Second Annual Spring Climate Conference
The Environmental Law Society of Cleveland State University hosts its second annual Spring Climate Conference on February 27, 2026, to discuss energy policy, electric demand, municipal energy generation, and financial incentives for energy development. Three hour-long panels feature attorneys and elected officials who discuss a topic individually and then as a group.
Agenda
8:25a–8:30a Introduction
8:30a–9:30a Municipal Sustainability Projects and Financial Incentives
Panelists overview several municipal projects under development that they manage and which are designed to increase electric generation and electric grid resilience. Joe Price will discuss the Diamond Shamrock brownfield site in Painesville, where a solar generation facility and metropark is to replace the site’s former power and chemical facilities. Mike Foley will present on expansion of the Brooklyn landfill generation facility and the continued planning of the Euclid microgrid district. Alexis Kim will provide an overview of what changes to production and investment energy tax credits have been made by and since the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, last year.
- Mike Foley, Administrator of Cuyahoga Green Energy, Cuyahoga County
- Alexis Kim, Partner, Thompson Hine
- Joe Price, Electric Superintendent, City of Painesville
9:35a–10:35a Community Energy Generation
Panelists discuss the business case for community-scale energy facilities, including solar projects on distressed sites. Panelists discuss what from their careers led them to their current positions, from which they advocate for increased, community-led energy generation. Representatives Ray and Rader will discuss the evolution and trajectory of House Bill 303 in particular, legislation designed to establish a community energy and pilot program.
- State Representative Sharon Ray, District 66
- State Representative Tristan Rader, District 13
- Kurt Princic, Senior Project Development Manager, CEP Renewables
10:40a–11:40a Data Center Operational Costs
Attorneys Addison Caruso and Helena Volzer discuss the water and electric cost of operating data centers and policies related to their siting. Electricity demand is rising for the first time in decades. The electricity capacity auction at Ohio’s electric power market administrator, PJM Interconnection, reflect this rise in demand, and forecast a general rise in electricity costs and an increased risk of grid instability. Both state and local policies have developed mixed responses to heightened pressure for new data centers, which technology companies seek to build for tomorrow’s computational demands.
- Addison Caruso, Ohio Staff Attorney, Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services
- Helena Volzer, Senior Source Water Policy Manager, Alliance for the Great Lakes
11:40a–11:45a Closing Remarks
This program is Free and registration is not required.