Jersey Renews and Action Together New Jersey are pleased to present Clean Energy Future: A Forum on Opportunities for New Jersey! A panel of experts will share uplifting news about advancements in renewable energy technology, work in reducing emissions, and the potential of new and developing projects! Hear what’s new in offshore wind and solar power, how sustainability and efficiency are quickly becoming the new lens through which we view energy sourcing, and how we can all help #ActOnClimate!
Date: Tuesday, November 14
Time: 7 pm
Location: UFCW Hall 464A
245 Paterson Avenue
Little Falls, NJ 07424
Rachael Shwom
As associate professor in the School of Environmental and Biological Science’s Department of Human Ecology, Rachael conducts research that links sociology, psychology, engineering, economics, and public policy to investigate how social and political factors influence society’s responses to energy and climate problems. Since arriving at Rutgers eight years ago, Dr. Shwom, who became Associate Director of the Rutgers Energy Institute (REI) in July 2017, has actively participated in REI and has served as a key member of its Energy Economics, Environment, and Policy Systems strategic planning committee. Rachael has also served on the Rutgers Climate Institute’s advisory committee and is currently a Co-PI on a multi-university, $1.5 million National Science Foundation grant on “Reducing Household Food, Energy and Water Consumption: A Quantitative Analysis of Interventions and Impacts of Conservation.” Since 2003, she has served on the American Statistical Association’s Advisory Committee to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration. She served on the American Sociological Association (ASA)’s Task Force on Climate Change from 2011-2015 and of the Research and Publications Committee of ASA’s Environment, Technology and Society Section from 2015-2016. Prior to coming to Rutgers, Rachael was a Christine Mirzayan Science Technology and Policy Fellow at the National Academies of Sciences and a Michigan State University Environmental Science and Policy Fellowship recipient (Ph.D., Sociology 2009). From 2001-2004, Rachael worked in the utility demand side management sector.
Richard Lawton is Executive Director of the New Jersey Sustainable Business Council, a coalition of businesses dedicated to creating a more vibrant, sustainable, and just economy through market and policy solutions. After a thirty year career in the magazine publishing industry, he earned an MBA in Sustainability from Antioch University New England and started Triple Ethos – a consultancy that helps businesses redefine success within a triple bottom line framework – People, Planet, Profit.
William (Bill) O’Hearn has more than 30 years of experience as a corporate communications, environmental advocacy, and public policy professional, with a focus on renewable energy. He has a Bachelor’s from UVA and lives in Ringwood, NJ.
Elliott Ruga has been the policy director for the New Jersey Highlands Coalition for 10 years. Among the many activities Mr. Ruga undertakes on behalf of the Coalition, he advocates for protective legislation and policies on the municipal, county, regional, state and federal levels, in order to advance the protection of the Highlands’ valuable water and other natural and cultural resources. Ruga is also a filmmaker and holds 2 national Emmy Awards. Today, Ruga produces advocacy videos for the Coalition.
