Greetings Midwest BDC!
We have had a busy start to 2023 here in the Coalition! In January, we hosted our Annual Meeting, where we spent a day together discussing the norms and priorities we want to carry into 2023, as well as voting on our Inaugural Board of Directors. As always, it was a productive meeting that energized and propelled us into the work that needs to be done this coming year, as well as a space to reflect on our accomplishments in 2022.
February is Black History Month, and we want to take a moment to honor the history of our movement – Environmental Justice was pioneered by Black leaders. Marnese is leading a Climate Justice 101 training later this month that further explores this history. In the meantime, feel free to check out the below articles and revisit the Leading Black Women in Decarbonization Roundtable discussion hosted at the 2022 Equity Summit.
The Environmental Justice Movement Is Rooted In Black History
10 Black Environmentalists to Know About in 2022
Why Black History is the Blueprint to Climate Justice
Is there an action you would like to see MWBDC take to honor Black History Month? If you have a reflection you would like to share on our blog or social media, feel free to reach out to Maggie with your idea.
In this newsletter, we are sharing tons of resources – a new blog post, training videos, toolkits, and upcoming webinar opportunities. There are multiple EPA funding opportunities featured, open job positions, and as always our news roundup.
Read more about our newly elected board members in this newsletter – we are so excited to be working with them to advance the Coalition’s transition to an independent 501c3 organization. You may notice another transition – MWBDC Co-Lead Margaret Cherne-Hendrick is moving from her role on Coalition staff to a Board Member. We are grateful to still have her in this movement and look forward to collaborating with her in new ways! Thank you so much for all you’ve done, Margaret – and here’s to continuing the work together. 🥂
– Marnese, Jacob, and Maggie
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
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We want to highlight our Inaugural Board of Directors for our February Member Spotlight! Coalition Members voted on the board at our Annual Meeting on January 13. With diverse expertise, geographic representation across the Midwest, and a shared dedication to our mission of Equitable Decarbonization, we know this group is going to do great things.
Learn more about each of our board members on our website: https://midwestdecarb.org/board-of-directors/
COALITION CALENDAR
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To view upcoming working group meetings and other Coalition events online, visit midwestdecarb.org/calendar.
February 2: Federal Policy Working Group
The Federal Policy Working Group meets every other Thursday for 90 minutes at 11 AM CST / 12 PM EST. To participate, please email Marnese.
February 6: Youth Working Group
The Youth Working Group meets for 60 minutes at 5 PM CST / 6 PM EST. To participate, please email Marnese.
February 8: Affordable Housing/QAP Working Group
This group meets every third Tuesday of the month at 3:30 PM CST/ 4:30 PM EST. To participate please email Marnese.
February 8: MWBDC Monthly Meeting
The monthly meeting takes place the second Wednesday of each month for 90 minutes at 2 PM CST / 3 PM EST. Register here.
February 9: Governance Working Group
The Governance Working Group meets every other Thursday at 9 AM CST / 10 AM EST. To participate, please email Marnese.
February 9: Building Decarbonization 101
How is decarbonization different from efficiency? Why are buildings so important? What’s all this about electrification? Join our Co-Director Jacob Serfling, Manager of Building Policy and Technology, for this overview of Building Decarbonization, and why it’s so critical to do well and to do equitably.
February 16: Federal Policy Working Group
The Federal Policy Working Group meets every other Thursday for 90 minutes at 11 AM CST / 12 PM EST. To participate, please email Marnese.
February 16: Climate Justice 101
We talk a lot about Climate Justice – but how do we really put it into practice? This training will dive into the nuts and bolts of understanding the movement, policy efforts, and practical steps to achieve justice. Join us to learn and reflect on some of the core principles of our movement. Facilitated by Marnese Jackson, Co-Director of the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition.
Feel free to re-orient yourself with the 10 Principles for Just Climate Change Policies in the U.S. ahead of this meeting.
