2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Roosevelt Room, Ballroom Level
Discussion Session: Inflation Reduction Act Assistance on Building Energy Code Adoption (By Invitation Only)
This discussion session will focus on the needs of the State and Territory Energy Offices to implement Section 50131 of the Inflation Reduction Act, Assistance for Latest and Zero Building Energy Code Adoption, which provides $1 billion to the states through the U.S. State Energy Program. This session will provide participating State Energy Directors an opportunity to discuss program design elements to make the program most valuable to their state.
Moderators
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Jeffrey Genzer, General Counsel, National Association of State Energy Officials
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Ed Carley, Senior Program Director, Buildings, National Association of State Energy Officials
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
NASEO Concurrent Regional Meetings: Braiding Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act Opportunities for Implementation (NASEO State, Territory, and Affiliate Members Only)
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Lindens Room, Third Floor
Central Regional Meeting
Moderators
-
Dan Lloyd, Bureau Chief, Energy Office, Montana Department of Environmental Quality
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Eddy Trevino, Director, State Energy Conservation Office, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Potomac Room, Third Floor
Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting
Moderators
-
David Althoff Jr., Director, Energy Programs Office, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
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Karen Lasure, Energy Development Specialist, Office of Energy, West Virginia Department of Economic Development
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Longworth Room, Ballroom Level
Midwest Regional Meeting
Moderators
-
Chad Kruse, Manager, Office of Energy, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
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Michelle Gransee, Deputy Commissioner, Energy Resources Division, Minnesota Department of Commerce
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Wilson Room, Third Floor
Northeast Regional Meeting
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Roosevelt Room, Ballroom Level
Southeast Regional Meeting
Moderator
-
Molly Cripps, Director, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Decatur Room, Ballroom Level
Western Regional Meeting
Moderator
-
Michael Furze, Assistant Director, Energy Division, Washington State Department of Commerce
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM
Roosevelt Room, Ballroom Level
NASEO Board of Directors Meeting (NASEO State, Territory, and Affiliate Members Only)
NASEO's Board of Directors meeting will cover NASEO policy, program, and financial updates, as well as a review of NASEO’s annual independent audit.
Presenters
-
David Terry, President, National Association of State Energy Officials
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John Williams, Executive Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
6:00 PM - 6:15 PM
Roosevelt Room, Ballroom Level
NASEO Business Meeting (NASEO State, Territory, and Affiliate Members Only)
NASEO’s organizational Business Meeting includes a vote to update NASEO’s Bylaws and elect the Executive Officers of the Board of Directors. Only State, Territory, and District of Columbia Energy Office Members may vote on organizational business matters.
Presenters
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David Terry, President, National Association of State Energy Officials
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John Williams, Executive Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Wednesday
8
February 2023
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Welcome and Opening Remarks
This opening session sets the stage for our conference.
Presenters
-
David Terry, President, National Association of State Energy Officials
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John Williams, Executive Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
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Nick Burger, Deputy Director, Energy Administration, District Department of Energy and Environment
8:15 AM - 8:45 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Leadership in Clean Energy and Economic Growth: The Role of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is working to build a clean energy economy through work in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation. This session will outline specific priorities for EERE over the next year and ways to engage State Energy Offices in this effort.
Moderator
-
Molly Cripps, Director, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Presenter
-
Alejandro Moreno, Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
8:45 AM - 9:15 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Priorities: Creating the Electric Grid of the Future
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is focused on enhancing the electric transmission grid to enable a resilient, clean, and affordable electricity sector. This session will explore specific priorities for FERC Commissioner Allison Clements over the next year, such as the deployment of grid-enhancing technologies, and ways to engage State Energy Offices in this effort.
Moderator
-
John Williams, Executive Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Washington Playbook: Appropriations, Legislation, Executive Actions, and Market and Community Impacts
Over the past two years, the U.S. Congress has ushered billions of dollars in investment toward clean energy and climate programs and projects, including through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and others. In this panel discussion, join experts to understand how these investments will play out at the state and local level, steps State Energy Offices can take to ensure benefits reach those greatest in need, and expectations for more clean energy and climate actions from the 118th Congress.
