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Samantha Smithies

Samantha Smithies

Project Coordinator

California Center for Sustainable Communities at UCLA

La Kretz Hall, Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Campus Mailcode: 149606

Pronouns: she/her

Samantha Smithies is the CCSC project coordinator.

A UCLA graduate, she’s committed to advancing sustainable, equitable, and resilient communities through environmental justice and planning work. Prior to joining CCSC, she served as a UC President’s Climate Action Fellow and worked with the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.

Her previous projects include a study on the integration of environmental justice in California local planning under SB 1000; UCLA’s inaugural climate resilience plan; pilot campus engagement and planning strategies; California’s general plan reporting requirements; and California’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing mandate.

Outside of work, Samantha is passionate about getting involved with her community, from serving on the Albany, CA Climate Action Committee to the North Westwood Neighborhood Council.

Projects

Gas Stove burning

Mindful Gas Decommissioning

California’s goal of decarbonizing the state’s energy sector by 2045 requires an accompanying strategic approach to the decommissioning of the extensive gas infrastructure, currently comprising over 11 million meters and spanning more than 100,000 miles.

Solar Installation

LADWP – LA100 Equity Strategies Initiative

CCSC, in collaboration with UCLA Sustainable Grand Challenge LA, and other Campus researchers are conducting research for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to help the city achieve its goal of producing all of its energy from carbon-free and renewable energy sources by 2035 and doing so in ways that benefit all Angelenos equitably.

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Equitable Electrification of Existing Buildings: A Pathway to Decarbonization

What’s involved when someone wants to electrify an existing home or multi-family building? Often times, a homeowner or landlord experiences unexpected complications when trying to retrofit their building. This study will assess the equity implications and costs of electrification for priority populations living and working in existing buildings.