SXSW Energy Transitions

 Solar Stewards Founder Dana Clare Redden alongside SXSW featured panelists Kali Auckly representing Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy , Veena Prasad from Spark Northwest, and Jennifer Yoshimura of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory  

CEO and Founder Dana Clare Redden was featured in the SXSW panel to discuss the  importance of co-developing clean energy solutions with communities. Researchers, government workers, non-profits, private sector leaders, and investors gathered within the Austin Convention Center to learn more about community based clean energy projects and solutions.

As the energy transition gains more momentum, it is crucial to include the input of community organizations and representatives amidst the creation of new projects and programs. Working closely with community representatives helps to amplify the voice of locals and shapes development projects to optimize potential benefits for the very people the projects are meant to serve. In doing so, trust is established as the goals of communities are met rather than solely their needs. Dana explained the importance of including historically excluded communities within voluntary markets. Through the procurement of Solar Steward’s Social RECs®, revenue is allocated to communities through  Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) which enable communities to direct funding to specific community goals and climate mitigation strategies.