Moderator
-
Janani Shankaran, Federal Policy Advisor, Office of the Director, District Department of Energy and Environment
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Grid Resilience and Investment: From Transmission to Distributed Energy Resources
Comprehensive grid resilience is challenging and interconnected. At the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Grid Deployment Office and the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response have been tasked with enhancing grid resilience and security, from bulk power and transmission to cybersecurity for distributed energy resources, respectively. A key component of this mission is to support state-led resilience investments and energy security planning. This session will highlight DOE’s approach to providing grid resilience support and technical assistance to State Energy Offices.
Presenters
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Maria Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office, U.S. Department of Energy
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Puesh Kumar, Director, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Energy
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Advancing Clean Energy Abundance: Innovation, Affordability, and Climate Action
In its role coordinating billions of dollars of investments and programs across the energy sector, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has placed an important emphasis on technology deployment, state and local partnerships, and equity. In this discussion, join Deputy Secretary of Energy Turk for an exploration of the avenues for collaboration and coordination between DOE and State Energy Offices.
Moderator
-
Jason Lanclos, Director, Technology Assessment Division, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
White House Office of Management and Budget: Outlook and Priorities (Session Closed to Media)
This session discusses the priorities of the White House Office of Management and Budget on key Biden Administration budget and appropriations topics, as well as Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act implementation issues.
Presenter
-
Dr. Candace Vahlsing, Associate Director for Climate, Energy, Environment, and Science, Office of Management and Budget, The White House
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Colonnade Room, Lobby Level
Long Duration Energy Storage: Disruptive Implications for Planners and Investors (Keynote Luncheon)
Moderator
-
Karen Lasure, Energy Development Specialist, Office of Energy, West Virginia Department of Economic Development
Presenter
-
Ted Wiley, Co-Founder, President, and Chief Operating Officer, Form Energy
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Infrastructure Implementation Ideas and Solutions (Concurrent Breakout Sessions)
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Ballroom II, Ballroom Level
1-Innovative Transmission Solutions: Use of Highway Right-of-Way and Grid Enhancing Technologies to Create a More Resilient and Cleaner Grid
To enhance resilience and integrate additional clean energy into the electricity system, the nation’s existing transmission lines will have to become more efficient and additional transmission projects will have to be deployed. This session will examine grid enhancing technology options, explore the potential for adding clean energy and new transmission lines to existing highway rights-of-way, and outline the role of State Energy Offices in both.
Moderator
-
Dan Lloyd, Bureau Chief, Energy Office, Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Presenters
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Laura Rogers, Deputy Director, The Ray
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David Townley, Director of Public Policy, CTC Global Corporation
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Jessica Oh, Strategic Partnerships Director, Sustainability and Public Health Office, Sustainability, Planning, and Program Management Division, Minnesota Department of Transportation
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Hilary Pearson, Vice President, Policy and External Affairs, LineVision
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Randy Satterfield, Executive Director, NextGen Highways
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Ballroom I, Ballroom Level
2-The Future of America’s Energy Workforce: Moving the Discussion to Action
The transition to a clean energy economy will require an expanded, well-trained, and diverse workforce. New programs, grants, and incentives made available by recent federal investments will increase demand for qualified workers, underscoring the need to bolster training programs, diversify recruitment strategies, and ensure job quality. This session will highlight innovative ways states can foster partnerships, leverage existing workforce systems, and take advantage of federal funding to help grow a more inclusive energy workforce.
Moderator
-
Carrie Hearne, Associate Director, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Virginia Department of Energy
Presenters
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Kerry Campbell, Environmental Program Manager, Energy Programs Office, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
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Daryl Wright, Chief Strategy Officer, Emerald Cities Collaborative
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Lisa Brown, Senior Director, Municipal Infrastructure and Smart Communities, Johnson Controls
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Roosevelt Room, Ballroom Level
3-Combining U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Energy Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act Investments to Achieve Great Outcomes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a number of sources of capital aimed at promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy investment in rural and agricultural communities. By leveraging these capital sources in conjunction with funding opportunities through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, states can provide significant investment to rural communities looking to make deep retrofits to their facilities. Speakers will discuss how states can braid these funding streams together to enact programs that can effectively reach rural communities.
