On October 10, the Center’s webinar, “Rising to the Challenge: How State Public Utilities Commissions Can Advance Clean Energy and Energy Justice,” explored how public utilities commissions can promote the adoption of clean energy while protecting low-wealth customers and promoting social inclusion.
It’s become increasingly clear that reforming our energy grid is a crucial piece of the puzzle for meeting decarbonization and climate justice goals. But who are the decision makers who have the power to advance — or resist — this needed change? In most states, they are a lesser known political body called a public utilities commission (PUC), and each commission’s willingness to listen to concerned citizens and frontline communities can vary widely.
Environmental justice campaigns that center PUCs will therefore look different from state to state and require a combination of policy know-how, community engagement, and all kinds of expertise. This webinar has something for everyone concerned about energy policy where they live.
Our speakers shared unique legal, technical, and advocacy angles to encourage everyone to engage with their state PUC as we rise to meet the challenges of climate change and environmental racism. PUCs can and should promote energy equity and justice in their role as economic and environmental regulators, and our webinar will show the public how to make that happen.
Our speakers:
- Alexandra Klass is the James G. Degnan Professor of Law at Michigan Law and a Member Scholar and the Center for Progressive Reform.
- Justin Lindemann is a Policy Analyst with the NC Clean Energy Technology Center at NC State University.
- Diamond Spratling, MPH is Founder & Executive Director of Girl Plus Environment.
- Sophie Loeb is a policy analyst at the Center for Progressive Reform and will serve as moderator. She is the author of Rising to the Challenge: How State Public Utilities Commissions Can Use the Inflation Reduction Act to Advance Clean Energy.
Download the webinar slide deck
Watch the recording
