To Ensure Frontline Community Engagement and a Just Transition to Solar Energy, The CLEO Institute Works with the City of Tampa on Climate Action and Equity Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Ian Quartin, Iquartin@cleoinstitute.org

TAMPA, Fla. (Friday, Nov. 5, 2021)

To Ensure Frontline Community Engagement and a Just Transition to Solar Energy, The CLEO Institute Works with the City of Tampa on Climate Action and Equity Plan

The City of Tampa’s Climate Action and Equity Plan is officially underway as part of Mayor Castor’s Resilient Tampa Roadmap. This comes at a time where Tampa has joined over 1,000 cities globally to take part in the Race To Zero campaign to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Along with this news, the City has announced a $1M investment for solar panels and up to 30 EV charging stations at the City Center at Hanna municipal building in East Tampa.

To ensure frontline community engagement and a just transition to solar energy, The CLEO institute in partnership with the City of Tampa has been tasked with giving a voice to underserved communities that will be hit the hardest by the climate crisis. “Residents in historically underrepresented communities must not only be included, but centered and prioritized, as we consider investments towards reducing our heat-trapping gas emissions” said Betty Jean-Jeremie, Tampa Program Manager with The CLEO Institute. CLEO will be collecting feedback from the community through regional ambassadors collecting surveys, listening sessions, Climate 101’s, and town halls.

“Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in the city of Tampa’s journey towards a clean energy future. This climate plan will provide bold recommendations to city departments and the community on how to transition to renewable energy and increase our city’s resilience to future climate impacts,” said Whit Remer, Sustainability & Resilience Officer for the City of Tampa. “And with the help of the CLEO Institute, we are addressing our clean energy transition and community resilience with equity and frontline communities at the forefront of our recommendations.”

“Tampa is leading by example with this major investment into clean, renewable energy, and the expansion of the EV charging network,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “I am so proud of our staff for incorporating sustainability and resilience at every turn of this important project. These investments are not only good for the community but also help the city save money in the long run.”