Local governments take active role in reducing North Carolina carbon emissions, setting own goals, weighing in on Duke Energy’s long range power plans
North Carolina is on the front lines of climate change, managing through hurricane seasons with increasingly frequent and intense storms and battling health and economic impacts from other extreme weather events – intense heat, drought and heavy rainfall. In the last few years, local governments across the state have taken on the task of reducing…
Read MoreVolusia County, FL: An All Ages Approach to Community Resiliency
If you hear the words “flooding” and “Florida” in the same sentence, you would not be alone in thinking of a beachfront community. However, inland areas in Florida can be just as, if not more, susceptible to flooding than their coastal neighbors Spring Hill, a neighborhood in DeLand, Florida, has experienced repeated flooding for years.…
Read MoreDuke Energy Solar Expansion Approved by Florida Regulators
As was announced in recent news, utility regulators at the Florida Public Service Commission voted 4-to-1 to approve Duke Energy Florida’s Clean Energy Connections program. Under the program, Duke will build ~750 MW of new solar projects. Thanks to the input and direct engagement from SSDN and dozens of Florida local government sustainability directors, approximately…
Read MoreSSDN 2020 Annual Report
Our culture has always been focused on building trusted relationships, and those relationships have persevered in a time of disconnection and intense anxiety. As a result, our members continued to show up for the network and for each other. They continued to demonstrate impact in their communities despite insurmountable challenges. Read the full 2020 Annual Report.…
Read MoreResiliency Through Solar: How Cape Canaveral, FL is Protecting Residents with Independent Energy
As a barrier island with only one bridge and central power line connecting it to the rest of Florida, the City of Cape Canaveral is particularly vulnerable to power outages caused by hurricanes. After enduring several years of powerful storms, the city saw an urgent need for a more sustainable and resilient energy source to…
Read MoreSSCF Grant Feature: Athens- Clarke County, Saving Homes for a Sustainable Future
The Southeast Sustainable Communities Fund project in Athens- Clarke County, GA was recently featured in US News highlighting the projects success in building a more resilient community in the West Broad neighborhood of Athens, GA. Read the full article below. In Georgia, Saving Homes for a Sustainable Future Sustainability isn’t only about conserving resources for…
Read MoreSSDN Welcomes New 2020 Steering Committee Members
SSDN would like to welcome our new 2020 Steering Committee members. We greatly appreciate their commitment to growing sustainability in our region and their dedication in helping lead the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network. Camille Pollan, Sustainability and Resilience Officer- City of New Orleans, LA Kenneth Darisaw, Energy and Sustainability Manager- Fulton County, GA Erika Ruane,…
Read MoreResiliency Through Solar: How Hillsborough County, FL is Planning for the Future with Sustainable Solutions
Hillsborough County, FL has been leading an aggressive effort to implement solar energy technologies throughout their community for the past several years. Like many other Florida communities, Hillsborough is motivated by a desire to cut energy costs, reduce emissions, and create more resilient energy sources that could keep critical infrastructure and services running through hurricanes…
Read MoreKnoxville’s Energy & Sustainability Initiative and Chattanooga’s Build it Green Program Announced Winners of the 2020 Tennessee Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards (GESA)
The Tennessee Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards (GESA) are presented annually to recognize outstanding achievements by individuals, local governments, businesses, organizations, educational institutions, and agencies for successful environmental projects and conservation measures. This year, two projects of the Southeast Sustainable Communities Fund, the Built it Green Program of Chattanooga and Knoxville’s Energy & Sustainability Initiative. Congratulations…
Read MoreHuffPost Highlights SSCF Project in Duck Hill, MS: How Some Mississippi Teens Are Saving Their Town From Climate Change
A new nonprofit coalition called Umbrella is teaching neighbors in New Orleans Hoffman Triangle how they can create solutions for flooding in their community
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