Moderator
-
Brian Selinger, Director, Energy Office, Iowa Economic Development Authority
Presenters
-
Tony Morgan, Deputy Director, Office of Energy, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
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Julie Kempf, Policy Analyst, Indiana Office of Energy Development
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Courtney Haynes, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, U.S. Department of Energy
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John McAuliff, Climate Policy Advisor, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Ballroom Foyer, Ballroom Level
Break
3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
NASEO Concurrent Committee Meetings
3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Ballroom II, Ballroom Level
NASEO Electricity Committee: Options for Distribution Planning and Renewable Energy Siting
Join the NASEO Electricity Committee for an in-depth discussion on distribution planning and renewable energy siting. This session will explore how State Energy Offices are facing new mandatory requirements to engage in transmission and distribution planning and state efforts and coordination with local governments to streamline and expedite renewable energy siting, permitting, and zoning.
Moderators
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Janine Benner, Director, Oregon Department of Energy
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Chris Yunker, Managing Director, Resiliency, Clean Transportation and Analytics, Hawaii State Energy Office
Presenters
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Dan Burgess, Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office
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Ed Gilliland, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives, Interstate Renewable Energy Council
3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Roosevelt Room, Ballroom Level
NASEO Energy Equity Committee: Identifying Equity Metrics for U.S. Department of Energy Funding Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Energy will present updates on the development of equity metrics and will walk attendees through a mock application process highlighting tools that State Energy Offices can employ to choose equity metrics for funding applications and project reporting. This session is open to all conference attendees.
Moderators
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Michelle Gransee, Deputy Commissioner, Energy Resources Division, Minnesota Department of Commerce
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Michael Furze, Assistant Director, Energy Division, Washington State Department of Commerce
Presenters
-
James Strange, Consultant, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, U.S. Department of Energy
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Dr. Anjuli Jain Figueroa, Chief Scientist, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, U.S. Department of Energy
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Monisha Shah, Equity Lead, U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
3:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Ballroom I, Ballroom Level
NASEO Energy Security Committee Cyber and Physical Security Strategy Session: Protecting Against Manmade Threats
Join the NASEO Energy Security Committee for a discussion on physical and cybersecurity threats, risk assessments, and actions that State Energy Offices can consider. This session will feature insights from federal officials, law enforcement, and industry partners and will provide an opportunity for collaborative planning discussion.
Moderator
-
Ben Bolton, Senior Energy Programs Administrator, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Presenters
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Brandi Martin, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Energy
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Megan Levy, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Project Manager, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Energy
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Kristen Worosz, Policy and Partnerships Advisor, Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center
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Audrey Bragg, Director of Policy, E4TheFuture
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Matt Kelly, Director, Energy Markets, ICF
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Colonnade Room, Lobby Level
Welcome Reception
8:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Hydropower and Grid Reliability
The transition to a clean energy grid powered increasingly by variable renewable generation creates new challenges for reliability and resilience. With over 100 Gigawatts of existing hydropower and pumped storage capacity already on the grid, this session will focus on how this carbon-free resource can help balance variable renewables and offer essential grid resources. This session will also address the upcoming wave of hydropower plants up for relicensing by 2035 and its potential impact on grid reliability.
Moderator
-
Alan Zelenka, Assistant Director for Planning and Innovation, Oregon Department of Energy
Presenter
-
Malcolm Woolf, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Hydropower Association
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
U.S. House of Representatives: Legislative and Appropriations Priorities
In this discussion, U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko will discuss legislative and appropriations priorities in the U.S. Congress, the outlook for energy policy action in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the potential implications for the State and Territory Energy Offices.
Moderator
-
John Williams, Executive Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
U.S. Senate: Energy Policy Priorities and Legislative Outlook
Join U.S. Senator Angus King for a discussion of U.S. Senate energy policy priorities and “what’s next” for clean energy and climate policy on Capitol Hill.
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Advanced Nuclear Reactors: Status, Near-Term Use Cases, and State Opportunities
The research, development, and deployment (RD&D) of advanced nuclear reactors is accelerating through a combination of local, state, federal, and private sector activity moving regulation, policy, innovation, and programs forward. This session will examine how the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) is supporting these efforts and share information on how NE and State Energy Offices can coordinate on nuclear RD&D that aligns with state goals around decarbonization, resiliency, and workforce.
