Panel Sessions
EPA hosted panel discussions with environmental leaders to talk about ideas to overcome environmental pollution and climate change challenges through the Inflation Reduction Act and other new Investing in America programs.
On this page:
Overview
EPA held a Virtual Open House with environmental leaders November 6 - 14, 2023. The focus of the engaging conversations was on the resources available to communities from the Inflation Reduction Act and other new Investing in America funding programs – featuring topics on investments in environmental and climate justice. Each panel focuses on a unique topic, ranging from the climate crisis in rural communities to making change through collaboration.
Learn how funding can impact your unique community concerns by reviewing the panel recordings and presentations below.
Panels & Recordings
Rural Communities
No One Left Behind: The Climate Crisis in Rural Communities
Held Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 | 11:30 a.m. EST
No One Left Behind: The Climate Crisis in Rural Communities - Recording
No One Left Behind: The Climate Crisis in Rural Communities - Presentation (pdf)
No One Left Behind: The Climate Crisis in Rural Communities
Rural Americans are on the frontlines of climate change impacts and increasingly severe weather that threatens their health, safety and livelihoods. Join us for a robust discussion with expert panelists discussing solutions to address the often-overlooked impact of the climate crisis on rural communities.
Panelists:
- Venus Welch-White (Moderator) - EPA, Senior Advisor/Ag Advisor Office Career Lead
- Lupe Gonzalo - Coalition of Immokalee Workers
- Vanessa Garcia Polanco - National Young Farmers Coalition, Policy Team
- Chantel Simpson - North Carolina A & T University, Professor
Technical Assistance
Driving Community Success: Unleashing Potential with Technical Assistance
Held Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 | 6:30 p.m. EST
Driving Community Success: Unleashing Potential with Technical Assistance - Recording
Driving Community Success: Unleashing Potential With Technical Assistance - Presentation (pdf)
Join us for a dynamic and engaging panel discussion on the transformative power of technical assistance. Led and moderated by EPA experts, this panel discusses how technical assistance can drive community success. From providing guidance on funding opportunities to offering capacity building support, technical assistance plays a crucial role in empowering communities to achieve their goals.
Panelists:
- Esther Sosa - EPA, Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTAC) Program Manager
- Sonia Joshi - Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTAC) / Institute for Sustainable Communities, Director of U.S Programs
- Andrea Denny - EPA Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) Acting Branch Chief for the State and Local Climate and Energy Program; Leadership Team Member for Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program
- Alex Valdez - EPA Office of Chief Financial Officer, Prepared Technical Assistance Grant
- Tracey Enger - EPA Office of Air and Radiation, Indoor Air Quality Program Manager
Community-driven Change
Community-driven Change with Grants Opportunities
Held Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023 | 6:30 p.m. EST
Community-driven Change with Grants Opportunities - Recording
Community-driven Change with Grants Opportunities - Presentation (pdf)
Join us to hear how community leaders and community-based organizations are planning to take advantage of Inflation Reduction Act funding opportunities. Learn about climate mitigation, pollution prevention, and other concerns they plan to address with funding and consider what activities might work in your community.
Panelists:
- Dr. Larissa Mark (Moderator), EPA, Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) staff lead
- Sonia Kikeri - Emerald Cities Collaborative, National Director of Civic Infrastructure
- Denise Abdul-Rahman - Indiana Alliance for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Economic Opportunities, Founder of Indiana Environmental and Climate Justice Hub
- Sheila Serna - Rio Grande International Study Center (Laredo, TX)
Electric Vehicles
Charging Ahead: Building Sustainable Communities with Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
Held Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023 | 4:00 p.m. EST
Charging Ahead: Building Sustainable Communities with Electric Vehicle Infrastructure - Recording
Join us for a discussion on the importance of centering equity in the transition to electric vehicles (EV). Expert panelists share their insights on how to ensure that the benefits of EV infrastructure are accessible to all, including communities that have historically been marginalized.