February 20: Youth Working Group
The Youth Working Group meets for 60 minutes at 5 PM CST / 6 PM EST. To participate, please email Marnese.
February 21: New Member Orientation
New member orientation is every 4th Tuesday of the month at 12 PM CST / 1 PM EST. Click here to register.
February 22: Faith Working Group
This group meets at 11:30 AM CST / 12:30 PM EST for 90 minutes. To participate, please contact Marnese.
February 23: Governance Working Group
The Governance Working Group meets every other Thursday at 9 AM CST / 10 AM EST. To participate, please email Marnese.
February 23: Healing Justice Working Group
This group meets at 10:30 AM CST / 11:30 AM EST for 60 minutes. To participate, please contact Marnese.
February 23: Utility Commissions, Processes, and Structures: RAP Webinar Series
Today, nontraditional stakeholders are increasing their engagement with utility commissions. They can benefit from understanding how to improve their access and the effectiveness of their participation. In this webinar, Dave Farnsworth and Camille Kadoch from the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) will provide an introductory look at utility commissions, their responsibilities, limitations, and related processes with an eye toward increased public participation.
Optional Reading: Electricity Regulation in the US: A Guide (Second Edition)
- The Purpose and History of Utility Regulation (Ch. 1-2)
- Commissions and What does a Regulator Actually Regulate? (Ch. 4,5,24)
- Participation and Procedure (Ch. 6,7)
February 27: Local Codes and Standards Working Group
This group meets every month on the fourth Wednesday at 10 AM CST / 11 AM EST. To participate, contact Jacob.
March 2: AWHI Steering Committee
This group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 10 AM CST / 11 AM EST. To participate, email Jacob.
March 2: Federal Policy Working Group
The Federal Policy Working Group meets every other Thursday for 90 minutes at 11 AM CST / 12 PM EST. To participate, please email Marnese.
For full details about all Coalition working groups, keep reading.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Membership Forms
Have you filled out your Membership Forms yet? If you want to be an official member of the Coalition, learn more and fill out the application form here.
Newly Updated MWBDC Resources Page!
Check out the updated resources page on the MWBDC website – now including the principles we follow at our meetings (as suggested at the Annual Meeting). If there are any other additions you’d like to see added to the page, let Maggie know at [email protected]
Guest Blog Post: Decolonizing Decarbonization
This guest blog was written by Katharine Bierce in response to the 2022 Equity Summit. As she puts it, “If you want to be an activist, an organizer, or make a difference, you can work on your active listening skills, show up with curiosity, and ask questions. Don’t assume that even these ideas here are the answers, because the colonial mindset of showing up with the answer is not what we want to perpetuate. If we want to decolonize our imaginations, we need to remember that the process we use matters as much as the result.”
Check out the full blog on our website here!
Clean Heat Infrastructure Video
Check out this video hosted by Jacob Serfling, Co-Director of the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition, and Connor Jansen, Technical Service Director at Slipstream, to learn about Clean Heat Infrastructure in the Midwest!
Clean heat infrastructure is a service that provides a campus, community, or group of buildings with a combination of non-combustion heating, cooling, and/or domestic hot water. Learn more about the Midwest Clean Heat Infrastructure Accelerator on Slipstream’s website: https://slipstreaminc.org/clean-energy-infrastructure
QAP (Qualified Allocation Plans) Commenting Toolkit
Check out this comprehensive guide from Quinn Biever laying out how anyone can submit comments on their state’s QAP. Quinn also led a webinar going over the toolkit – check it out a recording on our YouTube channel here!
“While there are organizations and individuals that have familiarity and experience submitting comments to their state’s Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP), there are many that do not. This is unfortunate because, as we will discuss, a QAP is a policy document that impacts all of our communities by shaping the type, amount, and quality of low-income housing that is developed and rehabilitated. Because bureaucratic barriers and a perceived lack of housing policy expertise have historically prevented organizations and individuals from having a voice in this process, the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition (MWBDC) partnered with Elevate to create this toolkit so that anyone can have access and contribute their own formal comments.”
