Vehicles: Who’s Left Stranded?” Today,

Greenlining serves on the steering committee of the Charge Ahead California Campaign, which

successfully worked to pass and now helps implement the Charge Ahead California Initiative (SB

1275, De León), a law to put a million electric cars, trucks and buses on California’s roads and

ensure that low-income communities of color have access to clean vehicles.

• Our report, “Electric Carsharing in Underserved Communities: Considerations for Program

Success,” has helped shape pilot programs to provide electric vehicle carsharing services to low-

income communities.

• Electric car and truck advocates regularly use our resource, “Electric Vehicles for All: An Equity

Toolkit” to ensure EV policies and programs reach low-income communities of color. And we

worked with the Union of Concerned Scientists to create “Delivering Opportunity: How Electric

Buses and Trucks Can Create Jobs and Improve Public Health in California,” examining the many

benefits of electrifying trucks and buses.

We have helped spur creation of at least 1,625 electric car and truck charging stations in

disadvantaged and low-income California communities, and continue to advocate for equitable

charging station investments.

• Creating an Inclusive Clean Energy Economy – We work to build a diverse, inclusive clean energy

economy in California by encouraging transparency in business contracting and leveling the

playing field for diverse businesses. Greenlining sponsored the EmPower California Act (AB 865),

which will require the California Energy Commission (CEC) and recipients of CEC funds to take

steps to boost procurement from women-, minority-, disabled veteran- and LGBTQ-owned

businesses. Greenlining also convened ethnic business chambers and associations throughout

the state to share information about new contracting opportunities from California’s

environmental policies and to hear about challenges ethnic businesses face in accessing public

contracts. In addition, Greenlining helps manage CalSEED, a funding and professional

development program for innovators in the clean energy sector. Greenlining aims to bring

diverse applicants into the program, and promote equity-led clean energy solutions.

• Transformative Climate Communities — Cities and community-based organizations have done

great work creating community-led action plans to address pollution and climate change, but

often lack the resources to implement these plans quickly and effectively. So Greenlining

sponsored and helped pass SB 2722, a program to fund the development and implementation of

neighborhood-level transformative climate community plans. These efforts “connect the dots”

between multiple, coordinated greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects in disadvantaged

communities to meet multiple goals: Cutting carbon emissions, cleaning the air, saving energy,

improving transportation and creating good jobs and opportunities for local businesses.

• UpLiftCA – UpLiftCA was created by The Greenlining Institute in partnership with the SB 535

Coalition, led by the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Coalition for Clean Air, The Greenlining

Institute and Public Advocates. We are also indebted to the Natural Resources Defense Council

for essential support and partnership. We work to ensure that California climate policies bring

opportunities and investments to California’s underserved communities. The stories on UpLiftCA

highlight the benefits of California clean energy policies.

• Mobility Equity Framework –– Greenlining is working to develop an equitable decision-making

framework for local, county, regional, and state transportation planning and investments that

will meet the specific mobility needs of low-income communities of color. This decision-making

framework seeks to meet communities’ mobility needs in a way that increases access to clean

mobility options, reduces air pollution, and enhances economic opportunity.

• Climate Resiliency — Climate resiliency focuses on how our communities prepare for and adapt

to the effects of climate change, like drought, sea level rise, extreme heat conditions and wildfire.

Climate change impacts hit low-income communities of color the hardest, and these

communities often have the fewest resources to cope with these effects. In 2016, Greenlining

joined the Climate Justice Working Group to assess equity in the Safeguarding California Plan, the

state’s climate adaptation strategy. The CJWG provided feedback to make sure California

prioritizes health, environmental, and economic equity in vulnerable communities.

Stephanie Chen | Energy & Telecommunications Director and Clean Energy Access Working Group Co-convener

Stephanie Chen directs Greenlining’s advocacy in energy and telecommunications policy. She oversees Greenlining’s legal counsel at the California Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Communications Commission, who advocate on a wide range of issues impacting underserved consumers and small businesses. Stephanie has litigated several high-profile cases impacting billions of dollars in utility rates, winning broad statewide protections for communities of color, low income

ratepayers and small business owners.

