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ABOUT CIVIL SOCIETY INSTITUTE |  |
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CSI is a non-profit, non-partisan research and education organization focusing on advancing civic engagement on issues that directly affect individuals and the communities in which they live and raise their families. Research and education efforts prioritize the support of democratic institutions and citizen involvement in solving problems using innovative strategies and unique partnerships. |
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Microgrids: A Practical Solution For Clean Energy | |
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The Civil Society Institute (CSI) looks for common ground and pragmatic solutions to complex problems. Microgrids can expand and integrate distributed renewable energy sources. They can be the common ground from which the country addresses our need for clean energy. There is important information about the potential of microgrids to accelerate the transition to a safe, secure, and clean energy future, but there is little information so far about their impact on jobs and the economy. We joined with Rocky Mountain Institute and Millennial Action Project to commission the following report from Guidehouse Insights to advance the understanding and potential of renewable microgrid technology, specifically the jobs and economic opportunities it represents. The Guidehouse report adds generating jobs and growing the economy to the list of benefits of microgrids. While the report explores in depth the positive impact on California and Puerto Rico, two areas on the frontlines of climate change disruption, every part of the country will see an increase in jobs and an economic boost from microgrids over the next decade. As the country recovers from the economic impact of COVID 19 and another wild year of severe storms and intense wildfires, there is an opportunity for microgrids to be at the center of modernizing the country’s electric grid to be resilient and to fuel economic growth over the next decade. And as our new r public opinion research on microgrid support shows, the public is ready. Ever pragmatic, the American ‘can do’ spirit is alive and well. We offer up these two reports to help inform decision makers at all levels about the transformative potential of these technologies. Microgrids Powered by Renewable Energy Will Generate Half a Million Jobs New report conducted by Guidehouse Insights and commissioned by Civil Society Institute, Millennial Action Project and RMI shows lasting impact on local economies and job growth from investing in renewable energy, battery storage and controls for microgrids. Washington, USA—November 17— A new Guidehouse Insights report, The Renewable Energy Economic Benefits of Microgrids, reveals the forecasted growth and economic benefits of microgrids to create a compelling case for why policymakers, businesses, and renewable energy advocates should collaborate, invest in and scale up implementation of microgrids. The report takes a high-level forecast of microgrids growth within the United States, and features California and Puerto Rico as case studies. Both areas have experienced power disruptions caused by natural disasters attributed to climate change, inducing long-term impacts on local economies. |
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SOLUTIONS VOTERS – A FORCE IN AMERICAN POLITICS | |
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Solutions Voters are a significant segment of the electorate and key drivers on clean energy issues. These voters are characterized by their optimism and have a robust belief in the problem solving, ‘can do’ legacy that has been the hallmark of America’s democracy. The Solutions Voter:
Solutions voters are engaged, independent ,less wedded to partisan positions and are less ideologically motivated than other voters. Therefore, they are more open to embrace solutions that arise from anyplace across the political spectrum. We are proud to work with a bipartisan team to better understand Solutions Voters and their take on issues, particularly clean energy issues.
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