2021 Nominations for the Dr. Espanola Jackson Solar Justice Award Open

Emphasis: Power is pleased to announce that nominations for the Dr. Espanola Jackson Solar Justice Award are open. The award is set to celebrate outstanding solar justice heroes in honor of the legacy of Dr. Espanola Jackson.

The late Dr. Espanola Jackson was a renowned environmental justice leader and solar ambassador for families with low income. She was a dedicated grassroots community activist that worked tirelessly to ensure economic justice, environmental justice, and that the civil rights issues of the community are addressed.

She made a great impact in the state of California, particularly Bayview Hunters Point Community and San Francisco. She was recognized and honored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the environmental impact she made in the country.

She collaborated on several projects such as coming up with a solar incentive plan for the residents of San Francisco. Dr. Espanola also advocated for the rights of tenants in the low-income category and was involved in the shutting down of the Potrero Power Plant.

Community activist Espanola Jackson died at the age of 82-years-old and left a legacy that will live on. To celebrate Dr. Espanola Jackson, Emphasis: Power is proud to recognize and honor great solar justice heroes in our community today with the Dr. Espanola Jackson Solar Justice Award.

The award recognizes individuals who are:

  • Leaders who have served their communities for a long time anywhere in the US
  • Great coalition builders who can mobilize their support in and around their community
  • Committed to improving the health and well-being of people in their communities using solar energy
  • Able to influence the local or state energy policy agenda by way of direct grassroots advocacy
  • Working at crossroads to ensure access to clean energy & racial justice
  • Dedicated to put a stop to the polluting energy economy and use clean energy opportunities to promote health, jobs, and more savings to people in their community

The aim of giving this award is to honor the important role of activism that is geared towards the community by people of color who are committed to environmental progress and clean energy transition.

The recipients of this award are individuals that practice environmental justice leadership and offer inspiration to the community to embrace the clean energy transition. They are role models when it comes to environmental justice leadership and a great inspiration to the public to work and support the move to a just clean energy transition.

Usually, Emphasis: Power holds this event in San Francisco. However, this year, the event will be celebrated virtually due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The timeline of the award process is as follows:

  • Nominations Open: April 7th
  • Nominations Close: May 3rd
  • Nominees give limelight on our platform: During May
  • Winner Announced: June 9th
  • Virtual Reception: July 14th

All nominations sent for award consideration will be reviewed by a committee that includes Emphasis: Power staff and other people that worked with Dr. Espanola Jackson closely.

During the virtual event, Emphasis: Power will recognize the awardee and gift $5,000 to their organization.

Solar Customers in Kansas Will Get Refunds

The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) held its regular business meeting on April 8, 2021. During the meeting, the corporation voted unanimously requiring Evergy to give refund to solar customers.

According to the order, the commission reviewed the legal authority that was mentioned by the Solar Group and was convinced that the solar customers are entitled to the refunds. The commission requires Evergy to give refunds to the DG solar customers after the company placed them on the Distributed Generation Residential Standard rate. This was based on what the customers would have paid on the Residential Standard rate.

The chairman of the commission, French said that it was important to consider new ways to address the issue. He went on to say that other states have considered the value of Solar Studies and this approach has worked well since it does not assume an outcome.

Commissioner Susan Duffy also echoed the same sentiments saying that she hoped the parties would use this time to consider more modern ways to tackle the issue. Based on the order, it was clear that the commission requires the stakeholders to come together and look for a holistic approach to move forward.

Solar advocates also requested to allow solar users to choose any Residential Standard rate. Following this, Evergy agreed to the request to allow solar customers to choose any rate.

However, the company made an exemption of the Time of Use (TOU) pilot saying that there would be difficulty with the rate and the net metering. The Kansas Corporation Commission approved their offer.

The Commission also made remarks regarding the Petition for Reconsideration and Clarification by Electric Companies. The Commission said that only an added service like exporting would be justified for an added fee like the proposed grid access charge. This, therefore, means that Evergy will not charge their solar customers discriminatory charges moving forward.

Apart from the Evergy Central customers, we also believe that the demand charges should also be removed for their other Kansa customers. Emphasis: Power is committed to working with the commission to ensure solar power is made accessible in Kansas.