Stacey Meinzen

Stacey Meinzen has fifteen years of experience as a communications and research professional. She has served as a Marketing Specialist for the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program, researched proven and promising measures in reducing greenhouse gas emissions for Sonoma County’s Climate Action 2020 Plan, and worked as a Program Analyst for Sonoma County’s Regional Climate Protection Authority.
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Energy intensity down, U.S. economy up, and stranded assets as oil demand drops

With the incoming administration, I expect to hear the same arguments pitting energy conservation against the economy, followed by a call to build more pipelines and drill. Next time you hear that argument, you can share this graph. Between 1980 and 2011 the economy expanded by 230% from $6.5 trillion to 15.2 trillion (in inflation-adjusted dollars), while energy … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Energy Efficiency
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Former Republican EPA Secretary discusses Trump’s climate denial, but not GOP’s

William K. Reilly, a Republican and one-time head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was recently interviewed by Christian Schwägerl of Yale e360.  Reilly is dismayed that a climate change skeptic has been named to lead his former agency, but he insists environmental progress can be made. Reilly, who was head of the EPA  under … Read more

Categories Business Network
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Standing out in the suburbs

Since November we have all heard much about the January 21st Million Women Marches against Donald Trump being planned in Washington D.C. and beyond. Many will use it as an outlet for their anger. Neo conservative pundits will use it to feed into a narrative about “those lefty urban activists marching again.” Personally, I plan to attend … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
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Renewable energy at tipping point – with more investment needed

In a new report, the World Economic Forum has concluded that renewable energy is becoming competitive with fossil fuels, but the industry needs institutional investments. The World Economic Forum analysis shows that the cost of generating electricity from renewables has plunged over the last three years and is now equal to that of coal and … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
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Fiasco in Congress – a sign of things to come?

What can we glean from Tuesday’s debacle? House Republicans attempted to gut an independent ethics committee. They were met with such public outcry – plus a negative tweet from Trump – that they abandoned their plans. Let’s hope that this episode foreshadows the ability of a vocal public to impact what happens in Washington DC. Imagine … Read more

Categories Business Network
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Amidst the madness, 5 big reasons for hope

I spent the first part of last weekend feeling depressed about recent headlines. However, over the weekend I was reminded of the many committed and powerful people who surround us by way of a conversation with a friend about an ecology project she did with her daughters. This person has led many efforts to help tomorrow’s leaders gain a … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
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A Clean Energy Revolution is Already Underway

Clean Energy Revolution Now

The Department of Energy recently released a report, Revolution…now about the current state of the clean energy revolution.  The fossil fuel industry is clearly reacting against the momentum of the renewable energy industry.  During the Obama administration, clean energy costs dropped up to 94 percent. Here are statistics that indicate that renewable energy can win the … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Transportation
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Trump Consideration of Tillerson

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to choose ExxonMobil chief Rex Tillerson to be secretary of State, according to MSNBC host Joe Scarborough. This is very disturbing when we think about what it means for climate protection, as well as Trump’s personal interests.  Exxon has numerous partnerships with Rosneft, Russia’s state-owned oil company, and has lost more than … Read more

Categories Business Network
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Donald Trump’s interview with the New York Times offers hope on climate

In an interview with the New York Times on Tuesday, Donald trump provided some hope to climate protection advocates: “On climate change, Mr. Trump refused to repeat his promise to abandon the international climate accord reached last year in Paris, saying, “I’m looking at it very closely.” Despite the recent appointment to his transition team … Read more

Categories Business Network
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California civic leaders champion climate change

While the national stage is looking rather bleak, in California there’s plenty to be grateful for when it comes to climate protection champions in public service. Governor Jerry Brown has been leading climate protection efforts for several years.  In September of 2016, he signed SB 32, which requires California to slash greenhouse gas emissions to 40% … Read more

Categories Business Network