KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Keene’s push toward renewable energy and climate resilience was the focus of a recent call from Energy and Climate Committee Chair Gordon Leversee on What’s Happening this past Saturday on WKBK.

Leversee, who is in his first year as chair of the city’s Energy and Climate Committee, spoke about his background in energy systems, his path to public service in Keene, and the committee’s role in shaping local policy and outreach efforts.

During the conversation, Leversee reflected on his early experiences working with energy infrastructure and living off the grid, which helped shape his long-standing interest in sustainability and energy independence. He later brought that perspective to Keene, where he spent decades at Keene State College before joining the city’s Energy and Climate Committee after retiring.

The committee, a longstanding advisory group to the city, plays a key role in advancing Keene’s energy goals, including a target of reaching 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and fully renewable energy use by 2050. Leversee described those goals as ambitious but necessary, emphasizing the importance of long-term planning.

“In 2019 the city of Keene set some goals on energy… Clearly, these are aspirational goals. My experience, you need to have a vision or long-term goal,” he said.

Leversee outlined the committee’s work, which includes tracking state legislation, promoting energy efficiency, and helping the city prepare for the impacts of climate change. He noted that the group is divided into three main areas: policy, outreach and education, and resilience.

He also pointed to tangible progress already underway, including multiple municipal solar arrays that together generate enough electricity to offset most of the city’s government energy use.

“The City of Keene generates 2.4 million kilowatts of solar every year, which offsets the majority of the City of Keene’s municipal electric needs,” Leversee said.

In addition to local projects, Leversee discussed broader initiatives such as the state’s C-PACER financing program, which allows commercial property owners to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades through long-term property assessments.

The conversation also touched on pending state legislation related to group net metering, as well as upcoming community events where residents can learn more about energy and sustainability efforts.

Leversee encouraged residents to get involved, noting that the committee’s monthly meetings are open to the public and that community participation is essential to meeting the city’s long-term goals.

“You need good people… to be part of this, to jump in and help us out,” he said.