Working at the intersection of policy, community engagement and environmental planning, Kate Robeson-Grubb, sustainability specialist for Solebury Township, is helping translate climate goals into on-the-ground action. Through managing an energy transition plan, collaborating with residents and supporting student partnerships, Robeson-Grubb’s work highlights how local governments can drive meaningful sustainability progress at the community level.

In 2025, Robeson-Grubb was honored with the Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award in Energy and Sustainability Policy (ESP) and Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems (RESS).

(This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.)

Can you tell us about your path to sustainability and what first drew you to the field?

I would say the thing that really intrigued me at first with sustainability and policy was when I was in my junior year of high school, in 2013. I took an AP Biology course, and the teacher I had was great. She did a unit on climate change—at the time, not in the political sense we see today, but focused on how the climate is shifting and how that affects agriculture and ecosystems.

It was more of an introduction to the science and how it impacts the natural world. I remember thinking, “Why is all of this happening?” That led me to start researching more on my own. Over time, I realized this was something that seemed to be getting worse, but also something I found really interesting—that humanity can have such a significant impact on Earth systems that seem like they should be untouchable.

That curiosity evolved into wanting to pursue this professionally and work toward building a better future where we can mitigate and adapt to these conditions. I also had an interest in political science, so I started thinking about how policy could provide structure and accountability, rather than relying solely on individual behavior changes. That’s how I landed on sustainability in the context of policy.

You were working full-time before enrolling in Penn State World Campus. What motivated that transition?

I spent about 11 years working in the market research industry as a research assistant. I was managing projects, working with qualitative and quantitative data and doing analysis. Those skills translated well into what I’m doing now, so it wasn’t a difficult shift in that sense.

I enjoyed the work and the people I worked with, but it wasn’t something I felt passionate about. Once I realized I wanted to get into sustainability, community development and policy, I knew I needed to build that capacity.

That’s when I found Penn State’s Energy and Sustainability Policy program and decided to pursue it so I could make that transition into the field.

What parts of the ESP program stood out most to you?

I was really happy with the curriculum. It gave us an introductory level of energy engineering so we could understand renewable energy systems and energy procurement, but I also loved the policy side, where we took deep dives into U.S. and global energy and environmental policy, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

I also appreciated the human side of sustainability, the social science and ethics component. It’s hard to pick one favorite area, but the courses on climate mitigation and adaptation stood out the most because they provided concrete strategies and practices that we could actually implement.

Can you walk us through your current role and what a typical day looks like?

I work in local government for Solebury Township in Bucks County, and my day-to-day is never really the same. There are three main parts of my job.

The first is daily operations: taking phone calls, helping residents and handling administrative work.

The second is managing the implementation of the township’s energy transition plan, which the Board of Supervisors adopted in 2022. It’s a roadmap for reaching 100% renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy across sectors by 2050, and I work on both the administrative and community-facing aspects of that.

The third is working with volunteer advisory committees, including the Environmental Advisory Council and its Sustainability Subcommittee. I’ll also be administering a committee developing a master plan for a retired quarry that will eventually become a public park.

So it’s a mix of operations, long-term planning and community engagement.

How do you balance long-term sustainability planning with day-to-day responsibilities?

My previous career in the market research industry really helped me develop the skills I needed to manage several projects at one time. It does get busy, but overall, the staff here is very collaborative, so I’m not always doing things strictly on my own. There’s a very good team environment where we all step in and help each other as needed.

The volunteers who make up the advisory committees also do a lot of work on their own time, without compensation, to help support these efforts, which makes a big difference. So I’m never just shouldering everything on my own, and that really helps with time management.

We also use platforms like Google Drive and shared calendars to keep everything organized, and in the past few years we’ve transitioned to being fully digital. Having that framework in place really helps keep things manageable.

What does progress toward climate goals look like at the local level?

On the ground, it looks like tracking progress across short-, mid- and long-term projects. A good example is a recent project where the Board of Supervisors authorized the purchase of a solar array that will go on the roof of our public works garage and offset about 99% of the electricity use at the municipal complex.

That process took about two years, because the Board is very thoughtful about how taxpayer funds are used, so it required a lot of research and cost-benefit analysis before they were comfortable moving forward. That’s a good example of a project that aligns with the energy transition plan and has now been achieved.

We also look at progress in terms of partnerships. Since I’ve been hired, I’ve worked with Penn State students through internships and capstone projects, and that collaboration helps move our work forward. Being able to maintain and expand those partnerships is another way we measure progress.

What have you learned about communicating sustainability to different audiences?

When it comes to communicating on the community level, I’ve learned that people are generally receptive, but the way you present information really matters. It’s important to start with facts and present things as neutrally as possible, without bringing in political bias.

You also want to avoid messaging that feels like it’s trying to scare people into action, because that doesn’t tend to be effective. Instead, it’s about meeting people where they are.

For many residents, their primary concerns are immediate—things like rising electricity costs, flooding or damage to their property. So you frame conversations around those concerns and explain how certain actions can help address those issues, while also contributing to climate mitigation and sustainable development more broadly.

What does the “human side” of sustainability look like in practice?

For me, that means interacting with residents in a way that feels personal and approachable. I’m not an elected official, so I’m not trying to represent a political position. I’m an employee of the township, and part of my role is to be community-forward.

That means showing up, engaging with people and making it clear that I care about the same things they care about. It’s about building relationships where residents see you as a person who lives in the community and wants to work together, rather than just as a government figure.

What are some of the most meaningful conversations you’ve had with community members?

Some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had were with residents who have lived in the community for a long time. They’ll come in with questions about a project, and we end up talking about what the community used to look like—what it was like 50 years ago, how land has changed over time, and how different areas have been preserved or developed.

Those conversations have been really valuable because they give me a much deeper understanding of the community itself, not just from a planning perspective, but from a human perspective.

How do you make complex sustainability topics more accessible?

I focus on visuals and accessibility—creating infographics and educational materials that aren’t too text-heavy. Many people are interested in these topics, but technical language can feel like a barrier.

We also host webinars and public forums where professionals present information in a way that’s easier to understand, and people can engage directly. Using visuals, real-life examples and relatable concepts helps make the information more accessible.

What role do local governments play in advancing sustainability?

Local governments are critical because they operate at a scale where they can be more flexible and responsive. While they may have fewer resources than larger levels of government, they also tend to face fewer bureaucratic barriers.

They’re working with a smaller group of constituents and planning at a community scale, which allows them to tailor solutions to the specific characteristics and needs of that community.

What does success in local sustainability work look like to you?

It’s more of a snowball effect than a single large action. Success comes from a series of smaller wins—like ordinances, renewable energy projects, community programs and public engagement efforts—that build over time.

All of those smaller efforts working together are what move a community toward long-term sustainability goals.

What advice would you give to students or young professionals who want to make a tangible impact?

I would say just start engaging, and it doesn’t have to be at a large scale. You can organize a cleanup, attend public meetings or get involved with your local government.

Most municipalities have websites where they post meeting agendas and information about projects, so you can stay informed and participate. You can also connect with local businesses, ask about sustainability practices, or organize community initiatives.

There’s a lot you can do depending on your interests and capacity. It might seem overwhelming at first, but even small actions can help build momentum and make a meaningful impact over time.