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Environmental Justice Advisory Group
The environmental justice advisory group (EJAG) advises the MPCA commissioner on the implementation of the agency’s environmental justice framework, provides feedback on its effectiveness, and offers suggestions for future improvements. This includes:
- Providing recommendations to the MPCA commissioner on improvements to policies and procedures to ensure integration of environmental justice principles into the MPCA’s work.
- Collaborating with the MPCA to improve civic engagement with environmental justice communities and acting as liaisons to strengthen communications and relationships between environmental justice communities and the MPCA.
- Sharing oral history and community experiences so the agency can better understand the communities they serve and inform community-based solutions.
The deadline to apply is February 13, 2023. Learn more here.
Beyond Land Acknowledgement Event
Tangletown’s Equity Committee is hosting an online educational event, Beyond Land Acknowledgement, with a presentation and discussion led by the Native Governance Center on February 9 from 6:30-7:30 PM.
At this event, we will consider how organizations primarily focus on land acknowledgment verbiage, rather than the all-important action steps for supporting Indigenous communities. Attendees will learn about actions they can take to give meaning to the words in a land acknowledgment. This event will be held online via zoom and we will have time at the end for attendees to ask questions.
Learn more and register here.
Upcoming Trainings
We have a ton of exciting trainings coming up in the next few months! Learn more and register for each of these at midwestdecarb.org/calendar.
Building Decarbonization 101
How is decarbonization different from efficiency? Why are buildings so important? What’s all this about electrification? Join our Co-Director Jacob Serfling, Manager of Building Policy and Technology, for this overview of Building Decarbonization, and why it’s so critical to do well and to do equitably. Register here!
Climate Justice 101
We talk a lot about Climate Justice – but how do we really put it into practice? This training will dive into the nuts and bolts of understanding the movement, policy efforts, and practical steps to achieve justice. Join us to learn and reflect on some of the core principles of our movement. Facilitated by Marnese Jackson, Co-Director of the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition. Register here!
Feel free to re-orient yourself with the 10 Principles for Just Climate Change Policies in the U.S. ahead of this meeting.
RAP (Regulatory Assistance Project) Webinar SeriesWe have three RAP trainings coming up in February and March! Read full descriptions of these trainings below:
Utility Commisions, Processes, and Structures: Today, nontraditional stakeholders are increasing their engagement with utility commissions. They can benefit from understanding how to improve their access and the effectiveness of their participation. In this webinar, Dave Farnsworth and Camille Kadoch from the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) will provide an introductory look at utility commissions, their responsibilities, limitations, and related processes with an eye toward increased public participation. Register here!
Gas Utility Reform: Gas utilities are facing an uncertain future. The possibility of a loss of customers is leading these entities to search for low/zero-GHG gas alternatives, despite their cost, limited availability, and air quality concerns. How should policymakers start to reform the regulation of gas utilities to limit risks to ratepayers and promote equitable and efficient decarbonization of the building sector? In this webinar, Mark LeBel and Megan Anderson from the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) will explore the topic of gas utility reform and conduct a discussion with participants. Register here!
Fundamentals of Utility Planning: One of the most important opportunities in the power sector to advocate for decarbonization, consumer protections, and social equity is to engage in utility resource planning. In this webinar, Elaine Prause and Jessica Shipley from the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) will explore the fundamentals of robust utility system planning to support public participation and decision-making in the public interest. Register here!
Justice40 Advocacy at the State Level
The Justice40 Initiative states that “The Federal Government has made it a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.”
This webinar, led by Ardie Griffin, Policy Analyst and Legislative Director at Emerald Cities Collaborative, will explore how we can advocate for the implementation of these Justice40 goals at the State level. Ardie will explore the two main funding mechanisms affected by the Justice40 Initiative: Formula Grants and Competitive Grants.If you would like to learn more about how the Justice40 Initiative works at the Federal and State levels, prepare to apply for funding through one of these grant sources, or advocate for proper funding allocations, this webinar is for you! Register now.
