Energy Transition Webinar Series
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Co-hosts: University of Illinois Extension, Prairie Rivers Network, Just Transition Fund, USDA Rural Development
This webinar series will explore state and federal opportunities related to the energy transition, including clean energy programs, transportation electrification, and other programs and initiatives focused on reinvestment in Illinois’ rural communities and coal communities.
Webinar 1: Rural Clean Energy, July 7th, 12pm CT - USDA Rural Development, Pleiades Strategy, Vote Solar
The first webinar in our Energy Transition Webinar Series will focus on the clean energy opportunities available from USDA Rural Development, including the PACE Program, the New ERA Program, and the REAP Grant. These funding opportunities will bring affordable clean energy to communities, rural electric cooperatives, and rural small businesses and farms, respectively. We’ll share how these funds are “stackable” along with state “renewable energy credits” and federal tax credits, that are newly available as “direct pay” to non-taxable entities.
Webinar 2: Harnessing Federal and State Opportunities, July 21st, 12pm CT - Economic Development Administration, Illinois EPA Office of Energy, Illinois Department of Transportation; Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
The second webinar in our Energy Transition Webinar Series will focus on state and federal investments that will bring Illinois communities a wide variety of opportunities in economic development, clean energy, transportation electrification, and more. We’ll hear from the Economic Development Administration, the State Energy Office, IL Department of Transportation, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Webinar 3: Energy Community Support, July 28th, 12pm CT - USDA Rural Development, National Association of Counties, Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plan Communities, Illinois Department of Labor, Illinois Energy Transition Workforce Commission
The third and final webinar in our Energy Transition Webinar Series will focus on programs, initiatives, and funding available to support transitioning energy communities experiencing economic and social impacts of the power plant and coal mine closures! Representatives from the Energy Communities Interagency Working Group, Just Transition Fund, Illinois Department of Labor, Illinois Energy Transition Workforce Commission, and the National Association of Counties “Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities” Initiative will join the webinar to share information about their technical support and funding opportunities.
Speaker Information:
Recurring Presenters:
Amanda Pankau, Prairie Rivers Network, Sr. Energy Campaign Coordinator
Rachael Young, Just Transition Fund, Director of Grantmaking
Natalie Roper, Just Transition Fund, Director of Special Projects
Webinar 1: Rural Clean Energy, July 7th, 12pm CT
Francis Sawyer and Gentry Higgins, Pleiades Strategy
Callie Heidbreder, USDA Rural Development, Rural Energy Coordinator
Will Kentworthy, Vote Solar, Regulatory Director for US Midwest
Webinar 2: Harnessing Federal and State Opportunities, July 21st, 12pm CT
Emily Rhodes, Economic Development Administration, ED Representative
Chad Kruse, Illinois EPA Office of Energy, Manager
Elizabeth Irvin, Illinois Department of Transportation, Deputy Director of Planning and Programming
Hilary Scot-Ogunrinde, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Webinar 3: Energy Community Support, July 28th, 12pm CT
Betsy Dirksen-Londrigan, USDA Rural Development, State Director
Grace Blanchard, National Association of Counties, Program Manager, Resilient Economies and Communities
Briggs White, Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plan Communities, Deputy Director
Jason Keller, Illinois Department of Labor, Assistant Director (Illinois Energy Transition Workforce Commission)