2021 CUB Conference Panel Preview – Keynote Speaker Ezell Watson
Posted on September 21, 2021 by Bob Jenks
Tags, Conference & Events
CUB’s 11th annual Energy Policy Conference, Changing Climates: Reliability and Resilience in our Energy Systems, is right around the corner. Taking place virtually on October 15, 2021, this conference is designed to educate energy and utility policy analysts, attorneys, advocates, regulators, and others working in and around the energy industry. Here on the CUB Blog, we are previewing each of the day’s sessions to help you get a feel for what the program has in store. Today, I’m particularly pleased to offer a preview of our midday keynote presentation.
Like many organizations, over the past few years CUB has had many conversations about incorporating equity into our organization, our work, and our lives. Talking about the resilience of energy systems requires a discussion of equity. The 2020 Labor Day Weekend wildfires disproportionately affected manufactured housing and vulnerable communities. The COVID pandemic has ravaged low-income and BIPOC communities, leaving many households unable to pay their utility bills. Building up the resilience of households—of communities – requires us to improve our understanding of equity.
Delivering the 2021 CUB Conference keynote is Ezell Watson III, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the Oregon Public Utility Commission. Mr. Watson is a leader in the field of DEI, i.e. social justice, and an advocate for human rights, specifically the rights of Oregonians. He brings a wealth of experience to his role including 10 years of experience in the wireless communication sector and 10 years as a DEI professional.
As a social justice champion, Mr. Watson led equity efforts within the Portland Public Schools’ offices of Community Engagement, including the renaming process of the now Ida Bae Wells Barnett High School, formerly Woodrow Wilson High School. He also played an integral role in developing and enhancing the school district’s five-year equity plan. Mr. Watson believes wholeheartedly in the goodness of humanity and seeks to “Promote smiles and happiness in the atmosphere,” anytime he engages in ANY endeavor.
Mr. Watson offered the following description of his topic, titled “The Equity Dance”:
A New Rhythm, a new cadence, a new sound. What is this new sound? It’s the sound of the equity shift in the energy sector. Join me as we learn the Electric Slide — equity edition. Whenever I’ve learned a new dance, it’s taken patience and practice. I’d often ask my dance instructors “can you show me that step again, or does this look right?” Do you ever ask yourself similar questions, relative to equity in the energy sector? “Am I doing this correctly? How is this supposed to look? Can you show me how to do ‘that’ again?” Let’s explore Diversity, Equity and INCLUSION as it applies to energy, through the lens of learning a new dance. But just like when we learn a dance, remember let’s have FUN too!
Over the last year, many of us have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Watson. He is smart and engaging. He challenges us to think outside our communities and listen to new voices. He is both entertaining and serious. While I think our entire conference program is engaging, I am most excited to hear from Ezell Watson.
Early Bird pricing ends THIS FRIDAY, September 24; I encourage you to get your ticket today to take advantage of this Early Bird discount.
Curious to know more about the other sessions we have planned? Check out the CUB Blog: Conference & Events feed to see previews of breakout panels discussing 100% clean electricity, resilience and who it benefits, and how Oregon can ensure resource adequacy and reliability in the face of mounting climate change challenges. And watch for continuing previews of the 2021 CUB Conference agenda in the coming weeks! You can also receive conference news right in your inbox by joining our email list (select “Policy Conference” in the sign-up form), and we encourage readers to join the conversation on Twitter at #CUBCon21.
CUB is continually grateful to our sponsors for their generous support of this event, particularly Polar Bear sponsors NW Natural, Pacific Power, and Portland General Electric; and Media sponsor Clearing Up.
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09/21/21 | 0 Comments | 2021 CUB Conference Panel Preview – Keynote Speaker Ezell Watson