The Path to Clean Energy Runs Through Communities
Join us for a lunch-time panel and discussion on how effective community engagement can help ensure clean energy projects are planned, developed, and deployed successfully. Lunch will be provided to attendees.
Tackling climate change will require large-scale build out of new infrastructure such as solar power plants, wind farms, battery energy storage systems, and transmission lines. However, these projects can face community opposition. More than 100 US counties now have adopted anti-solar ordinances and some communities have successfully blocked wind farms.
Building clean energy infrastructure is crucial to reducing climate emissions, and community engagement can be the key to addressing local opposition.
At this San Diego Climate Week event, a panel of experts with experience in communications, project development, and stakeholder engagement will share their own best practices and stories from the field.
We will then break into small groups to discuss ways to engage community members and help greenlight new clean energy development.
Speaker Bios:
Julie Wright is president and founder of (W)right On Communications, an integrated strategic communications agency with deep experience in energy infrastructure, technology and community engagement. Earlier this year, she launched WOC | Signal, (W)right On’s specialized agency serving clean energy, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and other complex B2B sectors. She and her team advise organizations on how to build trust, communicate complex projects clearly and engage communities in ways that address concerns early and credibly. Julie also serves as board chair of Reposit Carbon, an enhanced rock weathering company for carbon dioxide removal, and as a director of publicly traded Innovotech Inc. In 2025, she was named the San Diego Press Club’s Andy Mace Award recipient for public relations and the IABC San Diego chapter’s Communicator of the Year.
Francisca Martinez is passionate about improving the lives of people and the planet. After nearly a decade of experience in public policy at the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, she looks forward to bridging the gap between clean energy development and the communities it serves in her current role as Sr. Community Engagement Manager at EDF Power Systems. Martinez holds a degree in Environmental Science from UCLA and a Master of Business Administration from USC
Moderator Bio:
Bob Keefe is E2’s executive director, overseeing all aspects of E2’s work and its staff and chapters stretching from New York to San Diego. Bob speaks regularly about the clean energy economy and the economic benefits of smart environmental policies. He has testified before Congress and numerous state legislatures and has appeared in media outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox, CNN and others. Bob is the author of two books on the economics of climate change: “Climatenomics: Washington Wall Street and the Economic Battle to Save Our Planet” (2022) and “Clean Economy NOW: Stories from the Frontlines of an American Business Revolution” (2024) and co-author of several other business-related books. Prior to joining E2 in 2011, Bob spent more than 20 years as a journalist, covering business, political, national and environmental news from coast to coast. In 2025, he was named to TIME magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders.
About CCSD: Climate Collective SD (CCSD) is a community organization founded to inspire San Diego to lead the fight against climate change and build a more sustainable future. Through monthly networking meetups, coworking sessions, and speaker events, we bring together professionals and entrepreneurs for meaningful discussion on cross-sector climate action and decarbonization across San Diego. Don’t forget to check out our website to see all the climate events in San Diego!
About E2: E2 is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org.
Transportation: Bivouac is conveniently located in North Park and is easily accessible by MTS bus service via the 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, and 215 lines. All bus and trolley lines are free for Clean Air Day! Bike parking is available outside and in the nearby area. There is also a parking garage nearby if street parking is unavailable.
By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the organizers of San Diego Climate Week and our event platform partner, Climatebase. Your information will not be shared with third parties.