​LHENA Talks Speaker Series

LHENA Talks is a monthly speaker series that takes place on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 7 to 8 p.m. Each talk features a guest speaker and focuses on community issues of interest and is sponsored by a local business. LHENA Talks strives to bring together residents, businesses, and community members alike to foster a space for fruitful discussions while highlighting the amazing work being done in our communities. Interested in being a speaker or sponsor? Take a moment to fill out this form. ​​

LHENA Talks No. 8: Green Energy Solutions

This talk was about green energy solutions. Each speaker talked about their work in the green energy field from a consumer, policy and energy supplier standpoint followed by discussion on where are things headed in energy, sustainability, climate and the environment. The speakers also touched on practical steps  people in the Wedge and other local communities take to support clean energy and help advance a clean energy economy. 

Speakers: Julia Eagles, Virginia Rutter and Carmen Carruthers

The speakers for this LHENA Talk are Julia Eagles, Virginia Rutter and Carmen Carruthers. Julia is with the Institute for Market Transformation and formerly with Xcel Energy and will talk about her energy, sustainability, and climate work across the public, private, and nonprofit sector. Virginia is with Clean Energy Economy Minnesota and formerly with Solar United Neighbors. She will cover CEEM's main two reports, the Minnesota State Energy Factsheet and the Clean Jobs Midwest report. Carmen is from the Citizens Utility Board and will discuss how neighbors can get help with energy bills and advocate for themselves at the state level. 

More About This LHENA Talk

Other talking points for this talk will included:

• How can people make a difference in their daily lives to provide clean, affordable energy and consumer protections? What are some examples of good environmental decisions and positive actions consumers can take?
• What are the biggest challenges for the environment and green energy solutions today?
• What encouraging signs have you seen with green energy in the community?
• How do partnerships help increase green energy? How do these relationships create a sense of community in protecting our environment? 
• How do we strengthen our relationships with members of our community to create and support a green energy economy?
• How do we develop and deploy local, state, and national level strategies to achieve broad-scale transformation? How can community members support green energy policies at the local level, state and national levels?
• What energy solutions are the most efficient and can provide greater community resiliency?
• How can people in the community lower their monthly utility bills?
• How important is education for green energy today? What are some success stories?
• What are the most effective ways to reach people, including youth, to educate them about environmental issues? How do we create environmental leaders in the community and give them the necessary skills to take positive action?
• What are the biggest challenges of working with and educating people today about green energy solutions? 
• How do we reach people who don't believe in climate change or green energy solutions? 
• How can communities work together to help build strong foundations now and for generations to come with regard to the environment and green energy?
• How do we break the cycles of environmental trauma? How can individuals take action to be part of environmental solutions?
• Building trust and staying power. What lessons have our speakers learned from their work? How have they helped build consensus around environmental/green issues at the local and community level?
• How has the community changed its relationship to green energy? What are the most immediate changes we need to make the community greener? How can environmental issues promote optimism and spur people to take action and create change?
• Finding practical solutions to the challenges communities face. How do we scale a community-focused approach for positive environmental actions and green energy solutions and reach more people? What are some steps people could take in their daily lives and lifestyle to push for green energy solutions and start seeing positive environmental changes in their lives?
• Why is it important for all of us to unite and focus on investing in green energy solutions for our communities and support green energy solutions?
• How can people get involved with green energy work and solutions?
• The future of the environment and green energy. What are the fundamental building blocks for systemic change and societal growth? How can we advance environmental change that benefits everyone in the community? What steps can we take now to spur green energy growth and development? Where do we go from here?