Powering Partnerships: A Panel Discussion w/ Labor & Environmental Advocates Finding Common Ground on CA Climate Policy

Powering Partnerships: A Panel Discussion with Labor and Environmental Advocates Finding Common Ground on California Climate Policy
Thursday, April 17 | 6:00pm–7:30pm
Location: McCone Building, Irvine Auditorium, 499 Pierce St. Monterey, CA 93940
Free, Open to the Public

Registration requested: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/powering-partnerships-a-panel-discussion-w…

About the Topic:
California is a leader in climate policy. In the midst of this paradigm shift, how is California going to lead the labor transition in the movement towards a clean energy future?

The potential for green jobs in California is enormous, yet the pathway to achieve safe and reliable jobs and livable wages for existing fossil fuel workers remains unclear. While labor advocates and environmentalists agree that expanding renewable energy can mitigate harmful impacts to the climate and foster economic opportunities, the steps to implement a just and inclusive transition are still highly debated in California’s policy environment.

In our polarized political climate, it is more important than ever to create safe spaces for constructive conversations. We must begin having honest discussions about the difficulties encountered by energy workers and the climate challenges we all face.

This panel brings together four experts who will share their experiences working on issues including labor justice, climate change, energy security, and the political environment surrounding the movement towards clean energy in California. By exploring the common interest of putting Americans to work, we can collaborate to create better jobs for workers now and a better, healthier environment for both our communities and future generations. Please join our panelists for this cutting-edge discussion to find common ground on California Climate policy.

About the Panelists:
Adrienne Alvord, California & Western States Director, Union of Concerned Scientists: As the Union of Concerned Scientists’ California and Western states director, Ms. Alvord is working to ensure Californians, and all Americans, transition to a clean energy and fuels economy that reduces global warming, promotes equitable economic growth, and improves public health in western states. Ms. Alvord is leading UCS’s effort to ensure robust implementation of the California Global Warming Solutions Act, the state’s landmark climate law known as AB 32. She also is working to ensure California’s renewable energy and clean vehicle standards are enforced. Prior to joining UCS, Ms. Alvord was the environmental policy director for California State Senator Fran Pavley and served as lead staff on AB 32. She led successful legislative efforts to establish clean energy programs and accompanying funding sources, clean vehicles and fuel technology standards, air and water quality rules, and natural resources protection programs. She worked extensively in climate, energy, fuels, waste, and agricultural policy and has deep experience in translating scientific and technical work into policy ideas, and creating strategic partnerships to achieve those policies. Prior to working in the California legislature, Ms. Alvord served as a gubernatorial appointee directing state pesticide legislation and regulations, and previously was policy director for a California nonprofit promoting sustainable agriculture. Ms. Alvord has a B.A. in history from the University of California, Berkeley.

Hunter Stern, Business Representative, Brotherhood of Electrical Workers: Hunter Stern supports anything that produces new jobs for his union’s members. As the Business Representative for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Stern is responsible for protecting the interests of his constituents, including contract enforcement, grievances, labor-management negotiations and general contract bargaining. Through his twenty years of work with the IBEW, Stern has built extensive knowledge of the state electricity deregulation, energy and water issues which currently face San Francisco. Stern graduated from Brown University in 1984.

Tom Habashi, Chief Executive Officer, Monterey Bay Community Power: Appointed in September 2017, Mr. Habashi is serving as Monterey Bay Community Power’s Chief Executive Officer, a regional Community Choice Energy program which will provide electricity to residents and businesses in 19 jurisdictions throughout Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties. Scheduled to launch in March of 2018, Mr. Habashi oversees and directs Monterey Bay Community Power’s energy acquisition, strategic plan, program implementation, operations, regulatory affairs, communications and outreach. Prior to joining MBCP, Mr. Habashi served as the CEO at Silicon Valley Clean Energy, launching that CCE program into operation in April 2016. Prior to SVCE, Tom spent eleven years in the City of Roseville as a Utility Director for Roseville Electric, overseeing power production and distribution to electricity to the city customers and 14 years with the City of Palo Alto, advancing from Electrical Engineer to Assistant Director in charge of electric, natural gas and water resource management. Mr. Habashi brings a wealth of experience to the growing Community Choice Energy sector with over 30 years serving community-owned utilities in California. His responsibilities have included managing a wide range of energy sector activities such as energy acquisition, rate development, finance, supply distribution and customer programs. Born in Cairo, Egypt, Mr. Habashi graduated from Ain Sham University with a BS in Electrical Engineering and received his MBA at The College of Notre Dame in Belmont, CA.

Sabrina Lockhart, Director of Communications, California Independent Petroleum Association: A lifelong Californian, Sabrina Demayo Lockhart has spent nearly two decades working in the Capitol community. She currently serves as the director of communications for the California Independent Petroleum Association. Sabrina worked in the Capitol for former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as then-Assembly Republican Leader, now House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Connie Conway, who is the longest serving Assembly Republican Leader in the post term limits era. She is also a former television journalist. In her spare time, you’ll find her cheering on her son at a sporting event that her husband is likely coaching. Sabrina is a certified yoga teacher and donates her time teaching yoga to veterans and medical staff at the Sacramento VA hospital.

Directions: Visit our interactive campus map for directions. http://www.myatlascms.com/map/index.php?id=972#!ct/15579

Parking: Parking is available in any Middlebury Institute campus lot after 5 p.m., or on the street (time limits on surrounding streets end at 6 p.m.)

Questions: Contact Rachel Christopherson at the Center for the Blue Economy at cbe@miis.edu or (831) 647-6615 ext. 1.