September 2, 2022 

Hello Janine,

We are pleased to announce that the Leaders in Energy (LE) 9th Annual Green Jobs Forum is coming up on Thursday, September 22, 2022, from 3:30 – 7:00 pm EDT. This event will be held virtually, so people will be able to join from anywhere in the world. Our theme this year is "Find Your Path Into

a Green Job." 

The challenges we face now to transition to a more sustainable society can provide numerous new opportunities for people of all ages, skills, and interests to work in green jobs and businesses. The Green Jobs Forum will look at these opportunities from many angles. Learn more about it below.

We also want to bring your attention to other special events coming up, and opportunities for networking and connecting, locally and globally.  

In this issue, we will discuss:

• Leaders in Energy's virtual 9th Annual Green Jobs Forum on September 22nd

• In-person Happy Hour with the National Capital Area Chapter of the United States Association for Energy Economics on September 30th in Metro DC

• Upcoming virtual event - "Zero Waste: Building a Better Community" with EcoAction Arlington on October 11th

• Legislative victories! Some of the environmental highlights of the Inflation Reduction Act

• Remembering Sean O'Neill, ocean energy advocate and LE mentor

• Join the Leaders in Energy Ambassador Program - Get connected to other sustainability-minded individuals all over the world

• New on the blog - The often overlooked issue of overfishing and why it matters; and how architecture can be optimized for efficient energy use

• Plus green job openings

On September 22nd from 3:30-7:00 PM EDT, Leaders in Energy is holding its 9th Annual Green Jobs Forum virtually - "Find Your Path to a Green Job."

The event will include three key topics. The first is Green Job Opportunities. We will hear about hiring underway at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as it adds a large number of staff with wide-ranging skills to its Clean Energy Corps. Opportunities can also be found as start-ups and businesses grow in the green sector (e.g., the circular economy, carbon reduction, alternative transportation and more). This can help people create their own jobs and jobs for others. We'll hear from representatives with the US DOE, and Bethesda Green's Innovation Lab whose programs support entrepreneurs, along with other speakers.  

The second topic will be centered around Educational Pathways to a Green Job.  It will focus on traditional educational pathways, as well as non-traditional ways such as certificates, apprenticeships and transferable skills. Alternative educational options are becoming more prevalent along with a greater diversity of degree programs.  Institutions are creating short-form certificate programs to equip current and aspiring members of the workforce with critical skills and knowledge to bring sustainability practices to an organization. We'll hear about opportunities like these from a number of groups, including the International Society of Sustainability Professionals. 

The third topic will focus on Being Inspired by and Learning from Others who have Landed or Created Green Jobs. We will hear from a diverse group of green professionals who landed or created their own jobs in the public and private sectors. They will share about their experiences in order to help others along this path. If your aspiration is to move into the green jobs world, this panel will be both encouraging and informative.  

The Forum will conclude with Creating Networking Connections - a half-hour session for attendees to meet one another and to share about the event.

Register below and find your pathway to a green job!

This year, we've created three different payment tiers, to make admission

work for your budget. Choose the payment that's right for you! 

If you live in the Washington DC Metro area, join us for a Happy Hour with LE and the National Capital Area Chapter of the United States Association for Energy Economics (NCAC-USAEE).

The event is free to attend with appetizers provided by NCAC. It will take place at the Continental Pool Lounge & Beer Garden in Arlington, VA on Friday, September 30th from 6-9 PM. The venue is conveniently located just a block away from Rosslyn Metro Station. 

It will be a great night of networking with a diverse group of energy professionals in the Washington metropolitan area. To attend, simply sign up at the link below!

SAVE THE DATE - October 11th

A virtual event with EcoAction Arlington 

"Building a Circular Economy:

Breaking the Produce-Consume-Dispose Paradigm" 

This is the first event of a three-part series called "Zero Waste: Building a Better Community."  Leaders in Energy and others are partnering with EcoAction Arlington to take a deep dive on the environmental benefits and economic opportunities of a zero waste, circular economy. Learn about actions that you or your business can take to support a zero-waste economy in your local community. 

Transforming to a Zero Waste Community hinges on rethinking how and where we produce, use, and reuse materials and goods. This program will explore how products and business practices can be redesigned to reduce impact on the environment, promote durability and reuse, and ultimately be recycled into new products for a more resilient community.

Leaders in Energy will moderate the session. 

Be sure to mark your calendar for Tuesday, October 11, 2022, 7–8:30 PM EDT.  

Registration will open soon.

You can also plan ahead for the other two "Zero Waste: Building a Better Community" events in the coming months:

• "Beyond Recycling: Reduce, Reuse, Repair" - November 29
• "Reimagining Our Waste Management Systems" - January 17

After two long years spent in deliberation and negotiations, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law on August 16th. The IRA is a massive bill containing legislation covering everything from prescription drug costs to corporate taxation, but it is also one of the most significant pieces of climate legislation passed in recent memory. A number of nonpartisan research groups have concluded that the law would reduce national greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40% below 2005 levels. There are, of course, weaknesses. Some of the most ambitious changes were disappointingly stripped from the bill or manipulated during negotiations.

Despite this and other shortfalls, the Inflation Reduction Act is something to be celebrated, and many mainstream environmental organizations have come out in support of the bill.

Some of its updated key provisions include: 

• A permanent tax on coal produced and sold domestically to support miners with Black Lung Disease
• $15 billion to reduce emissions via projects like rooftop and community solar in low-income and disadvantaged communities
• $1.1 billion to reduce pollution in disadvantaged communities near major transportation centers
• $550 million to improve access to drinking water for disadvantaged communities
• $400 million to upgrade school buses, garbage trucks, and transit buses in overburdened communities 
• $4 billion to increase drought resiliency in western states

As always, there is more work to be done. We should see this historic legislation and take heart, knowing that there are ways to make a difference regardless of our position in life. Getting involved in local action, writing to our legislators, and raising awareness can not only fuel more legislation like this in the future, but materially improve sustainability issues in our own communities.

Sean O'Neill – Ocean Energy Advocate and Leaders in Energy Mentor

It is with sadness that we learned recently about the passing of Sean O’Neill. Sean served as the Principal of his company, Symmetrix, where he provided public affairs support and crisis communications specializing in energy and the environment. He also served as a past President of the Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition (OREC). 

LE was very fortunate to have Sean's guidance in its early years and in becoming a non-profit entity. He also served as an speaker at an LE event on "Ocean Energy Issues and Opportunities" and advisor to LE on ocean energy technology. 

We will always be grateful for Sean's help with Leaders in Energy and value his larger contributions to help develop the ocean energy industry through his work.

The LE Ambassador Program is a growing group of sustainability-minded people and professionals from around the globe. Members are able to meet and connect with each other individually and through Zoom meetings to brainstorm and share best practices.

The Ambassador Program is focused on building an effective global action network that aligns and connects at distinct local and regional levels. With a set of participants diverse in their geographic location, position in industry, and many strengths, we are all united by our shared interest in the sustainable development of our respective communities.

This program aims to provide structure, framework, and resources to help develop action networks both within the USA and internationally. Our community of ambassadors currently includes people from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Asia.

If you are interested in joining the LE Ambassador Program, send an email to info@leadersinenergy.org with the subject header of “Ambassador Program.”