Reaching Underserved Sectors Through Targeted Financing Programs

While financing is a valuable tool for increasing the deployment of clean energy within a state, lower to lower-middle income and rural populations have a more difficult time accessing financing compared to other sectors of a state’s economy. Those increased challenges may necessitate the need for targeted financing programs to reach those sectors and unlock the potential for clean energy investments by underserved customers. This session will explore the efforts that state, federal, and private institutions have undertaken or are currently undertaking to increase financing availability to overcome this access issue, and will provide information on best practices from successful initiatives.

I. Introductions and Committee Overview
John Warren, Director, Virginia Division of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (DMME)

II. The Alaska Context for Energy Financing in Rural Communities - Presentation
Cady Lister, Chief Economist, Alaska Energy Authority

III. Success Stories from State and Local Government Financing Programs for Underserved Communities - Presentation
Matthew Brown, Principal, Harcourt Brown & Carey

IV. Increasing the Deployment of Solar in Lower-Income Communities - Presentation
Thomas Neyhart, Chief Executive Officer, PosiGen

V. Q&A, Committee Discussion, and Other Member News and Updates
All Attendees