Job Openings
Manager, Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity | ACEEE
Senior or Managing Director, Inclusive Finance, Energy Access and Equity | Fresh Energy
Policy Analyst, Electrification | Energy Innovation
Senior Project Manager | National Housing Trust
Digital Manager | Gas Leaks
Digital Content Creator | Gas Leaks
Just Transition Lawyering Network Manager Taproot Earth
Midwest Equitable Building Decarbonization Advocate | NRDC
Senior Researcher- Energy Systems Engineering | Slipstream
Campaign Representative – Healthy Communities and Building Decarbonization (Michigan) | Sierra Club
Director of the Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office | Department of Energy
Director of the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office | Department of Energy
RMI:
- Senior Associate – Carbon-Free Mobility
- Industrial Electrification Manager, Carbon-Free Electricity (CA)
- Industrial Electrification Manager, Carbon-Free Electricity (Houston)
- Manager – Community Engagement
Do you have announcements for the next Newsletter? Share them with Maggie at [email protected].
RESOURCES
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HVAC Choices for Student Health and Learning: What Policymakers, School Leaders, and Advocates Need to Know about All-Electric, High-Performance HVAC
This report from RMI makes the case for transitioning schools to these modern systems — most often featuring electric heat pump technology as a centerpiece. Visit their website here to learn more and download the full report.
Out of Gas, In with Justice
“In 2021, WE ACT for Environmental Justice launched a pilot program called Out of Gas, In with Justice to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy in affordable housing. The program will replace gas stoves with induction stoves in 20 affordable housing homes: 10 in Buffalo – led by our partners at PUSH Buffalo, who will also install air-source heat pumps – and 10 in a New York City Housing Authority (NYHCA) building in the Bronx.”
View the webpage with links to download the full report and watch yesterday’s press conference here.
Justice40 Funding Opportunities Database
Check out this database of Justice40 funding opportunities – they’re sorted by region, focus area, grant type, and more!
Funding Opportunities
CS Fund – Program Launch and Request for Proposals
“CS Fund is launching a new funding program on Just Transitions to advance social and ecological justice for a future grounded in justice, joy, belonging, and liberation for all beings. We are inspired by movement leaders in environmental justice, worker justice, climate justice, Indigenous Sovereignty, Black Liberation and more in their collective framing of Just Transition: “Transition is inevitable. Justice is not.” After hundreds of conversations with movement leaders, frontline organizations, and other funding allies around the globe, the message that CS Fund repeatedly received regarding how we can support work toward Just Transitions is to resource the building of trans-local and transnational connective tissue and the relationship between and across movement sectors and cultures. See the Request for Proposals (RFP) below for more details on eligibility, movement sectors, and geographic focus. Applications are open until March 1, 2023 .”
Chicago Climate Infrastructure Fund
“The City of Chicago Climate Infrastructure Fund is accepting grant applications to support neighborhood projects that mitigate the effects of climate change and accelerate the city’s equitable transition to the green economy.
Individual grants from approximately $50,000 to $250,000 are available through the fund to support capital investments in energy efficiency projects, electric vehicles, and green infrastructure.”
The deadline to apply is February 24, 2023. Learn more about the application and eligibility here.
EPA Environmental Justice Grants, Funding, and Technical Assistance
Check out this list of 2023 grants for Environmental Justice projects from the EPA – and if you’re interested in hearing about future funding opportunities, sign up for the EPA Grants ListServ to receive emails about new grants, webinars, and other information!
EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
“The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program will provide grants to states, territories, tribes, air pollution control agencies, and local governments to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act provides an investment of $5 billion to support efforts by states, territories, municipalities, tribes, and groups thereof to develop and implement strong, local greenhouse gas reduction strategies. This two-staged grant program provides funding of $250 million for planning grants, and $4.6 billion for implementation grants.”