Moderator
-
Greg Todd, Director, Utah Office of Energy Development
Presenter
-
Alison Hahn, Director, Office of Nuclear Deployment, Reactor Fleet and Advanced Reactor Deployment Office, Office of Nuclear, U.S. Department of Energy
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Ballroom Foyer, Ballroom Level
Networking Break
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Leadership in Clean Energy and Economic Growth: All of the Above Decarbonization
As the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) at the U.S. Department of Energy aims to minimize the environmental impacts of fossil fuels while working towards net-zero emissions, this session will explore specific priorities for the office over the next year and ways to engage State Energy Offices in this effort. Overlapping priority areas for FECM and states include carbon capture, transport, storage, and use; the role of hydrogen with carbon management; methane emissions reduction; critical mineral production; and carbon dioxide removal, while improving the conditions of communities impacted by the legacy of fossil fuel use and supporting an energy transition that accelerates economic and job growth.
Moderator
-
Jason Lanclos, Director, Technology Assessment Division, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Presenter
-
Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary, Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, U.S. Department of Energy
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Planning for Economic Growth and Affordability with a Panoply of 10-Year Federal Tax Benefits
Moderator
-
Eddy Trevino, Director, State Energy Conservation Office, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Presenters
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Curtis Thayer, Executive Director, Alaska Energy Authority
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Vincent Barnes, Senior Vice President, Policy and Research, Alliance to Save Energy
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Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Environment and Energy: U.S. Environmental Protection Priorities for 2023
Environment and Energy: U.S. Environmental Protection Priorities for 2023
In this session, join U.S. Environmental Protection Agency leadership for a glimpse into the billions of dollars of financing and funding the Agency will direct to zero-emissions projects, air quality improvements, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions efforts in the coming years.
Moderator
-
Sushma Masemore, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Environment and State Energy Director, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Presenter
-
Janet McCabe, Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Colonnade Room, Lobby Level
Keynote Luncheon
During this session, John Podesta, Senior Advisor to President Biden for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation at the White House, will discuss the role of federal, state, and local governments in shepherding hundreds of billions of dollars in investments to tackle the climate crisis, improve national security, and support economic growth and development.
Presenter
-
John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation, The White House
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
NASEO Concurrent Committee Meetings
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Ballroom II, Ballroom Level
NASEO Buildings Committee: Codes, Standards, and the Role of Buildings in a Low-Carbon Economy
This discussion-oriented session will explore a variety of themes, including energy-efficient manufactured housing; building energy codes; community decarbonization; the integration of distributed energy resources and demand flexibility in building emissions reduction policies; and opportunities for state-local collaboration on resilience, energy affordability, decarbonization, and equity.
Moderator
-
Julie Staveland, Manager Sustainability Section, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Presenters
-
Amy Royden-Bloom, Program Manager, Residential Building Program, Building Technologies, U.S. Department of Energy
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Ashley Armstrong, IRA Management Expert and Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Energy
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Elliot Seibert, Implementation Manager, ENERGY STAR Certified Homes, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Roosevelt Room, Ballroom Level
NASEO Financing Committee: New Trends in Energy Financing
This session will convene NASEO’s Financing Committee to continue discussions on the revolving loan funds (RLFs) State Energy Offices will establish as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and learn about best practices for new trends in low- to moderate-income (LMI) solar financing and Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs). States will discuss current progress on their RLF applications and learn about new ways to leverage public and private capital to finance LMI community solar. States will also learn about a new ESPC training series being offered by the Federal Energy Management Program from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Committee Chairs
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Eddy Trevino, Director, State Energy Conservation Office, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
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Robyn Reyes-Boyle, Energy Resource Professional, Energy Office, Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Presenters
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David Althoff Jr., Director, Energy Programs Office, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
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Grady Bailey, Southwest Regional Manager, Smart-E Loan Program, Inclusive Prosperity Capital
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Skye Schell, Supervisor, Procurement Services, Performance Contracting, and Energy Generation, Federal Energy Management Program, U.S. Department of Energy
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Ballroom I, Ballroom Level
NASEO Transportation Committee: Freight Electrification, Grid Integration, and Supply Chain Considerations for the Electric Vehicle Sector
This meeting of the NASEO Transportation Committee will feature: insights from State Energy Offices, U.S. Department of Energy representatives, and others on how State Energy Offices can play a role in the build-out of medium- and heavy-duty charging infrastructure to support freight electrification; current resources available to support grid integration planning for electric vehicles; and a discussion on how supply chain disruptions are impacting clean transportation program design and implementation, and what states can do about it.
