Session

Pitching Equity: Taking a Data Driven Approach to Equitable Program Design 

Topic Category:
Program Lifecycle 

Preferred Session Format:
Learning Lab 

Presentation Description:  
Attendees will work together in small groups to develop proposals to advance equitable outcomes through a utility energy efficiency program.  

First, presenters will share a case study that walks through the process of analyzing data to understand some of the program’s current equity impacts and potential opportunities for improvement. After the brief presentation, small groups of attendees will develop proposals to increase program equity impacts. We will provide groups with fictionalized program data, context, and a budget, then ask groups to reasonably allocate their budget across different activities, such as “community engagement” and “program design,” to most effectively increase program equity impacts. Each group will determine how to best identify and align the utility’s goals with community priorities to create effective solutions. This exercise will give attendees hands-on practice interpreting program data and working with stakeholders to create an impactful, feasible and attractive proposal. 

Finally, attendees will “pitch” their solutions to utility and community speakers who will provide real-time feedback on each proposed solution. Presenters will close by sharing takeaways essential to successful collaboration with key stakeholders to design and implement equitable utility programs.