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20 days of Spark Northwest: Days 11-15

🎉 Get your tickets to Spark Northwest’s 20th Anniversary Celebration 🎉

Monday, October 18th- Focus on Energy Equity

The benefits of clean energy are inequitably accessed. For example, since high out-of-pocket solar costs limit who installs solar, the Washington state production incentive almost entirely went to single family homeowners while low-income communities were left out.

Solar disparities aren’t just about income- research shows that BIPOC communities, despite often being impacted “first and worst” by climate change, are left behind disproportionately. A national UC Berkeley study found that “for households with the same median household income, Black- and Hispanic-majority census tracts had fewer rooftop solar photovoltaics installed compared with those areas with no majority ethnic group, by 69 and 30 percent, respectively. White-majority census tracts had installed 21 percent more.”

When we work to increase access for middle and low-income households and communities of color, we can ensure that everyone has access to the benefits of affordable clean energy. From state solar incentive funds, to lower energy costs, to increasing community resiliency, local energy projects have the power to make a big difference! That’s why we’re partnering with communities to build an equitable clean energy future.

Tuesday, October 29th- It’s #turnbacktuesday. How can you develop a diverse clean energy workforce when in-person learning is on pause? Spark Northwest connected Northwest Indian College, Lake Washington Institute of Technology, and Tacoma-based Remote Energy to bring the hands-on classroom experience to students at home through take-home lab kits. Read the full story.

Wednesday, October 20th- Seattle radio station 100.7 caught up with Executive Director Andrea Axel to find out how Spark Northwest works with communities to accelerate the shift to clean energy- listen to the interview to hear about some recent work and future goals.

Curious to learn more about our recent programs and ask some questions? Join Spark Northwest’s Daniel Poppe for a lunch & learn as part of the University of Washington Combined Fund Drive. The event is free and open to UW students/faculty/alumni with a NetID- check it out here.

Thursday, October 21st- Spark Northwest presents an in-depth look at the inequitable effects of climate change. Join us for this lunchtime conversation about energy inequality, climate disasters in communities of color, and the future of energy justice. Sign up here.

Spark Northwest Project Manager Tarika Powell is a regional expert on fossil fuel infrastructure, public safety, and land use management. Tarika is a popular speaker and presenter who connects the dots between energy policy and environmental justice for working communities and communities of color.

Friday, October 22nd- Giveaway day! Become an Energizer by signing up to make a monthly donation to Spark Northwest, and enter to win a Luci Light solar lantern. Donations between Monday 10/18 and Thursday 10/28 are valid- just check the box to “make this a monthly donation” when making your donation to be entered. Even a small monthly donation has a huge impact. Energizers power Spark Northwest to generate more equitable clean energy across the Northwest. Winner to be announced on Friday, 10/29!

Last week’s highlights- THANK YOU to everyone who joined for fall trivia! Questions were answered, costumes were admired, and competition was had. The event raised over $3000- easily outdoing our goal of $2500. And it was one of our biggest trivia nights yet, with over 50 participants. We can’t wait for the next Spark Northwest trivia night and hope to see you there

ICYMI- A great (mini) interview with Spark Northwest’s Mikhaila Gonzales and board member/Northwest Indian College faculty member Stephanie Bostwick. From microgrids and energy sovereignty to preparing the next generation of Native engineers to create local clean energy, Mikhaila and Stephanie highlight the value of a clean energy future for tribal nations.

Coming up soon- Join us for Spark Northwest’s 20th Anniversary Celebration on October 28th! Whether you’re new to Spark Northwest or have been following along for a while, join us virtually for fun, friends, and clean energy. There will be time for “table groups” to chat, so bring along a few people you’d like to build a clean energy future with! We’ll share stories, project updates, and hear about what the next 20 years hold. Tickets here.