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RESEARCH ARTICLE: Community Clean Energy Programs: Proficiencies and Practices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 April 2013

David Berry
David Berry*
Affiliation:
Western Resource Advocates, Scottsdale, Arizona
*
David Berry, Chief of Policy Analysis, Western Resource Advocates, PO Box 1064, Scottsdale, AZ; 85252-1064; (phone) 480-990-7209; (fax) 480-990-7209; (e-mail) [email protected]
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Abstract

One of the consequences of state utility energy efficiency and renewable energy policies has been the expansion of clean energy programs conducted by local, nonprofit community organizations. These programs seek to increase deployment of renewable energy facilities on consumers' premises and reduce the amount of energy used by consumers. The success of community programs depends on the capabilities of the organizations implementing the programs. Managers of six large community-based clean energy programs in Arizona were interviewed regarding organizational capabilities related to carrying out clean energy programs. The Arizona organizations have developed proficiencies in education, recruitment, problem solving, coordination among parties, and innovation. Clean energy programs of the community organizations interviewed for this study are centered around trust, empowerment of stakeholders, partnerships, and social networks to recruit participants and volunteers and to learn about what other organizations are doing.

Environmental Practice 15:97–107 (2013)

Type
Features
Information
Environmental Practice , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , June 2013 , pp. 97 - 107
Copyright
Copyright © National Association of Environmental Professionals 2013 

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