Committee Chair
-
Alexa Voytek, Deputy Director, Programs, Innovation and Transportation, Communications, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Ballroom Foyer, Ballroom Level
Break
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Public-Private Roundtable on Residential Energy Efficiency and Beneficial Electrification: Nine Billion Reasons to Collaborate
The state co-chairs of the NASEO Residential Energy Efficiency and Beneficial Electrification Task Force will lead a discussion among state, federal, and private-sector partners on the implementation of the home energy rebates established in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Presenters
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John Williams, Executive Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
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Dr. Andrew McAllister, Commissioner, California Energy Commission
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Michelle Gransee, Deputy Commissioner, Energy Resources Division, Minnesota Department of Commerce
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Dan Burgess, Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office
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Michael Forrester, Principal Deputy Director, Office of State and Community Energy Programs, U.S. Department of Energy
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David Terry, President, National Association of State Energy Officials
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Curt Rich, President and Chief Executive Officer, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
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Kara Saul Rinaldi, President and Chief Executive Officer, AnnDyl Policy Group, LLC
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s $5 Billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program (Session Closed to Media)
The Inflation Reduction Act’s establishment of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program represents a significant opportunity for EPA to support the development of climate action plans and the implementation of investment-ready policies, programs, and projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term. This session will provide an overview of the opportunity and identify ways in which State Energy Offices can help lead GHG reduction planning under grants in their state.
Moderator
-
David Terry, President, National Association of State Energy Officials
Presenter
-
Jennifer Macedonia, Associate Deputy Assistant Administrator for Implementation, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
8:15 AM - 9:00 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Planning with Purpose: State Energy Planning to Meet Climate, Economic Development, and Resiliency Goals
Comprehensive state energy plans offer routes by which State Energy Offices can plan to meet Governor and legislatively-directed state energy goals. This session will discuss best practices in state energy planning and how states can use energy planning to prepare for upcoming funding opportunities through the IIJA and IRA. Speakers will also discuss how energy plans are enabling them to achieve GHG reduction and energy resiliency goals.
Moderator
-
Jamie Donovan, Program Analyst, Energy Administration, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment
Presenters
-
Josh Elliott, Director, Division of Policy and Programs, New Hampshire Department of Energy
-
Deb Harris, Senior Director, Climate Planning and Climate Center Senior Fellow, ICF
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Supporting States' Clean Energy and Community Economic Development Actions
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) coordinates signature state- and locally-focused programs like the U.S. State Energy Program, Weatherization Assistance Program. and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, it is also working with states to usher new energy efficiency and electrification investments to schools, homes, and communities across the country. In this session, join SCEP Director Dr. Henry McKoy to explore avenues for effective, impactful, and equitable state-federal coordination.
Moderator
-
Sara Bazemore, Director, State Energy Office, South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
Presenter
-
Dr. Henry McKoy, Director, Office of State and Community Energy Programs, U.S. Department of Energy
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Large-Scale Possibilities for Small-Scale Solar: Strategies to Realize Affordability, Clean Energy, and Community Benefits
Smaller-scale, distributed, and community-based solar systems can play a critical role in combating rising electric rates and energy burdens, especially those prevalent in low-income and disadvantaged communities. In this session, leading local and community solar experts will highlight strategies and partnerships for states to leverage innovative funding, financing, and technical assistance opportunities to support the deployment of distributed solar and provide relief for cost-burdened household.
Moderator
-
Joe Pater, Director, Office of Energy Innovation, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Presenters
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Nicole Steele, Senior Advisor, Energy Justice and Workforce, Solar Energy Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy
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Michael Judge, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Coalition for Community Solar Access
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Robin Dutta, Campaign Director, Local Solar for All
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Policies, Pathways, and the Private Sector: Perspectives on Achieving Energy and Economic Development Goals
Increasingly, State Energy Offices are tasked with balancing goals and targets for state energy policies and corporate procurement needs, while providing economic development pathways. This can present challenges, and opportunities, to attract private sector investments and create long-term economic opportunities. This session will feature perspectives from large multi-sector industrial users and corporate buyers on state policies affecting energy pricing, carbon-free energy development, and economic development within states.
