Planting Renewable Energy in the Mississippi Delta

1. Planting Renewable Energyin theMississippi Delta

2. Organization • The Madison Center / Delta State • Context for the Project • The Mississippi Delta • Geography • Socio-Economic Factors • The Plan

3. Delta State University • Established 1924 as a teachers college • One of eight public universities • Located in the Mississippi Delta

4. The Madison Center • The Madison Center for the Study of Democracy, Human Rights and the Constitution • Primarily responsible for civic engagement programs, public policy evaluation and a variety of programs throughout the year

5. The Madison Athenaeum • Program for meritorious African American students • Fully funded by Dept. of Justice • Begun 1999 • Evaluation for REEP?

6. REEP Renewable Energy And Education Project

7. Theoretical Grounding • 1. Open Communities • 2. Embedded Economies • 3. The Environment • 4. Globalization / Localization • 5. Technological Innovation • 6. Education

8. Delta History • Bolivar established in 1836 • Agriculture began in 1840s – 1850s • Slavery - Miss. Delta – South Carolina

9. Delta History • Home of the Blues • Robert Johnson to B.B. King • Civil Rights Movement • Emmitt Till • Fannie Lou Hamer – Miss. Freedom Dem. Party • Bob Moses – The Algebra Project • Basis for The Madison Athenaeum

10. MississippiDeltaGeography Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Alluvial plain Low-land swamp

11. Mississippi Delta Mississippi-Yazoo Delta

12. Oil and GasPipelines

13. Land Use Agriculture dominates Copses separate fields Fields to the horizon

14. Socio-Economic Factors

15. Population

22. Household Income2010 U.S.$49,445

26. Unemployment

29. Poverty

34. Goal I • Establish Renewable Energy Partnerships in the Delta • Cultivate renewable energy partnerships with Yazoo City and Mound Bayou communities.

35. Goal I • Organize stakeholders in initial target communities • Identify beneficiaries in each community for renewable energy projects • Create coordination protocol for communication and coordination • Identify a liaison from local power companies for collaboration • Delta Electric Power Association and Entergy Corporation

36. Goal I • Review local codes and regulations for technical compliance • Appoint a project leader in The Madison Center to coordinator REEP • Secure support and information from the Department of Energy on local projects • Seek a planning grant for renewable energy projects at the state and national levels

37. Goal II • Goal II. Establish information and planning to finance installation in community-based, non-profit facilities, public buildings and residences • First phase involves stand-alone solar water heating systems

38. Goal II • Develop an understanding of funding opportunities for non-profit, government and residential buildings.

39. Goal II • Determine • renewable energy standards at local power companies • state funding opportunities, tax benefits and compliance standards • federal supplemental funding and tax benefits • cash incentive and rebate programs • state legislation for up-front cost support for non-profit and public building projects

40. Goal II • Determine • opportunities for low-interest loans • likelihood of “community-wide” funding pacts to support installation • evaluate property and sales tax exemption programs at the local level

41. Goal II • Also explore collective purchasing of residential hot water and PV systems • Evaluate support for integrating renewable energy in low-income housing developments and stand-alone residences

42. Goal III • Enlist and train community talent for first stage installation projects

43. Goal III • Recruit local, licensed electricians for basic training in installation of solar energy projects • Mississippi State University offers installation training for local electricians • Engage state-level expertise and funding for the training of electricians • Seek federal funding for training • Recruit interns to learn basics of electrical work and the installation process

44. Goal IV • Goal IV. Develop and implement the plan to install solar energy projects in selected partnership homes.

45. Goal IV • Prioritize strategic sites for installation • Mound Bayou: St. Gabriel Mercy Center, City Hall, two churches • Yazoo City: Yazoo City Community, two churches • Establish the standards for recipients of renewable energy projects • Recruit undergraduate and graduate students for community survey work.

46. Goal V • Build a Publicity Campaign -- Broadcast the work of REEP and its partners

47. Goal V • Use the Gaia Project at the Madison Center, establish a project development page for REEP. • Document campus demonstration projects from planning, through site establishment, installation, and inspection by campus officials, partners, and potential donors and investors.

48. Goal V • Use both still and video documentation for publicity. • Engage journalism majors to cover campus and regional events.

49. Goal V • Seek coverage by local, state and national news organization for the project. • Employ interviews and blog commentary to develop interest in renewable energy. • Seek grant funding to support and extended publicity for renewable energy.

50. Goal VI • Develop a Renewable Energy Curriculum for Delta Middle Schools -- Develop renewable energy programs in middle school curriculum within Delta partnership school systems.