NATIONAL AND REGIONAL NEWS
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*In the Fight Over Gas Stoves, Meet the Industry’s Go-To Scientist January 29, New York Times
$150 million in federal infrastructure rebates can help Wisconsin residents ‘green’ their homes January 9, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Minnesota House passes bill requiring carbon-free electricity by 2040 January 23, MPR News
Minnesota Is Poised to Pass an Ambitious 100 Percent Clean Energy Bill. Now About Those Incinerators… January 30, Inside Climate News
US renters have growing worries over gas stoves – and few options January 27, The Guardian
Oil refineries release lots of water pollution near communities of color, data show January 26, NPR
Utilities use customer dollars to pay for their lobbying. Here’s how lawmakers can stop it. January 26, Grist
Walz plan spends billions for businesses, workers and environment January 19, 2023
Affordable, reliable and sustainable: report compares utility performance January 20, Indiana Captial Chronicle
Ann Arbor wants to get off gas to help save the planet. Is it doable? January 15, MLive
Which states could gain the most from energy-saving building codes? January 16, Canary
Rural Missouri District Will Be One of First to Help Electric School Buses Get Rolling January 11, The Daily Yonder
*Analysis | Funding for environmental justice is coming. Will it reach communities most in need? January 11, The Washington Post
Local View: On the anniversary of Line 3 protests, rallying rolls on for rivers, rights January 8, Duluth News Tribune
Majority of disabled people never go home after disasters January 6, E&E News
Five environmental issues to watch for in Indiana’s 2023 legislative session January 9, Indiana Capital Chronicle
Senate Democrats look for staffers to probe fossil fuels January 5, E&E News
Green jobs are booming, but too few employees have the sustainability skills to fill them – here are 4 ways to close the gap January 5, The Conversation
Chicago company brings climate-friendly development to communities that need it most January 4, Energy News Network
*3 ways to tap billions in new money to go green — starting this month January 2, The Washington Post
Senator’s View: Minnesota benefiting from federal pandemic legislating January 2, Duluth News Tribune
Will Dem Lawmakers Reform Michigan’s Environmental Protections? Planet Detroit, Dec. 20, 2022
NY Climate Council Picks Path to Lofty Green Economy Goals The City, Dec. 19, 2022
Historic redlining has an enduring impact on power plant siting – Axios, Dec. 15, 2022
Advocates want new solutions to reduce energy burden in Xcel’s rate case – Energy New Network, Dec. 16, 2022
‘I’m disappointed’: Nebraska report finds DHHS misspent $4.1 million meant for energy efficiency – KETV Omaha, Dec. 15, 2022
Equitable Building Decarbonization Across the Country: 2022 – NRDC, Dec. 14, 2022
Sounding the call for community-led climate justice policies for buildings and beyond – Getting to Zero, Nov. 8, 2022
Seven decarbonization wins you might have missed in 2022 – RMI, Dec. 14, 2022
Ahead of electric rate increases, Milwaukee organizations talk about municipally-owned utilities CBS 58, Dec. 5, 2022
Renewables to overtake coal and become world’s biggest source of electricity generation by 2025, IEA says – CNBC, Dec. 6 2022
Induction cooking heats up with a $20M cash injection for Impulse – TechCrunch, Nov. 15, 2022
Biden administration makes $80M available to lower energy consumption of public schools – Utility Dive, Nov. 30, 2022
How states are trying to fit gas utilities into a low-carbon future – Canary Media, Dec. 7, 2022
Energy department rule would cut government building emissions by 90% – The Hill, Dec. 7, 2022
Meet four young women involved in the movement to safeguard the Great Lakes – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dec. 8, 2022
Illinois lags in energy efficiency despite new law – Axios, Dec. 13, 2022
How EJ activists helped reverse U.S. opposition to climate aid (featuring MWBDC’s own Rev. Dallas Conyers!) – ClimateWire, Dec. 12, 2022
How to weatherize your home – New York Times, Dec. 7, 2022
*Indicates that unfortunately, this article is behind a paywall.