Land Acknowledgement: https://usdac.us/nativeland

Link to webinar series recordings : https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Climate-Change/GC3/Equity%20and%20Environmental%20Justice%20in%20Climate%20Solutions%20Webinar%20Series

the land acknowledgements in these webinars are very cool. It would be really meaningful if DEEP and other state agencies opened all public meetings by sharing this history, not just for meetings specifically focusing on environmental justice and equity issues.

LMI=Low and moderate income

even more complicated when there is high turnover of the housing

Could someone post link to Yale study of barriers to weatherization?

And these other studies, too?

https://efficiencyforall.org/wordpress/2020/08/15/health-and-safety-barriers-to-weatherization-study/

Thank you Michael

I know it is a significant factor , but can you please address the impact of inability to pay utility bills on people becoming homeless? Are there statistics publicly available someplace?

Operation Fuel has a Homeless Intervention Program. I can share stats in Dr. Mitchell's follow up.

Kathy, some info is here: https://www.aceee.org/sites/default/files/publications/researchreports/u1602.pdf

Loss of utilities is one of the top five causes of homelessness

Thank you Brenda and Gannon

www.efficiencyforall.org

Thank you to all posting links!

also impacts people discharging from prison system. unpaid utility bills follow the person

Thank you for this presentation. Are there working models that pair energy funds with health and/or housing funds in Ct? If not, why not?

that was awesome Leticia

there is this program in Washington state: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/growing-the-economy/energy/weatherization-and-energy-efficiency/matchmaker/weatherization-plus-health-wxh/

Fantastic presentation, Leticia!

@Kathy the DSS commissioner testified about this to the legislature in 2017 or 2018... searching for the Mirror article on that. She said homelessness costs the state about 30k a year per person, 120k a year for a family of 4.

Excellent information, Leticia! Are the slides and links going to be made available after this closes?

Can you explain what knob and tube is and why it is a barrier to EE.

If you have more questions for Leticia please feel free to add them to the chat in preparation for the public Q&A portion

Thank you very much, Leticia. Question: What are some examples of participatory planning in the state?

Thank you for including education. This is the first GC3 webinar where I have seen it even mentioned.

Many thanks, Leticia, for your advocacy! I agree with the use of excess funds to mitigate health and safety barriers. Can you elaborate on gas leaks inside homes as a barrier, as well as the impact on health?

Is there a role for nonprofits in supporting EE in LMI communities?

Airsealing without introducing balanced mechanical ventilation (energy recovery ventilation) can reduce indoor air quality which disproportionately affects LMI communities. How can we influence the HES programs to include as a matter of course balanced ventilation with high levels of air filtration?

Thank you for a great presentation. The detailed information and links make it particularly informative.

I am increasingly noticing the need to redesign urban neighborhoods to address aging infrastructure, and dated housing conventions that do not necessarily function for a full life community (allowing connected communities to stay together through a variety of spatial needs). However so many housing projects are driven by developers and planners who are not exploring the need for high-density urban clusters, with updated infrastructure that also offer access to healthy/clean natural resources (including recreational parks as well as vibrant wildlife habitat). Urban neighborhood redevelopment projects are very delicate, yet I am curious about your views on the quality and characteristics of recent Hartford Housing Authority projects at Westbrook Village and Bowles Park? Were these meaningful examples of participatory planning? Park Watershed (an environmental advocate) was not included, yet were others such as yourself involved in the planning process?

Such an important point - thank you for highlighting this!

Currently, the state is engaged in its next iteration of the State Health Improvement Plan. The Coalition is comprised of a diverse body of stakeholders. https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/State-Health-Planning/State-Health-Assessment--Plan-2012/State-Health-Improvement-Planning-Coalition

what guidance can you provide to towns as they seek to gather information that gives everyone a voice in planning?

Is there any states where energy efficiencies programs are run in ways that are more equitable? Any models to be replicated?

Regarding gas leaks, Columbia Gas in Mass just agreed to a $56M settlement with the Utilities Regulator based on the Lawrence gas explosions from a few years ago. Terrifying.

Eversource is taking over gas service in that area of the state.

the new law that just passed means that mayors/ first select people have to lead a "community environmental benefits" agreement regarding siting of environmental hazards - a great model for community benefits agreements that we should be broadly engaging with before developers break ground. Especially when state $ is tied up in the developments.

Engaging with towns, especially government, requires some assessment of whether the town actually wants to involve more participation - or if their actions in fact suggest they're more interested in shutting that down.

Thanks. Good feedback. I do chair the Bloomfield clean energy task force. Great presentation!

Leticia thanks so much for this presentation, we learn so much from listening to you.

Thank you!

Thanks, Leticia - great presentation!

Excellent presentation! Thanks Leticia.

Please join us for the Equity and Environmental Justice FOrum next week!

Excellent presentation, thanks Leticia!

that was excellent. thank you.

Wonderful. Thank you!

Thanks for the presentation and all the good work!

Great presentation, thank you!

Thank you!!!

Excellent presentation Leticia! Where can we access this information in Spanish and Creole?

It seems the need for a clear definition of weatherization is fundamental to being able to determine whether we make any progress toward equity. That definition can be based in fact by measuring EE metrics not just contractor visits.

Thank you Leticia!

https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Climate-Change/GC3/Public-Forums

Great talk Leticia!!!

What a great presentation! Thank you very much.

Planning for the future, in which the climate is changing - and the nature that surrounds us will be increasingly stressed, yet needed to provide ecosystem service benefits. Thank you for your excellent research and clear voice!

Thank you so much for sharing your time and knowledge today, Leticia and Brenda!

Thanks Leticia and Brenda!