Moderator
-
Shaun Sagle, Energy Programs Manager, Office of Energy and Environment, Ohio Department of Development
Presenters
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Brian George, Global Energy Market Development and Policy, US Federal Lead, Google
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Chad Eaton, Director of Government Affairs, Nucor Corporation
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Technologies Enabling Customer Side Distributed Resources at Scale
Innovations in the distributed energy resource space allow engagement with customers like never before. Smart grid-edge technologies can drive energy efficiency and demand response programs that help customers better understand their energy usage and its impact on their communities. This session will focus on the growing need to engage with customers, the tools and programs enabling that, and the challenges and opportunities in gaining wider adoption.
Moderator
-
Mark Glick, Chief Energy Officer, Hawaii State Energy Office
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
State Roundtable: Outlook on the U.S. State Energy Program and Weatherization Assistance Program
This session will invite State and Territory Energy Offices that administer U.S. State Energy Program (SEP) and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) funds to highlight recent SEP and WAP success stories, share how they envision leveraging the additional SEP and WAP funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to achieve their state’s energy and climate goals, and identify challenges they foresee in administering these programs in the years ahead.
Moderator
-
Michael Furze, Assistant Director, Energy Division, Washington State Department of Commerce
Presenters
-
Rebecca Respicio, Director, Guam Energy Office
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Julie Staveland, Manager Sustainability Section, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
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Kristofor Anderson, Director of Energy Resources, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level
Wrap-Up and Adjourn
Presenters
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David Terry, President, National Association of State Energy Officials
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John Williams, Executive Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
David Terry
President, National Association of State Energy Officials
David Terry is the President of the National Association of State Energy Officials and has worked with NASEO in a variety of capacities since 1996. Mr. Terry leads NASEO's policy actions and programs in support of the 56 governor-designated state and territory energy directors and their offices. NASEO communicates the states' views on virtually all national energy issues. Mr. Terry has participated in governor-led policy meetings, testified before U.S. Congressional Committees and presented at White House and international energy forums. Mr. Terry has 25 years of experience working on a range of energy issues for such organizations as the Governors’ Wind and Solar Energy and Coalition and Energy Services Coalition. Prior to working in the energy area, Mr. Terry was researcher at the National Academy of Sciences and a statistical analyst for a consumer products market research firm. He received a BA degree from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, and he has completed graduate coursework in statistics and marketing at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia.
John Williams
Executive Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
As Executive Vice President for Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Mr. Williams’ primary responsibility is to help guide state energy policy development. At NYSERDA, Mr. Williams oversees the Energy and Environmental Analysis unit, providing economic analysis and scientific research to best inform policy-makers in energy and environmental issues, as well as the Performance Management unit, which provides market characterization and evaluation, clean energy market insights and statistical analysis that all guide effective clean energy strategies. Mr. Williams serves as NYSERDA’s designee on the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment.
Mr. Williams’ previous work experience includes serving as Energy Counsel for the New York State Assembly; Staff Attorney for The Energy Project of the Pace University School of Law; and Financial Analyst for the Public Service Company of New Mexico, a combined electric and natural gas utility serving the largest markets in the state of New Mexico. Mr. Williams earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Columbia University, a Juris Doctor degree from the St. John’s University School of Law, and a Master of Laws degree in Environmental Law from the Pace University School of Law. He is a licensed attorney in the states of New York and New Jersey.
Ted Wiley
Co-Founder, President, and Chief Operating Officer, Form Energy
Ted Wiley is co-founder, President and COO at Form Energy, a venture-backed startup working to develop breakthrough low cost, multi-day energy storage solutions that will enable the electric system to be 100% renewably powered. Ted began his career as a US Army Infantry officer. He went on to be co-founder and head of product at Aquion Energy, a startup focused on developing bulk energy storage for the grid. After Aquion, Ted was president of McDonough Innovation, a consulting firm focused on implementing sustainability solutions for the circular economy based on the ideas of architect William McDonough. Ted holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and was recognized in 2013 by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader.
