Tools for Local Energy Action Under Federal Rollbacks

  • Jun 5, 2026
  • Katie Kienbaum
    •
  • Presentations & Events
  • Energy Democracy
  • Distributed Energy
  • Utilities
  • Climate and Environmental Justice
  • Economic Justice
  • Resilient Cities and Metros
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    ILSR brought together local policymakers and advocates from around the country for Tools for Local Energy Action Under Federal Rollbacks, a virtual event highlighting the tools and strategies that really work to build affordable clean energy and hold utilities accountable at the local level — even as the federal government withdraws.

    If you’re involved in climate, clean energy, or energy affordability advocacy in your city – whether as part of a local government, nonprofit organization, small business, labor union, or residents’ association – this on-demand webinar is for you.

    The webinar includes a presentation of ILSR’s Local Energy Policy Tookit and research on the benefits of local ownership of clean energy, followed by a discussion among local government and nonprofit leaders about their experiences building clean energy programs in New Orleans, Minneapolis, and San Diego. A moderated audience Q&A follows the discussion.

    View and download the presentation slides here.

    Read the transcript here.

    Resources mentioned during the event:

    You can hear more about the projects panelists Josh Cox and Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera mentioned on their respective episodes of ILSR’s Local Energy Rules podcast:

    Panelists

    Joshua Cox

    Joshua Cox (he/him) serves as CEO of Community Power South, a nonprofit solar developer leveraging federal and state incentives to help churches, schools, and community institutions establish resilience hubs through solar and battery installations that reduce carbon emissions and deliver power after hurricanes. He formerly led Resilience Works, a national labor brokerage committed to building the workforce needed to address climate change, and served as Director of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Orleans Parish School Board and Senior Advisor and Director of Strategic Initiatives to Mayor LaToya Cantrell. His undergraduate degree is from Yale University, where he was a four-year varsity baseball letterman and received the William Neely Mallory Award. He also holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the Fels Institute of Government.

    Katie Cashman

    Katie Cashman (she/her) is a Minneapolis-based climate and public affairs professional. With a background in geography and urban management, Katie has focused her career on advancing sustainable urban infrastructure. She worked for the United Nations Urban Settlements Program and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. Most recently, Katie was elected to serve her community as a Minneapolis City Council Member. She chaired the City’s Climate and Infrastructure Committee and served on the Clean Energy Partnership. Katie led franchise agreement negotiations with local electricity and gas utilities and succeeded in establishing nation-leading climate targets and equity expectations. Katie also authored and passed legislation that raised franchise fees for large energy consumers in the city, dedicating this additional $4m in annual revenue to home weatherization and retrofitting efforts. In her free time, Katie enjoys live music, outdoor adventures, and the local cuisine.

    Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera

    Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera (he/him) proudly represents San Diego’s 9th City Council District and is committed to his vision of “Opportunity for All.” Before joining the Council, Sean served on the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees. He previously spent time leading community organizing, policy, and civic engagement efforts at a local nonprofit. Sean came to San Diego to attend California Western School of Law where he earned honors for his Pro Bono service while earning his Juris Doctor. Sean continues to be shaped by his early career as a high school athletics coach. Family is very important to Sean who grew up in a large family of seven with his parents, a brother and three sisters. In August of 2023, Sean and his wife, Angela, welcomed their son to their family.

    Moderator

    Katie Kienbaum

    Katie Kienbaum (she/her) is a Senior Researcher with ILSR’s Energy Democracy initiative, where she researches and writes about equitable and decentralized clean energy and its impact on communities across the country. Before joining the Energy Democracy initiative, she was a Research Associate with the Community Broadband Networks initiative.

     

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