NC Interfaith Power & Light

A Hope-Filled Response to Climate Change

Menu
  • Home
  • Blog
      • Fair Share NowNCIPL Director’s Letter to the White House on Climate Action
      • FairShareNDC webinarU.S. Climate Fair Share (NDC) Nationally Determined Contribution during COP29
      • Screenshot 2024-09-18 at 2.52.15 PMSolar Financing Webinar For Congregations
      • Solar Solstice Success StoriesShare Your Solar Story
      • HB 488 (1)North Carolinians Deserve Updated Building Codes!
    • Close
  • Overview
    • Overview, Mission & History
    • Leadership Team
    • Partners
    • Contact
    • Close
  • Programs
    • Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Initiatives
    • Worship – Earth Sabbath
    • Faith in Action – Advocacy
    • Youth Leaders Initiative
    • Close
  • Resources
    • Resource Tree
    • All Free Downloads
    • Advocacy Toolkit
    • Lending Library
    • Success Stories – Share Your Journey
    • Close
  • Subscribe
  • Donate
  • NC Council of Churches

Clean Energy Can Help Tackle Rural Poverty

February 23, 2016

By MICHAEL REGAN | Published: FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Growing up in eastern North Carolina was a great experience. Wayne County was my home, and I spent many weekends fishing for bass and hunting quail with my father on the family farm in nearby Bladen County. The time outdoors was great for character building, and visiting with relatives, friends, and elders in the community was equally important for understanding my heritage and the challenges my parents overcame.

You see, Bladen County is classified as a “persistent poverty county” by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, meaning the poverty rate has exceeded 20 percent of the population for the last 30 years. More than 25 percent of Bladen residents live in poverty. My family, friends, and elders were no exceptions. Despite the struggles, the personal connection to the land, water, and wildlife nourished and empowered the farming community.

When I joined Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) eight years ago, I seized the opportunity to find inclusive solutions to environmental problems. I started hunting for two different kinds of game: first, diversifying the traditional definition of environmental leadership and second, increasing access to clean, affordable energy for everyone. The two go hand-in-hand. Let me explain.

Click Here to read full article on EDF’s blog page.

Michael Regan

NCIPL partners with EDF Southeast Office on Clean Energy & Climate Justice issues.

Filed Under: Blog, Uncategorized

Recent Articles

  • NCIPL Director’s Letter to the White House on Climate Action
  • U.S. Climate Fair Share (NDC) Nationally Determined Contribution during COP29
  • Solar Financing Webinar For Congregations
  • Pilgrim United Church of Christ
  • Trinity Presbyterian Church – Hendersonville, NC
  • Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
  • Peace United Church of Christ
  • Epworth United Methodist Church

Copyright © 2025 NCIPL • Last updated: February 18, 2025 • Website by Tomatillo Design