Overview

Held on February 4th, 2025 at Chase Community Center in The Bronx, NY, 25 community, government, utility, and task force leaders convened for The Carbon League (TCL)’s NYC Health, Energy & Equity Task Force Community Roundtable - The Bronx. This workshop, organized by TCL NYC Health, Energy & Equity Task Force Members, aimed to collaborate with select CBOs to address the challenge of expanding equitable energy assistance and access to clean energy in underserved communities, coordinating next steps for team organization, and determining how to best benefit the community, with a focus on connecting with stakeholder groups, identifying funding opportunities, and planning for a 90-day sprint to bridge resource gaps.

H.G. Chissell (The Carbon League, Advanced Energy Group), Sherlyn Santana (Chase Bank), and Dr. Diana Hernández (Columbia University) provided opening remarks, setting the stage for a critical discussion on energy equity in the Bronx. Dr. Hernández underscored the widespread energy insecurity in the region, highlighting unsafe heating practices, extreme temperatures, and the disproportionate health risks—including asthma and heat stress—faced by vulnerable communities.

Following these remarks, participants engaged with presentations across four key focus areas: Community Voices, Utility Perspectives, NYC Mayor’s Office Maps, and Grant Opportunities. Brandon Mohammed (ALIA), Alvi Khan (ALIA), and Tijay Mohammed (@artbytiyjay) represented Community Voices, emphasizing the need for community-led solutions to energy poverty. Mohammed advocated for long-term investments in clean energy equity, Khan called for policy reforms and landlord accountability to address NYC’s aging pre-war housing, and Mohammed used storytelling and art to inspire grassroots advocacy.

Franchesca Diaz (Con Edison) provided the Utility Perspective, detailing energy affordability programs, school bus electrification efforts in Zerega Avenue, and grant initiatives aimed at supporting climate resilience in underserved neighborhoods. Carlos Piedad (NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice) introduced the EJNYC Mapping Tool, a resource with 115 environmental data layers to track energy burden, flood risk, and infrastructure disparities, helping to guide policy and investment decisions. Antuan Cannon (Willdan) presented the Flourishing in Community grant program, offering up to $350,000 for environmental justice projects, including workforce development and public health initiatives.

Inspired by the above remarks and goals of the task force, participants agreed to move forward with the below next 90-day sprint:

“Organize a community roundtable with Fordham University to develop an artistic roadmap and further engage community leaders for possible grant funding, and create a report that outlines 1-3 key performance metrics for success that touch on health, wealth and energy.”

Original Critical Obstacle and first 90-day sprint, formed at the September 27th NYC Health, Energy and Equity Action Challenge - The Bronx at Columbia University during Climate Week NYC. The February 4th Roundtable marks the completion of the Task Force’s first 90-day sprint.

There are now 21 leaders who have committed to the Task Force to complete the above 90-day sprint and continue working towards the original critical obstacle.

Task Force Volunteers (some not pictured): Franchesca Diaz, Con Edison, Shaun Hoyte, Con Edison, Antuan Cannon, Willdan, Steve Joern, Willdan, Zak Suttile, Willdan, Edwin Mendez, NYCHA, Carlos Piedad, NYC MOCEJ, Lydia Wiener, NYC MOCEJ, Jeanette Castillo, NYC MOCEJ, Clotilde Monguya, C. MONGUYA Consulting, Edgar Aguirre, Bronx Community Board 11, Rahee Nerurkar, Montefiore Medical Center, Brandon Mohammed, ALIA Ltd., Alvi Khan, ALIA Ltd, Tijay Mohammed, Dr. Muennig, Stephen Richburg, BronxWorks,, Pedro Barry, Association for Energy Affordability, and Michael A. Nixon, Bronx Economic Development Corporation.

5 KEY THEMES

1. Energy Insecurity & Health Impacts

In neighborhoods like Tremont, where the Twin Parks North West fire occurred due to faulty heating, energy insecurity leads to unsafe heating practices, extreme indoor temperatures, and increased health risks such as asthma and heat stress.

“Over 10,000 residents from the Bronx complain of their home being too cold every year… while also not having access to air conditioners to deal with rising temperatures.” – Dr. Diana Hernández, Columbia University

2. Community-Centered Solutions & Workforce Development

The Zerega Avenue corridor, home to over 2,000 school buses, suffers from high air pollution levels, contributing to asthma rates 16 times higher than the rest of NYC; Con Edison is working to electrify school buses to reduce emissions and improve public health.

“Expanding clean energy and climate resilience will significantly improve public health, especially for communities with poor health outcomes, as they will experience reduced exposure to air pollution and extreme weather risks.” – Franchesca Diaz, Con Edison

3. Targeted Policy & Financial Support

Programs like Con Edison’s $3M grant to combat extreme heat and NYC’s energy affordability programs target renters in pre-war buildings across Fordham and Mott Haven, ensuring financial support reaches communities with high energy burdens.

“Flourishing in Community is a pivotal initiative under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker program… to foster growth and resilience in historically disadvantaged communities.” – Antuan Cannon, Willdan

4. Data-Driven Decision Making & Mapping Tools

The EJNYC Mapping Tool, which highlights energy burden and flood vulnerability, can help track housing conditions in Soundview and Hunts Point, identifying areas where clean energy investments can have the greatest impact.

“EJNYC Mapping Tool includes 115 data layers relevant to understanding environmental justice concerns, such as flood vulnerability and energy cost burden.” – Carlos Piedad, NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice

5. Collaboration & Advocacy for Systemic Change

In the Bronx's rent-stabilized and Section 8 housing, where tenants have little control over building upgrades, advocacy groups are pushing for landlord accountability and clean energy retrofits to improve housing stability and affordability.

“NYC’s pre-war housing stock presents a stark reality—renters lack energy-efficient options, while landlords avoid necessary upgrades.” – Alvi Khan, ALIA Ltd., calling for policy action to address systemic energy injustices

Conclusion

The NYC Health, Energy & Equity Task Force Community Roundtable – The Bronx brought together key stakeholders to address systemic barriers to clean energy access and energy affordability in historically disadvantaged communities. The roundtable emphasized the need to combat energy insecurity by investing in equitable electrification, enhancing workforce development, and expanding financial assistance programs to reduce the energy cost burden on low-income households. Key themes included leveraging data-driven tools like the EJNYC Mapping Tool to prioritize high-need areas, implementing policy solutions to improve tenant protections in pre-war housing, and fostering community-led advocacy to drive clean energy adoption. As volunteer leaders embark on a 90-day sprint and a 12-month objective, their collective efforts will be instrumental in ensuring a just energy transition that prioritizes affordability, resilience, and sustainability for Bronx communities.

For the list of participating stakeholders who are aligned on tackling this critical obstacle and next 90 day sprint, please visit here.