EERMC Annual Public Forum
EERMC PUBLIC FORUM – Summer 2023
ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR ALL RHODE ISLANDERS: Community-Based Coordination – Thursday, August 10th
With the help of University of Rhode Island (URI) Cooperative Extension, the 2023 EEC Public Forum took a new and more direct approach to reaching target audiences by partnering with the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Health Equity Zone (HEZ) Initiative. The HEZ Initiative’s mission is to build a healthy and resilient Rhode Island by investing in communities and their capacity to affect change.
On August 10, 2023, URI Cooperative Extension, working on behalf of the EEC, hosted a workshop as part of the all-day HEZ Learning Community Event held at Rhode Island College. These annual events convene HEZ Initiative stakeholders, including a wide array of community-based organizations, for shared learning, training, and technical assistance.
The workshop featured industry experts who spoke about the wide reaching health and financial benefits of energy efficiency and outlined programs available in the state. Then the workshop’s 80 participants broke out into groups and discussed community-based approaches to improving access to and participation in energy efficiency programs.
EERMC PUBLIC FORUM – Spring 2022
COVID-19 CROSSROADS: Achieving Equitable Health Outcomes through Energy Efficiency – Tuesday, April 19th
As we navigate a new era of complex issues surrounding energy and climate change, Rhode Island is poised for action through bold decision-making and coordinated efforts. This virtual public forum brought together expert panelists in a variety of roles to discuss the future of our energy landscape – from state goals to regional collaboration and national leadership.
From her leadership position at the United States Department of Energy, keynote speaker Whitney Muse kicked off the event with a national perspective on America’s energy future, discussing the country’s most pressing challenges and opportunities related to energy efficiency, environmental justice and more.
The first panel focused on the role of cross-state cooperation in New England’s energy future. New England’s six states face unique challenges, as relatively small geographic jurisdictions that must approach energy issues both individually and together. The second panel brought together the two co-sponsors of the 2021 Act on Climate, as well as energy efficiency and sustainability leaders in the public and private sectors to discuss: Now that the ink is dry on the law, what’s next?
Watch the recorded forum on YouTube.
EERMC ANNUAL PUBLIC FORUM – Fall 2020
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE: A Turning Point for Rhode Island’s Energy Future – Tuesday, April 19th
The fourth annual EERMC Public Forum, COVID-19 Crossroads: Achieving Equitable Health Outcomes Through Energy Efficiency, was held virtually on Thursday, September 24, 2020. Driven by the wide-ranging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Forum focused on the relationships between public health, equity, and energy efficiency and featured health and energy experts from across the U.S. Nearly 100 industry professionals, decision-makers and joined the event. Anthony Hubbard, EERMC Chair, gave welcoming remarks, followed by keynote speaker Reilly Loveland of the New Buildings Institute in Portland, OR who set the stage talking about the investments needed around efficiency, equity and health – and how that progress can be tracked.
The first panel, The Intersectionality of Energy, Socioeconomic Status, Race & Health, featured representatives from RI Office of Energy Resources, United Way of Rhode Island, Tohn Environmental Strategies, and Children’s Mercy Kansas City. The second panel, Opportunities for Improvement: Models and Solutions for the Future, featured industry leaders representing Energy Marketers Association, Green and Healthy Homes Initiative, NY State Energy Research and Development Authority, and Habitat for Humanity Rhode Island.
Watch the recorded forum on YouTube.