Colin Hagan, 2007 Fellow

Project Summary
Colin spent his fellowship year researching and writing a "South Carolina Guide to Climate Change." Primarily mentored by Jennifer Rennicks at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Colin also collaborated with other community leaders and conservation organizations in South Carolina, including Upstate Forever, the Coastal Conservation League, and the Conservation Voters of South Carolina. In preparing to write the guide, he traveled across South Carolina meeting with community members, policy makers, scientists, and others to determine how to make the document as useful and as accurate as possible. Colin gave more than 20 public presentations to audiences totaling more than 2,000. The guide is available online at www.scclimatechange.org. Colin also lent his time and effort to working with an informal coalition to prevent the construction of a dirty, pulverized coal plant in a rural corner of South Carolina. He helped organize communities, conduct research, and otherwise implement a campaign to stop the plant. (The fight is still ongoing...learn more at www.cleanenergysc.com) Finally, a significant portion of Colin's fellowship year was spent advocating for clean energy and climate action during the 2008 Presidential Primaries. With the first primary in the South and the third primary in the nation, South Carolina received abundant attention from the dozen or so candidates and national media outlets alike. Working mostly with the League of Conservation Voters' "Heat is On" campaign, Colin and a coalition of "Global Coolers" in South Carolina used this historic opportunity to elevate climate change to a top concern in the campaigns. The coalition led a visible effort to confront candidates about climate and energy issues, including meeting with some of the candidates, attending many campaign events, and holding several rallies and other actions at the debates and throughout the campaigns.

Personal Profile:
Colin graduated from Furman University with a degree in Political Science and English. He is currently the Federal Policy Associate at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. His role includes tracking federal climate and energy policy, with a particular focus on dirty fuels. Colin deferred his acceptance to law school in order to complete the fellowship and was granted an extension until 2009.

Interests:
Spending time outdoors, English literature, current events, political theory, music, good food, and relaxation.

Currently resides in:
Greenville, South Carolina

Website:
www.cleanenergy.org

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