STEPS Initiative, Workshop 1: Environmental Justice & Energy Equity

Welcome to Workshop 1: Introduction to Environmental Justice & Energy Equity of the Student Training & Experience for Professional Success (STEPS) Initiative Career Readiness Workshop Series. We are excited to meet you in person on June 8!

Narragansett Conference Room
Rhode Island Commerce
315 Iron Horse Way
Providence, RI 02908

• Parking available in Lots A–C at RI Commerce (no permit needed).
• Bus routes 92 and 56 depart from Kennedy Plaza; expect an 11–14 minute walk from the stop to RI Commerce.

Please sign in at the front desk upon arrival.
Program staff will be present to guide you to the Narragansett Conference Room, and signage will be posted to help you navigate to our space.

By attending, you agree to potentially appear in photos taken during the workshop.

If you do not wish to appear in photos, please email us or notify program staff upon arrival.

Please inform program staff of any allergies or accommodation needs in advance so we can support your participation.

If you have questions about accessibility or need specific support, reach out before the event so we can prepare accordingly.

🌱 About Workshop 1

During this first session, students will explore:

• Core definitions of environmental justice and energy equity from local, state, and federal perspectives.
• How EJ principles apply to Rhode Island communities through concrete local examples.
• How environmental justice and energy equity connect to your own internship experience and career values.

• Environmental Justice, Climate Justice, and Energy Justice—What Do They Mean? (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2025)
  https://www.ucs.org/resources/environmental-climate-and-energy-justice-what-do-they-mean
• ACEEE — Energy Equity
  https://www.aceee.org/topic/energy-equity

• Yale University — Principles of Environmental Justice (1991)
  https://energyhistory.yale.edu
• University of Michigan Center for Sustainable Systems — Environmental Justice Factsheet (2025)
  https://css.umich.edu

☎️ Important Contact Information

Please reach out to ECC staff for any questions about the pre-readings, arrival logistics, accomodation needs, and if you'd prefer not to be included in any photos.

ECC Staff:

• Esmeralda Bisono, Climate Resilience Manager: [email protected]
• Caroline Gracia, Economic Inclusion Project Coordinator: [email protected]

Please reach out to RI OER staff if you have any allergies.

RI OER Staff:

• Abigail Hasenfus, Chief of Program Development: [email protected]
• Savannah Goncalves, [email protected]

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