Scripps College student Mia Cooledge ’13 has been selected as one of the nation’s top rising young leaders in the sustainable energy sector by national non-profit organization Focus the Nation.
Twenty students from across the country have been selected for their dedication, passion, and unique contribution to advancing sustainable energy in America. The young leaders—five each in the categories of Technician, Innovator, Politico, and Storyteller—will meet for one week on August 11th, 2013 on Oregon’s Mt. Hood at the ReCharge! Retreat to explore an area of the country where energy is accelerating towards renewables.
Participants will hike Elliot Glacier, which has experienced 60 percent snowpack loss since 1982; tour the Boardman Coal Plant, scheduled to close by 2020; experience The Dalles Dam, located on the Columbia River and producing hydropower since 1957; and visit Biglow Canyon Wind Farm, which powers 125,000 homes in rural Oregon. Upon returning home, ReCharge! Delegates put what they learn at the retreat to use on their campus and in their communities by promoting sustainable energy solutions.
Cooledge is studying Environmental Analysis: Engineering at Scripps College and has been selected as a young leader in the Innovator category. “I’m looking forward to the ReCharge Retreat experience as a way to switch my mind from worrying about the doomsday environmental scenarios that are what I mostly see on the news to really feeling positive about the idea of what I can do to change things and help those around me live more sustainable lives,” says Cooledge.
Focus the Nation created ReCharge! in collaboration with The Center for Whole Communities to address the need for rising leaders to approach energy challenges with innovative ideas and fortitude throughout their careers. ReCharge! is made possible through sponsorship by Bonneville Power Administration, EDP Renewables, KEEN Footwear, and Portland General Electric.
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Focus the Nation is the country’s leading youth empowerment organization and supports rising leaders in launching careers that accelerate the transition to sustainable energy in all fifty states. Since 2008, the organization has helped more 300,000 young people engage in direct dialogue with business and elected leaders around energy solutions. For more information about Focus the Nation and ReCharge!, visit www.focusthenation.org/recharge/2013 or contact Jessica Earley at jessica@focusthenation.org