Dominic Coccia, an Environmental Economics major and recent UCSC graduate, will join nineteen other students from across the country in August at the Recharge! Retreat on Oregon’s Mount Hood, focusing on renewable energy.
He and 19 other young leaders were chosen from a large pool of applicants and placed in one of four categories – Technician, Innovator, Politico, or Storyteller. Coccia was selected for the “Politico”category.
“I’m looking forward to working with other individuals with similar core beliefs but entirely different skill sets,” Coccia said.
Focus the Nation, a national non-profit organization, recognized these young minds as top rising leaders in the sustainable energy sector.
Coccia and his team will hike Elliot Glacier, which has lost 60 percent of its snowpack since 1982; tour the Boardman Coal Plant, scheduled to close by 2020; visit the Dalles Dam, located on the Columbia River and producing hydropower since 1957; and visit Biglow Canyon Wind Farm, which powers 125,000 homes in rural Oregon.
When the twenty leaders return home, they will put what they learned at the retreat to use on their campus and in their communities. By doing so, they will be able to promote sustainable energy solutions.
Focus the Nation created ReCharge! in collaboration with The Center for Whole Communities to address the need for rising leaders to approach energy challenges with innovative ideas and fortitude throughout their careers.
ReCharge! is sponsored by Bonneville Power Administration, EDP Renewables, KEEN Footwear, and Portland General Electric. Since 2008, the organization has helped more than 300,000 young people have dialogues with business and elected leaders about energy solutions.
