Clean Energy Sessions to Offer Ways Forward Amid Federal Cuts

Lead by example — that's the goal of the first part of Radically Rural's Clean Energy track this year; and the example is in Peterborough, just 30 minutes away from Keene, where the Radically Rural summit is being held this year. "There's a lot that Peterborough is doing in the way of clean energy," said track leader Rob Werner, state director for the League of Conservation Voters. Participants can expect to kick off this year's track with a visit to Peterborough, which Werner said has taken on several great clean energy initiatives in recent years, including installing small hydropower units, solar panels and more. Residents of the town also voted by overwhelming majority in 2021 to pass a measure that would commit Peterborough to 100 percent reliance on renewable energy by 2030, according to the town's website. And, in 2023, the town received a U.S. Department of Energy grant to replace fossil fuel heating systems in multiple buildings around the town with the more energy-efficient cold-climate heat pumps. Because of Peterborough's numerous steps to implement clean energy initiatives, Werner said it was a natural choice to spend the first day of the Clean Energy track sessions in the town. He said he hopes participants will be inspired and leave with actionable steps they can take in their own communities. "We wanted to provide a hands-on, inspirational learning experience," Werner said. The Radically Rural summit is set to take place Oct. 7 through 9 in Keene. The Clean Energy track, one of eight at the summit, also aims to shine a light on some of the steps that small, rural communities can take when it comes to clean energy initiatives, especially in the current political climate, which has seen many initiatives canceled on the federal level. "We want to make sure that people understand that, even in this situation we find ourselves, there are still opportunities" for clean energy projects in local communities, Werner said. Sessions The Clean Energy track will start Tuesday, Oct. 7, with the visit to Peterborough, where participants will see firsthand various clean energy initiatives the town has taken. Though details are still being ironed out with regard to times and speakers, Werner said he's thinking of the entire first day as one large session. The tour around Peterborough will be followed by a panel on clean energy initiatives, on community and federal levels. The panel discussion will be a chance to educate participants on federal clean energy projects — where they stand and what the deadlines are for application to some of these initiatives, Werner said. The panel will also highlight the importance of C-PACER (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency), which is a financing mechanism for clean energy projects in commercial properties. Those projects can include things like infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations, water conservation projects and more. "It allows people to finance projects in a way where the municipality doesn't have to take a financial risk or provide the administrative aspect," Werner said, adding that it's a good opportunity for local communities, which may not otherwise have the money, to get access to those funds. "[C-PACER] would make it a lot easier for these kinds of upgrades or new construction to be more energy efficient." He adds that the goal of this panel is to stress the idea that no matter the size of your community, there are local initiatives that "can be valued and supported and can make a difference." While the panel speakers are still being decided, Werner said his group is partnering with Clean Energy New Hampshire on this track. Sam Evans-Brown, executive director of Clean Energy New Hampshire, is one of the confirmed panel speakers. He also expects to have a C-PACER expert on the panel to discuss the program and answer any questions. This track comes at an apt time, Werner said, explaining that many communities, both large and small, have expressed concern since many federal clean energy initiatives that once existed have been lost. Just this month, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency moved to cancel $7 billion in grants under the "Solar for All" program, which has provided funding for solar energy, especially in low- and moderate-income households, according to the New York Times. That follows on the heels of the EPA seeking in March to cancel $20 billion in climate grants authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act. "Now that's all been turned upside down… Part of what we're trying to do is make sure that people understand that even in this environment, there are still opportunities and ways to make a difference," Werner said. Following Tuesday's visit to Peterborough, the track will join others on Wednesday and Thursday for joint sessions that cover topics like federal legislation, community design, natural disasters and more. For more information or to register for the Radically Rural summit, visit radicallyrural.org.