How Community Actions and Resources

Will Shape our Energy Future

Michael Li U.S. Department of Energy

Everyone has a story to tell,

everyone has a part to play.

- Champions of Change

whitehouse.gov/champions

www.seeaction.energy.gov

Mt. Pleasant, Washington, D.C.

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www.seeaction.energy.gov

1 in 10

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www.seeaction.energy.gov

“Americans are more likely to buy solar if their

friends or neighbors have solar, since it's much

easier to learn the process from someone who

has already been through the ropes.”

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-Brian Keane, SmartPower President

www.seeaction.energy.gov

• Identification of a clear problem and opportunity.

• Dedication to a solution.

• Engagement with neighbors.

• Development of a list serve

…Creation of the Mount Pleasant Solar Cooperative

Keys to Success

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www.seeaction.energy.gov

Led to the creation of…

–The D.C. Solar United Neighborhoods

–Community Renewables Energy Act

–Community Power Network

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States Are the Laboratories of Innovation

Energy collaborations

www.seeaction.energy.gov

• High performance outdoor lighting

• Energy data

Better Buildings Accelerators

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Creative Commons: Mark Anderson

“Most people overestimate what they can do in

one year and underestimate what they can do in

10 years.”

We tend to overestimate what we can accomplish

in a year. Of course, we also tend to

underestimate what we can accomplish in a

decade. - Mark Batterson, “Think Long”

- Bill Gates

www.seeaction.energy.gov

• Narrative

• Relationship

• Structure

• Strategy

• Action

Community Organizing

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www.seeaction.energy.gov

“Community-based social marketing emphasizes

direct contact among community members and the

removal of structural barriers”

http://www.toolsofchange.com/en/programs/community-based-social-marketing/

Community Based Social Marketing

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- Doug McKenzie-Mohr

CBSM Small Towns

• 80% of the US lives in 350 metro areas, within which half live in jurisdictions of 25,000 or less.

• The average jurisdiction in the US is only 6,200.

• In Maryland: – Only 17 cities with populations >15,000

– 131 towns and villages, average population 2,174

*Slides courtesy of Chuck Wilson, Institute for Market Transformation

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www.seeaction.energy.gov

• The Energy Coach

• Trusted small town

channels for program

outreach

Small Town Energy Program

University Park, MD

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Small Town CBSM

STEP CBSM Sequence…

1. Mayor’s announcement

2. Town list serve, newsletter

3. Councils, wards, HOAs

4. Door-to-door

5. COMMUNITY LAUNCH EVENT

6. Regularly repeat #2 and #3

7. “house parties”

8. clubs, churches, school, PTA

…and the killer green sign

18 *Slides courtesy of Chuck Wilson, Institute for Market Transformation

Measurable Impacts

• 32% of owner-occupied homes in town signed up for STEP (275)

• 25% of owner-occupied homes in town had a HPwES audit (215)

• 18% of homes in town completed a whole-house retrofit, avg 15% savings

• 65% audit-to retrofit conversion rate

• 2%-10% program penetration in 3 other pilot communities (only 1 year)

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*Slides courtesy of Chuck Wilson, Institute for Market Transformation

www.seeaction.energy.gov

• One Change is a small commercial program that

will offer two TrickleStar power strips directly to

targeted small business customers

• Utilizes a CBSM approach: relies on

personally delivering and installing sponsored items

https://www2.illinois.gov/ipa/Documents/Appendix%20C-4%20-%20IPA%20Program%20Detail.pdf

One Change - ComEd

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www.seeaction.energy.gov

About SEE Action

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• Network of 200+ leaders and professionals, led

by state and local policymakers, bringing energy

efficiency to scale

• Support on energy efficiency policy and

program decision making for:

• Utility regulators, utilities and consumer advocates

• Legislators, governors, mayors, county officials

• Air and energy office directors, and others

• Facilitated by DOE and EPA; successor to the

National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency The SEE Action Network is active in the largest areas of challenge and

opportunity to advance energy efficiency