partnership form

This Agreement is entered into between the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (“MREA”) and "Partnering Organization” to define the relationship of parties as part of the “Rise Up Midwest” public education campaign. The MREA intends to engage partners that have an interest in advancing programs and policies that expand the energy efficiency and distributed energy market in Midwest states, creating widespread employment opportunities in rural and urban areas.

The MREA promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration. Together with partners around the Midwest, we work to expand renewable energy adoption through innovative programs, renewable energy training, and educational events. The MREA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Rise Up Midwest is a public education and call to action campaign to stimulate “Main Street” energy investment and grid modernization in response to the COVID-19 induced recession. Rise Up Midwest which is a coalition of businesses, individuals, organizations, jurisdictions, and workforce development partners working in coordination to create a groundswell of support for commonsense, strategic, and swift regional clean energy policy action and market development. The campaign includes a website, www.RiseUpMidwest.org, the Rise Up Podcast, a digital and print Call to Action publication, and a general coordination of public education and support for priority state, local, and utility clean energy programs and policies that work to improve and expand markets for home, business, and jurisdiction energy efficiency adoption and the widespread deployment of clean energy resources.

1. The Partnering Organization's name (with hyperlink) will be placed on http://RiseUpMidwest.org and the Rise Up Midwest T-shirt as a Partner in the public education campaign that includes a commitment to the principles listed below:

• We believe that we need swift and strategic state and local investment in clean energy and grid modernization. We need well-designed energy laws that increase investments in local clean energy. Solar energy, energy efficiency, and grid modernization are a feasible and cost-effective way to improve reliability and increase the economic development benefits of energy investments. Community participation in the decision-making processes will help ensure widespread ownership as investors and beneficiaries of local energy projects.
• We believe that our efforts must provide real and durable solutions that help resolve social and economic inequity. Clean energy work must prioritize opportunity, investment, and jobs for communities most in need. A local, clean energy response represents a clear opportunity to create a system that benefits everyone.
• We believe that the clean energy industry has the capacity to create significant local employment opportunities that contribute to a prosperous economy. Energy efficiency and distributed energy technologies are market-ready, cost-effective, affordable, and scalable in all market sectors. The transition to a clean and distributed energy system must prioritize transitioning energy jobs and developing new employment opportunities.
• We believe in working together to educate and engage the public, focusing on local and state actions to create the energy economy of the future. We believe that by working together, engaging the public with meaningful educational resources, avoiding partisanship, and focusing on local and state actions we can create market conditions that rapidly grow efficiency and distributed energy investments, create widespread employment opportunities, provide long-term utility rate-payer savings, reduce home and business energy expenses, and improve grid resiliency.
• We believe in the people of the Midwest and the places we live in and love. Rise Up Midwest

1. The MREA will send a digital Rise Up Midwest “Proud Partner” logo for optional use on partner website and digital communication.
2. The MREA shall not use the Partnering Organization name and/or logo in a way that is not specified in this agreement.
3. The MREA shall not associate the Partnering Organization name or logo with any specific policy statements or actions that arise from the public education campaign.
4. The MREA shall keep the Partnering Organization informed of all major public education campaign activities including significant changes to focus.
5. The MREA shall use the Rise Up Midwest public education resources to support partnering organization efforts that align with the campaign principles.