Students conducted focus groups, interviews, and a survey to capture how area youth think about electricity production and to understand their priorities in the future. Almost 500 high school-age students participated in the different engagement methodologies, and analysis of collected data highlighted key priorities, trends, and opportunities. Additionally, a lesson plan and strategy were developed to enable long-term engagement with youth beyond the scope of this study.

Outcome

Findings were delivered to the Utilities Policy Advisory Committee as a component of a comprehensive planning process. Results were subsequently used to support the weighing of different factors (cost, environmental impact, reliability, innovation etc.) in scenario planning, and also to support the ultimate adoption of a planned energy portfolio that will reduce carbon emissions from electricity generation by 90% by 2050.