The Local Clean Energy Alliance’s second annual Clean Power, Healthy Communities conference drew over 150 people on March 18 to launch three exciting campaigns: Claim Our Cash, Solutions in Our Backyard, and Community Choice Energy. The conference began March 17th with a Happy Hour debate on “Who Controls the Energy Pot of Gold” (see photo below) and ended with a rally at Oakland City Hall that called on city officials to say "Yes to Clean Energy, No to Nuclear Power" in light of the meltdowns in Japan.
Attended by a diverse cross-section of climate activists, clean energy businesses, trade unionists, environmental justice advocates, and public officials, the conference provided compelling evidence that our only escape from our fossil fuel-dependent, climate-destroying energy system is to reduce overall energy consumption and transition to renewable energy generated locally in our communities. The Clean Power, Healthy Community conference emphasized local clean energy as an economically, socially just alternative to the perils of fossil fuel and nuclear energy production. A decentralized energy system not only addresses the impact of climate change, but provides clean energy jobs, equitable development, and healthy communities.