University of California, Davis

The EV Policy Council is coordinated by Dr. Tom Turrentine and Dr. Scott Hardman of the Plug-in Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center. The EV Policy Council is formed of scientists, academics, and researchers from around the world. These experts all work together to produce policy guides that are backed up by empirical evidence from the research completed by members of the council. The resulting policy guides are worked on by the council until the policy recommendations are agreed upon.

Dr. Tom Turrentine is Director of the Plug-in Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center at the Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis. For the past 25 years, Tom has been researching consumer response to alternative fuels, vehicle technologies, road systems, and policies with environmental benefits. His most recent work includes monitoring local and global trends in the PEV market, leading the development of "Taking Charge," California's plan for electrification of transport, and several multi-year projects to study consumer use of plug-in vehicles. He and Dr. Scott Hardman of the Plug-in

Hybid & Electric Vehicle Research Center also coordinate the World EV Policy Council, which is formed of scientists, academics, and researchers from around the world. These experts all work together to produce policy guides that are backed up by empirical evidence from the research completed by members of the council. The resulting policy guides are worked on by the council until the policy recommendations are agreed upon.

Tom Turrentine | Director, Plug-in Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center; Research Anthropologist, ITS-Davis

Valley Clean Air Now

Valley Clean Air Now (Valley CAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to creating quantifiable and voluntary solutions to air quality challenges in California’s San Joaquin Valley, one of the most polluted regions in the country.

Our work includes: • Promoting voluntary actions to reduce air pollution by individuals, government, agriculture,

business and industry • Initiating and publicizing creative new approaches to reduce air pollution • Sponsoring pilot programs and educational efforts to reduce high emissions sources • Hosting the Tune In & Tune Up weekend smog test events sponsored by the Valley Air

District

Tom Knox | Executive Director

Tom Knox has implemented a variety of public affairs programs throughout California for two decades, with extensive experience in issues management and coalition building at the grassroots level. Tom founded and manages Valley Clean Air Now, a qualified IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to positive and proactive approaches to improving air quality in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Their signature program, Tune In & Tune Up, has received two of California’s top environmental honors, California Council for

Environmental and Economic Balance (CCEEB)’s Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Award and the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award. Tune In & Tune Up has become a key component of the San Joaquin Valley’s leadership toward carbon reduction and transportation electrification in disadvantaged communities.

Village Solutions Foundation

Village Solutions Foundation (VSF) is a nonprofit Faith-Based Community Development Corporation. Through education, civic engagement, and community-economic development, VSF strives to instill hope, faith and values while inspiring individuals within the community to reach their highest potential as confident, productive and caring community leaders and citizens. Work includes: Central to the VSF CDC’s “Building A Better Community Initiative” is the fundamental commitment to give the communities it serves the best opportunities to progress through-and into their faith inspired vision. We believe these opportunities are best provided in communities with a diverse mix of affordable housing and financial options for people of all incomes. Every day, we work together as a team, combining our expertise to develop and deliver paradigms that engage effective/affective community stabilization and revitalization solutions by working with community and stakeholder partners providing qualitative-quantitative opportunities within the communities where we live, work, and worship.

Reverend Frank Jackson | Chief Executive Officer Frank Jackson, Jr. serves as the Community Initiatives Fellow at the University of Southern California, Center for Religion and Civic Culture. He is also the Chairman and CEO of Village Solutions Foundation in Irvine, CA. He has a career spanning over twenty-years in corporate securities and real estate transactions with Taco Bell, Pacific Life Pacific Investment Management Company, Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, Morrison & Foerster, and, finally, O’Melveny & Myers, as a professional legal assistant and

transactions administrator. Rev. Jackson is an active member of his community, he has served as a member of the Pacific Life Foundation, as a member of the Board of Directors and Investment Committee Chairman of Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, the Board of Directors and Economic Development Chair of the 100 Black Men of Orange County (he is a two time recipient of its Passport Award), and as the Community Coordinator for the COR Community Development Corporation, in Irvine. He is an ordained minister and in May of 2010 completed a fellowship assignment as ministry director at COR North on the California State University Fullerton campus, a ministry of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church of Irvine. He serves on the ministerial staff, and as community initiatives advisor to the Council of Presidents at New Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church of Inglewood, California, where he has served for 15 years.