FACS 2020 Advocacy Kickoff and Workshop
Start: Friday, January 10, 2020• 1:00 PM
End: Friday, January 10, 2020• 4:00 PM
Join Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions and our partners to kick off the new year by diving into local solutions to climate change and brushing up on your advocacy skills. You'll hear from speakers that will prepare you and your faith community to take advantage of new financing opportunities for energy efficiency and clean energy; guide us in our pursuit to become a net zero community; and share opportunities for action in the 2020 Virginia General Assembly. You will also participate in a hands-on training to practice your skills speaking with elected officials. See you there!
Agenda
1:00 - 1:15 p.m. Welcome
1:15 - 1:30 p.m. Legislative Updates
Scott Peterson, FACS co-founder and Chair, FACS Advocacy, will walk us through the bills that FACS is supporting in the Virginia General Assembly as well as review FACS' advocacy priorities for 2020.
1:30 - 2:05 p.m. Creating Clean Energy Access for Faith-Based Organizations & Non-Profits
Financing building improvements and clean energy upgrades using Commercial Property Assessed Clean energy (C-PACE) can help faith-based organizations and non-profits to overcome upfront cost barriers and easily access capital that is paid for over time through savings on utility bills. C-PACE offers low interest rates, long terms to minimize payments, and a solid value proposition for mission-driven organizations that may have difficulty accessing more traditional financing. That's a good deal not only for communities, but for local clean energy business, the regional economy and our shared environment. During this session you will hear from The Virginia PACE Authority, the organization selected to administer the program in Fairfax County as well as Loudoun County.
2:05 - 2:50 p.m. Making a Commitment to Net Zero: How do we get there?
Sam Brooks, a Principal at Integral Group, will inspire us to commit to the Fairfax to Zero net zero energy by 2050 plan and share some strategies on how to get there.
Sam leads the Energy & Climate consulting practice at Integral Group, one of the world’s leading deep green engineering firms. Sam's work focuses on reducing energy costs and risks at the building-, district-, and community-scale — typically seeking zero- or near-zero carbon solutions — with services ranging from strategic planning and design to financial analysis and project structuring. Sam, who received the Individual Climate Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2014, has a reputation for innovative and thought-provoking ideas to address the climate crisis.
2:50 -3:00 p.m. BREAK
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Talking climate with your elected representatives
Joshua Goodman and Sarah Karush, of the Fairfax County chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby, will walk us through CCL's respectful approach to climate advocacy, which is designed to build productive relationships with elected officials, even those not known for being climate champions. Following a presentation of the elements of effective advocacy meetings, participants will break into teams to practice their skills in a mock meeting with an elected official.
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