Forum on sustainable energy solutions, jobs and public participation

Local government officials, energy industry leaders and clean energy advocates discussed ways to achieve greater adoption of sustainable energy technologies in the San Diego region during a day-long forum led by the Climate Action Campaign (CAC) and hosted by the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) on Thursday, July 30.

Clean energy is a vibrant part of San Diego’s economy, creating jobs and driving investments, however, many technologies and energy-saving measures remain untapped and underutilized, according to CSE Executive Director Len Hering, RADM, USN (ret).

“While significant strides have been made in adopting solar power, electric vehicles and home energy efficiency, there isn’t sufficient widespread use of clean energy technologies to achieve local and state government goals for long-term energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions,” Hering said. “CSE is dedicated to creating and fostering partnerships with all stakeholders to advance strategies to secure a clean energy future.”

According to CAC Executive Director Nicole Capretz, the best way for San Diego to achieve 100% clean energy is to move forward as a region with a shared vision. “Bringing elected officials together from Imperial Beach to Oceanside with other community leaders is a great opportunity to develop a roadmap for a clean energy future," Capretz said.

The clean energy forum featured keynote speaker State Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) and a panel of city officials including Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas, Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner, Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina, Encinitas Deputy Mayor Catherine Blakespear and Oceanside Deputy Mayor Chuck Lowery.

Hueso is chairman of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee. Earlier this year, he introduced Senate Bill 189 to form a committee of clean energy experts to advise the legislature and governor on environmental policies with energy and climate change impacts to assure alignment with goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while assuring continued economic growth.

During the forum, representatives from City of San Diego, AES Corporation, Renovate America, Environmental Health Coalition, Stellar Solar and STEM Inc. discussed clean energy policies and technologies that are critical to achieving a clean energy future as well as the economic benefits of sustainable energy. The forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Noble Energy Solutions, Renovate America and others. An agenda is available online.