Panelists:
- Ale Nunez (Moderator) - EPA, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Mobile Sources
- Liz Hurtado - Moms Clean Air Force, National Field Manager
- Heather Bartlett - ITEP Tribal Clean Transportation Program, Senior Program Coordinator
- Tatiana Height - Coastal Carolina University Honors College Lecturer, Sustainability and Coastal Resilience
The Inflation Reduction Act and Youth
The Inflation Reduction Act: Youth and the Climate Crisis
Held Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023 | 6:30 p.m. EST
The Inflation Reduction Act: Youth and the Climate Crisis - Recording
The Inflation Reduction Act: Youth and the Climate Crisis - Presentation (pdf)
Through the Inflation Reduction Act, billions of dollars in historic investments are poised to help address the climate crisis and the future our youth will inherit. Join us for a discussion with our expert panelists who will explore the intersection of the climate crisis, youth and the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Panelists:
- Ahmad Perez (Moderator) - EPA, Office of Air and Radiation, Special Assistant for Implementation and Climate Justice
- Victoria Whalen - Action for the Climate Emergency (ACE), Social Media Fellow
- Justina Thompson - Black Girl Environmentalist, HUB Coordinator
- Paul Anthony Presendieu - Soulful Synergy, Community Engagement Director
Green Jobs
Green Jobs, Diversity and Just Transition
Held Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 | 11:30 a.m. EST
Green Jobs, Diversity and Just Transition - Recording
Green Jobs, Diversity and Just Transition - Presentation (pdf)
How are we going to employ a just transition? Led by experts in youth engagement, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers, and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) this dynamic panel will explore and discuss what jobs are needed and how to retain them to successfully implement a just transition under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Panelists:
- Wanda Pemberton (Moderator) - EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) Program Development Specialist
- Dan Lloyd - MinorityMillenials, Founder and Executive Director
- Kristy Drutman - BrownGirlGreen, Founder
- Andres Jimenez - Green 2.0, Executive Director
Voyage to Justice
Navigating Equity at America's Ports
Held Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 | 4:00 p.m. EST
Voyage to Justice: Navigating Equity at America's Ports - Recording
Voyage to Justice: Navigating Equity at America's Ports - Presentation (pdf)
Join us for a discussion centered on our nation’s ports as we explore solutions to the unique challenges faced by those living in and near port communities—including air and water pollution, industrial waste, and inadequate infrastructure.
Panelists:
- Haley Galliano (Moderator) - EPA Office of Chief Financial Officer
- Ana Baptista - New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, Board of Trustees | Associate Professor of Environmental Policy
- Daneca Tran - PCAT, Port Community Action Team
- Leticia Gutierrez - Air Alliance Houston, Co-facilitator of Houston-area Healthy Port Communities Coalition
Unincorporated Communities
Uncovering the Challenges of Unincorporated Communities
Held Monday, Nov. 13, 2023 | 11:30 a.m. EST
Uncovering the Challenges of Unincorporated Communities - Recording
Uncovering the Challenges of Unincorporated Communities - Presentation (pdf)
Join us for an insightful panel discussion moderated by EPA as we explore the unique challenges faced by unincorporated communities in relation to environmental justice. This panel aims to shed light on the specific issues and disparities experienced by these communities, and our expert panelists will share their knowledge, experience, and strategies for addressing these concerns.
Panelists:
- Jasmin Muriel (Moderator) - EPA Office of Environmental Justice External Civil Rights, Environmental Protection Specialist
- Brenda Wilson - West End Revitalization Association, Co-founder
- Omega Wilson - West End Revitalization Association, Co-Founder
- Roque Barros - Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation, Executive Director
Indigenous Communities
Building Stronger Futures: Tribal and Indigenous Communities and the Inflation Reduction Act
Held Monday, Nov. 13, 2023 | 4:00 p.m. EST
Join us in this critical conversation to explore the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic impact on indigenous communities. Our discussion, moderated by EPA leaders, will feature expert panelists who will share their insights on the transformative potential of the Inflation Reduction Act to build resilience and address environmental injustices.
Panelists:
- Andy Bessler - EPA, Stakeholder Coalition Coordinator
- Joe Seidenberg - Red Feather Development Group, Executive Director
- Pilar Thomas - Quarles, Partner
Community Engagement
Community Engagement: Building Strong Communities Through Collaboration
Held Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 | 11:30 a.m. EST
Community Engagement: Building Strong Communities Through Collaboration - Recording
Community Engagement: Building Strong Communities Through Collaboration - Presentation (pdf)
Join us for a discussion with community leaders about the importance of centering community voices in the decision-making process, as well as tools and techniques for creating more creative, inclusive, and collaborative spaces.
Panelists:
- Toni Jones (Moderator) - EPA, Technical Expert for Outreach and Engagement
- Arif Ullah - South Bronx Unite, Executive Director
- Lottie Ferguson - Community Foundation of Greater Flint, VP of Development | Former Chief Resiliency Officer at City of Flint