RDI Launches the West Coast Clean Economy Collaborative Program

RDI is excited to announce the launch of the West Coast Clean Economy Collaborative program. The Collaborative will focus on three areas offering particularly robust opportunities to advance the following clean economy opportunities in the west coast states of Washington, Oregon, and California:

• Clean Energy Development that will focus on policies related to energy efficiency financing tools, renewable energy generation, distributed energy and smart grid development, and clean energy and transportation manufacturing and supply chain development for those communities desiring to explore it
   
• Rural Assets and Opportunities which includes educating about policies and practices that accelerate responsible clean energy development in rural regions; sustainable forest and agriculture practices; and developing pricing and markets for ecosystems services
   
• 21st Century Workforce with the skill sets and core competencies to work with new generation technologies, sustainability practices, and systems thinking

The Collaborative is a joint project of Rural Development Initiatives and the Center for State Innovation (CSI). CSI has worked in 35 states to advance clean energy policy but has not worked on the west coast until now. RDI and CSI hope to connect and strengthen one another’s networks while expanding opportunities in rural areas.

Many rural communities are increasingly realizing they have much to offer, and gain, in developing clean economy opportunities. Since clean energy resources such as renewable energy and sustainable forest and agricultural products are produced largely in rural areas, some rural communities are poised to provide valuable leadership. Lake County, Oregon is one example, “Lake County is emerging as an example of what is possible all across America. Lake County is developing its natural resources of geothermal, wind, solar, hydro, and bio-mass for the community's sustainable future, thereby creating not only energy independence, but tremendous economic development opportunities. The county is billing itself as a “New Energy Frontier,” recruiting clean energy companies and entrepreneurs.

The Collaborative will not develop independent policy agendas or legislative concepts but will, instead, coordinate and communicate credible policy opportunities being developed by leaders in the clean economy field. The Collaborative will also draw from best clean economy practices from states across the nation. In essence the WCCEC will function like a “Switzerland” – creating a safe, non-competitive space to convene leaders with diverse perspectives to develop collaborative, effective, policy innovations.

The special value added of the Collaborative is its combination of a strong track record working with states’ offices, skill in facilitating collaborative process, deep understanding of rural needs and resources and broad expertise in clean economy issues and policies.

How Did RDI Get Involved?
The RDI board has been interested in rural policy for the last four years and has created a Policy Committee to explore how RDI might utilize policy to strengthen rural areas. We have a Rural Policy Platform created by the committee and approved by the board. RDI has been engaged in the Kellogg funded Rural People Rural Policy nationwide peer learning network the past four years.

Our board has also directed the organization to expand our work in economic vitality helping rural communities create jobs and wealth for a healthier economy. This has lead to several new initiatives such as Steps to Success (starting a business at home), Economic Vitality Forums, and this Clean Economy Collaborative Program.

Several board members are engaged in energy systems production, and RDI has been exploring ways in which we can help communities create energy savings and green energy options such as biomass, wind, solar, and geothermal.

RDI has also been teaching our leadership networks about the three Es of sustainability, creating a balance between the Economy, the Environment, and Equity (social impacts) within our Ford Institute Leadership curriculum.

To head the program, RDI has hired Cylvia Hayes. RDI met Cylvia about four years ago when we worked with her to present on green jobs at the R2R conference in Skamania. We have been discussing opportunities to work together since then and with the help of board members and the Management and Operations Team, we have combined these interests and opportunities into this new initiative WCCEC. Cylvia is the founder and CEO of 3EStrategies, a clean economy consulting firm. Clients have included government entities, real estate developers, renewable energy companies, airports, engineering firms. She has 22 years of professional experience in sustainable energy, economic development, workforce development, green building, waste prevention and sustainable forestry and agriculture. Cylvia served as member and co-chair of the Oregon Renewable Energy Working Group which developed the state Renewable Energy Standard, Renewable Fuels Standard and other clean energy policies. She has considerable training and expertise in collaborative leadership skills and is a fellow of the American Leadership Forum. Cylvia’s deep commitment to rural communities falls right in line with RDI’s mission and philosophy. We are delighted to welcome her to the RDI team.

Learn More
For more information, visit RDI's web site [learn more], read the article, Hayes to Lead West Coast Clean Economy Initiative, in Sustainable Business Oregon, or contact Cylvia, email: chayes@rdiinc.org or phone: 541.280.5040. You can also learn more about this exciting new program at the upcoming Regards to Rural conference.