CPN’s Emily Stiever shared DC SUN’s solar co-op lessons learned at Fulbright Enrichment Seminar

Community Power Network Chief of Staff https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/nancy-HOA-1.jpg participated earlier this month in a panel discussion focused on creating sustainable communities in the Washington, DC area. She described the how DC SUN, a project of Community Power Network, has used neighborhood solar co-ops to transform Washington, D.C.’s solar landscape.

The panel, hosted by the Institute for International Education, examined efforts to build sustainability in Greater Washington through novel business approaches, community boards, renewable resources, and city policies. The panelists came from organizations that combine environmental objectives with strong community engagement component in their model. Emily shared how CPN serves as a resource to a grassroots network of local, state and national organizations that work to increase adoption of renewable energy. She also highlighted the organization’s theory of change, which is to start with on-the-ground projects as a way to organize communities and lay the groundwork for policy advocacy.

Dan Guilbeault, Sustainability Program Analyst at the District Department of the Environment moderated the panel. Other speakers included: Wendy Howard, Executive Director of Green Wheaton and Scott Pomeroy, Sustainability Manager of the Downtown DC Business Improvement District.