City Climate Law Clinic – An Online Series with ICLEI and Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law

Bring your climate and energy legal questions to the upcoming City Climate Law Clinic!

Across five 1-hour, open-conversation clinics, experts from Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law will help local governments navigate the operational challenges they face during sessions covering natural gas bans, building standards, federal preemption, carbon taxes and more. Bring your questions to these dedicated lawyers who understand the implications of what might seem like subtle differences in statutory or regulatory language in safe, unrecorded calls.

The five sessions will be held monthly on the third Tuesday beginning April 20, 2021 at 1 p.m. Eastern. ICLEI is offering Climate Smart Communities the chance to sign up for a single session in the series for free. (ICLEI members may attend all sessions.)

Register here – remember to select only one date if your municipality is not an ICLEI member.

Clinic 1: Municipal natural gas bans and all-electric construction requirements
April 20 at 1 p.m. Eastern

Clinic 2: Building performance standards
May 18 at 1 p.m. Eastern

Clinic 3: Federal preemption of state and local vehicle standards
June 15 at 1 p.m. Eastern

Clinic 4: Carbon taxes, fees or other charges
July 20 at 1 p.m. Eastern

Clinic 5: City engagement in Public Utilities Commissions proceedings
September 21 at 1 p.m. Eastern

Note: These sessions will not be recorded or shared and cameras will not be used. The intent is to be a safe space for inquiry with the experts. The Sabin Center does not represent the communities joining the call and is providing this advice as service.

Contact Tom Herrod and Kale Roberts at iclei-usa@iclei.org for more information.

In addition to the keynote, we will offer an interactive session on the future of green banks in every state.

Green Banks Have Mobilized Over $5 Billion in Clean Energy Investments. What Has Been the Efficiency Impact and What Is the Outlook?
Congress is considering legislation to fund a $100B national green bank that will support and fund green banks in every U.S. state. This panel will bring together experts from the Coalition for Green Capital, Michigan Saves, Connecticut Green Bank, and Montgomery County Green Bank to discuss their program’s progress and provide insights for using the green bank model to further scale energy efficiency.

“ACEEE Energy Efficiency Finance Forum is one of my favorite conferences! This is one of those conferences that has great content that’s specifically geared to those interested in energy financing, and there are so many wonderful opportunities to learn and network with others interested in this topic,” says Mary Templeton of Michigan Saves. “Looking forward to participating again this year!”

Register now, at the low virtual rate, to gain access to many such sessions that will explore cutting-edge initiatives and opportunities to finance projects that save energy, reduce costs and emissions, and create jobs. Collaborate with professionals and leaders in finance, government, utilities, and energy service companies. Discover ways to overcome barriers, scale the industry, and deliver deep energy savings. As a virtual participant, you will have the added advantage of attending from the safety of your home and avoiding travel-related emissions.

Early bird rate: $350

Pre-Conference Workshop Opportunity  – Tuesday, May 25 | 11:00 am  – 1:00 pm ET

Energy Efficiency Financing 101(sponsored by NEIF) – Free with registration. ($25 Fee for non-EEFF registrants)
Workshop participants will receive an introduction to the world of energy efficiency finance and gain an understanding about financing programs, popular financing models, the state of the market, and program performance. Learn about financing in three major market sectors — residential, commercial, and government facilities — with a discussion about the applicability of different finance mechanisms. Matthew Brown of the National Energy Improvement Fund will present the workshop.

Likely participants:
Clean-tech and energy efficiency investors; financiers; real estate professionals; community development finance institutions and other mission-driven lenders; utility staff; local, state, and federal officials; policymakers; NGOs; energy service company personnel; energy efficiency program planners, operators, and evaluators; and marketing experts. Click here for a list of the organizations that participated in the 2018 conference.

Visit the EEFF21 web page for updates and contact the ACEEE conference team with questions. If you are interested in sponsoring EEFF21, reach out to Nick Henner or Charlie Herron.

ACEEE Ally members may receive registration waivers for their staff to attend. If your organization is not an Ally member but would like to learn more about the program and its benefits, click here.