THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACKS IN SOLAR
1105 W Street SE Washington, D.C. 20020 Phone 202.506.7586
FOUNDING MEMBERS
Positive Change Purchasing Cooperative
LLC. Takoma Park, MD
Sundial Solar Power Developers
WDC Solar
President of NABS and PCPC LLC
From: Ronald K. Bethea
7614 15TH Avenue
Takoma Park, MD
Contact: 202-246-4924
To: George Ashton Co-founder
Sol-System Board of Advisors and Board of Directors
1101 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 200
Washington DC 20036.
202-748-8191
Washington, D.C
Reference: “NABS negotiating a position with major corporations to serve as off takers for NABS Member Projects on their books.”
Dear Mr. Ashton,
It is my pleasure to introduce the many organizations that I represent. As the President of the National Association of Blacks in Solar, the President of Positive Change Purchasing Cooperative LL, I have been able to gather a group of the leading African American owned solar design, developers , installers and workforce development training companies in the solar industry throughout the nation.
We have projects that are on the table nationwide in the magnitude of more than 200 MW. I would like to engage with you on specific ways that we could partner as we move forward with the solar projects to have designated off takers for the energy projects based on this fact.
As you as you are keenly aware without the off takers many of these projects will not get off the ground. So that why we are reaching out your guidance in that regard.
In this letter you will find the many policies that direct opportunities for the black community as it directs to our ability to have viable solar projects in the black community such as.
Establishment of a process for evaluating social, political, economic environments priorities in the development of an individualized long-term solar strategy for HBCUs, Black banks, Black churches, Black municipalities, Black county governments, Black businesses, Black non-profits. and demanding that the Biden Administration invest 35% of the $1.7 trillion that his administration plans to invest in clean energy in black communities nationally to combat climate change.
Community engagement over the last 12 years to educate the African American community about climate change and the solar industry with its many benefits has been a major problem. Because getting the solar industry, city, state and federal government to invest advertising dollars with African American owned media to educate African American communities has been a major issue nationally. The NABS will be solicitating funding from the public and private sectors to pay for syndication and broadcasting costs with the Urban One Radio Network of radio programs such as “Solar Now and the Future With its Economic Impact on Black America.” The program educates the black community locally and nationally about the economic impacts of climate change and provides environmental education to the black community. Through syndication, the program will be heard in 76 markets nationally, which will help drive public opinion in reaching our stated goals.
Targeting African-American-owned institutions, including HBCUs, black-owned banks, businesses, churches, farmers, and property owners, along with targeted funding for African-American-owned commercial and residential units nationally through the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The Biden administration is planning to implement these resources over his first term.
Requesting full funding for a national HBCU Five- Year Green Economic Development Sustainability Plan developed by the Positive Change Purchasing Cooperative, LLC. and PEER Consultants, led by their CEO, Dr. Lilia Abron, P.E., BCEE receives the highest professional distinction accorded to an engineer, as an inductee of the National Academy of Engineers Class of 2020.
The plan also includes:
Using Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) as a national organizing tool to cut energy costs for black-owned businesses and residential properties, nationally and to negotiate with Chain Store Franchisers on Solar for Black Franchisees
Using the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) which provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to African American agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase or install renewable energy systems or to make energy efficient improvements
Negotiating a position with major corporations to serve as off takers for NABS Member Projects on their books.
I certainly look forward to having a healthy discussion in that regard. Let’s certainly set up a zoom meeting for March 22 or 23 2012. If you would get back to with time that will fit into your schedule. So I can get this information out to our membership so they can participate it would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Ronald K. Bethea
President, NABS and PCPC LLC
cc. Will R. Shirley, Vice-President, National Association of Blacks in Solar