SJVCEO's December Learning Bundle
As we are nearly in our final day of the year, it is always great to reflect back on your annual highlights and achievements. For this month’s learning bundle, we are highlighting our own successes and showcasing some of the exciting ventures we had this year- enjoy!
Samantha’s 2022 Highlight:
In the summer of 2022, we launched the CA Green Business Network in Kings and Tulare Counties. This project has been the start of SJVCEO working with and getting to know commercial customers in our area. We have had the pleasure of speaking with many local businesses in Hanford and Visalia letting them know how we can help save in operational costs as well as working hand in hand with businesses along their sustainability journey. In the past SJVCEO assisted utilities with outreach for programs but now we can work independently with businesses owners to address all their conservation needs. We are excited to see businesses in both counties greening their operations and gaining exposure for doing so. We look forward to enrolling and certifying more businesses as we gain traction in both counties in 2023!
Rochelle’s Highlight:
It is not so simple to look back on 2022 and pick only 1 or 2 accomplishments to highlight. In fact. 2022 has been such a whirlwind, I am sure there are things that I have overlooked. However, if I must choose, I am most proud of the fact that in a post-covid world we have managed to thrive as an organization and deliver more energy projects in one year than we have in nearly a decade. As of the end of 2022 we have nearly 50 heat pump water heaters committed to be installed between December and January of 2023!
The final thing I will mention is our participation in the California Climate & Energy Collaborative (CCEC) annual forum where I had the pleasure of appearing on 2 panels. I was a panelist on what became a wildly active and passionate conversation about the decarbonization of California. This panel was titled Building Electrification: Dystopian Novel or an Opportunity for Equitable Action? Then, I had the opportunity to host a panel that recognizes barriers to energy efficiency in rural spaces and also celebrates the accomplishments of the people working in those spaces despite those barriers. I had the pleasure of working with 3 of our wonderful local government partners and Willdan to paint this picture. This panel was called Accelerating Clean Energy in Rural and Disadvantaged Communities. I am thankful each day I am able to continue doing the work that I do and for the ability to continue doing that work with amazing people.
Happy 50th to the Fund-It Fast Chat!
The Fund-it Fast Chat was something we began in 2018. The vision of what we wanted it to be was always known but the path to get there was not always so clear. Four years later, in 2022, we hosted our 50th episode. The Fund-it Fast Chat enjoys a loyal viewership and listenership as well as welcomes folks who like to drop in depending on the topic being covered for that particular month. Be sure to check them out HERE!
Kelsey’s Highlight:
What a year it has been! The SJVCEO has had another landmark year from projects to grant programs to conferences (yes, in-person). While we did continue operating business as usual, we had some new ventures populate as well! Some of those programs have been mentioned by the ladies’ entries above, but I wanted to highlight one. Back in September, the SJVCEO was contacted by PG&E, Farallon Strategies, and InterEthnica to be a part of a grant program/working group in October and November. This program was PG&E’s Resilient Together Advisory Group (RTAG) which was an initiative by PG&E to convene community-based organizations (specifically in the San Joaquin Valley) to learn about how our communities are impacted by extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires. The SJVCEO along with a handful of other local CBOs, were here to help with PG&E with their Climate Vulnerability Assessment and explore how climate change, and the resulting increase in extreme weather, impact energy infrastructure and communities. Not only did we educate our communities about this upcoming venture from PG&E and gather feedback from them, but we connected with new partners in our region whose missions are to serve rural and disadvantaged communities in the Valley by offering a variety of resources. All in all, this gave us the opportunity to learn from our peers and increase our connection to the region that we all serve, the San Joaquin Valley.
Courtney’s highlight:
My highlight for 2022 is no different than it is in any year: I am humbled by the women I have the honor and privilege to work with. Energy remains a male-dominated field with less than 30% of our workforce being represented by women year after year. Yet in our operations we are women run. In my roles on various workgroups and boards I see the balance shifting. And when it comes to the state’s Regional Energy Networks, well, they’re by and large led by women.
I recently shared these words with a colleague, “Our work isn’t easy and I think, as women, we face a disproportionate burden to preform, to behave, to comply. To be able to collaborate with someone who can navigate those expectations, while simultaneously advancing her own goals is heartening.”
I see this through our collaborative work with the women who make energy efficiency in California run.
From the advocate who acts as a guiding star while taking meetings between chemotherapy.
To the program lead who runs calls from carpool.
To the young, but curious account manager who chose to stick with a faltering program because she wanted to learn how you come out of failure.
To the attorney who made a call while driving home without a windshield after being in a car accident.
In every day women are fulfilling their commitments, exceeding their responsibilities, and advancing their roles to make our industry—and our world—better.
And in my own house I watch Samantha, Rochelle and Kelsey grow and succeed every day. I see them settle into their own confidence in their choices, in their instincts, in who they want to be. All three have identified their roles as professionals and are navigating their roles as partners, as mothers, as daughters, as sisters, as friends. And in all things they are extraordinary. Even when they fail. Because what’s amazing to watch is that they all learn and grow from their experience. There is nothing stagnant about these women and how they approach the world and our work.
So my highlight is simple, it is having the privilege to bear witness to the incredible nature of women. To benefit from the comradery of women in energy and the energy they share with me.
We wish you all the happiest of new years and will see you in 2023!