750: Clean Energy as a Wealth Creation Vehicle, Gilbert Campbell | Volte Energy Utility

SunCast

“Environmental justice is definitely an area that I’m passionate about because it’s deeply entwined with racial justice. Communities of color have been disproportionately victimized by environmental hazards, discriminatory environmental policy, and are far more likely to live in areas with heavy pollution.

At Volt, we are trying to reverse these injustices by building clean non-polluting solar plants in our communities.” - Gilbert Campbell

Pioneering innovative solutions like the Environmental Justice Power Purchase Agreement (EJPPA) to drive wealth creation and improve health outcomes through solar projects, Campbell has partnered with tech giants like Microsoft to supply 250MW of clean power. His model demonstrates how clean energy can simultaneously foster sustainability and social equity.

Marginalized communities across the country have long faced environmental injustice, overlooked for the kinds of development that bring economic opportunities - like renewable energy. As the shift to clean energy accelerates, prioritizing these communities and addressing both their health and financial needs is a key component of building a more equitable and just energy transition. With intentional deployment, solar projects have the power to close these gaps and create a more equitable future for all communities.

Gilbert Campbell, Founder & CEO of Volt Energy Utility, has dedicated his career to making renewable energy accessible, particularly for communities that have historically been left behind. A Howard University graduate and Board member of SEIA, Gilbert is a prominent leader and influential voice in clean energy.

Expect to learn:

• How Gilbert’s values of service and community shaped his clean energy journey
• How Gilbert leveraged his Corporate training into entrepreneurship and the origin of his energy businesses
• Why mentorship and developing diverse clean energy leaders led to programs like the Sharing the Power Foundation's HBCU Clean Energy and Environmental Justice Fellowship
• What are the challenges of clean energy communication and the need for better storytelling

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on how intentional clean energy investments can transform communities and create lasting impact.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

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