October 18-19 and October 26, Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) will host its 21st Annual Conference, a two-part, virtual event. “Thought leaders,” advocates, entrepreneurs, elected officials, state agency heads and regulators, will convene virtually for in depth discussions on this year’s theme, REV It Up: Climate Action, Equity and Resilience. Each session features opportunities for networking, interactive discussion, and inspiration for climate action.
On Monday evening, October 18, keynote speaker Dr. Saul Griffith, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at Rewiring America, will share the investment, infrastructure, and production strategies to get us from where we are now to the low-carbon economy we need to mitigate climate change. A growing nonprofit, Rewiring America is working to launch a movement that electrifies everything, starting with America’s 122 million households. Through accurate, accessible, and actionable data and storytelling tools that power smart, inclusive advocacy and market-transforming partnerships, Rewiring America aims to achieve national emissions goals, improve our health, lower monthly bills, and create millions of clean energy jobs. U.S. Congressman Peter Welch will offer remarks and updates on federal energy issues. Vermont Senate Pro Tem Becca Balint will offer a preview of climate action in the upcoming legislative session.
Following the keynote address, REV2021 features two days of exceptional plenary panels. U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy welcomes attendees October 19 to examine the wide variety of innovation, policy, and climate action happening in Vermont and across the Northeast region. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with State energy commissioners and agency leaders including Celina Cunningham, Deputy Director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office; Marissa Paslick Gillett, Chair of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority; Matthew Nelson, Chair of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities; and June Tierney, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Service.
Vermont House Speaker Jill Krowinski welcomes attendees on October 26 to explore questions of equity in the transition from a fossil fuel economy to an economy powered by renewables. Kiah Morris of Rights and Democracy will moderate a panel discussion of ways to build energy equity and how state and federal governments can help. Speakers include Vermont Senator Kesha Ram-Hinsdale; Dr. Tony Reames, Senior Advisor to the Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity; and Jon Copans of the Vermont Council on Rural Development. Attendees will also gain insight on women in leadership from Mary Powell of Sunrun; Jennie Stephens of Northeastern University; Marie-Claude Francoeur, Quebec Delegate to New England; Claudine Bouchard, Hydro Quebec; and Karen Jernigan of Power Guru. Former Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin will offer concluding remarks.
For the most up-to-date conference information, including speakers, sessions, and registration visit www.revconference.org.
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