The Honorable Angus S. King, Jr.
Member, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senate
In January 2013, Angus King was sworn in as Maine’s first Independent United States Senator, filling the same seat once held by storied Maine leaders Edmund Muskie, George Mitchell, and Olympia Snowe.
A strong believer in the need for greater bipartisan dialogue and relationship building, Senator King is proud to join the long line of thoughtful, independent leaders from the State of Maine, and he works hard every day to bring Republicans and Democrats together to find common-sense solutions for Maine and America. He is a proven consensus-builder who “calls ‘em like he sees ‘em”, putting civility and respect ahead of political ideology.
Senator King is a member of the Armed Services Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Rules and Administration. He has made it a priority not to miss Committee hearings, earning him praise from his colleagues and the reputation as a workhorse in the Senate. The late Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), who served as Armed Services Chairman, once called Senator King “one of the most serious and hard-working members” of the Committee.
In his time in the Senate, Senator King has worked to strengthen America’s national security, conducted critical oversight of the nation’s Intelligence Community, supported common-sense budget priorities that promote prosperity and reduce the national debt, fought the national opioid and heroin epidemic, coordinated efforts to revitalize Maine’s forest economy, advocated for policies that contribute to cleaner, cheaper energy and mitigate climate change, railed against the corrosive effect of unchecked money in politics, fought to improve access to health care, worked to strengthen the government’s support of veterans, and promoted increased access to critical community resources like rural broadband.
Senator King has achieved significant legislative victories since taking office. He led efforts to draft and pass the Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013, which averted drastic increases in student loan interest rates, saved students across the country more than $50 billion in interest payments, and set the program on a path to long-term financial stability. In 2018, Senator King successfully included a number of provisions in the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, legislation focused on improving the federal government’s response to the opioid epidemic. The legislation, which passed overwhelmingly, included language backed by Senator King to make medication-assisted treatment more readily available and adjust federal restrictions to allow residential treatment facilities to increase treatment capacity. Earlier this year, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, he introduced the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act to improve the Paycheck Protection Program and provide additional flexibility for business owners who’ve received PPP loans; the legislation was signed into law in June.
A leading voice on the importance of improving America’s cybersecurity, Senator King was selected by Congressional leadership to co-chair the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, a bipartisan effort established by Congress to review the threats facing America in cyberspace and develop a forward looking plan on how to defend ourselves against cyber threats. The commission, which consisted of bipartisan members of Congress, top Executive Branch officials, and nonpartisan industry leaders, laid out more than 75 recommendations to improve the cybersecurity of U.S. critical infrastructure and prepare the nation for future challenges in an increasingly digital world.
In fact, it is in small working groups like this that Senator King has focused much of his work. Senator King is committed to working across the aisle in small, bipartisan working groups that bridge partisan divides to address the challenges that face the nation. He co-founded the Former Governors Caucus, which brings together the Senate’s former Governors to chart pragmatic approaches to solutions, as well as the Senate Arctic Caucus, which hones in on Maine and America’s growing interest in the Arctic. Senator King also tries to informally bridge the partisan divide in Washington by frequently bringing his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to his home for barbeque dinners, where political talk is banned and the focus is getting to know one another. The bonds that are formed through these relationships often lay the foundation for successful legislation.
Prior to taking office, Senator King served as the 72nd Governor of Maine. During his two terms in the Blaine House, he focused on economic development and job creation. Then-Governor King also achieved significant reforms in education, mental health services, land conservation, environmental protection, and the delivery of state services. He was re-elected in 1998 by one of the largest margins in Maine’s history.
Senator King is married to Mary Herman and has four sons, Angus III, Duncan, James, and Ben, one daughter, Molly, and six grandchildren. He attended Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia Law School. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the Maine outdoors with his family in their camper.
The Honorable Paul Tonko
Member, U.S. House of Representatives
Congressman Paul D. Tonko is an eighth-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York’s 20th Congressional District in the Capital Region, including the cities of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Saratoga Springs.
He has dedicated his career in public service to bettering the lives of those in his district with meaningful legislation that creates good jobs, strengthens the middle class, and drives economic opportunity.
Tonko has long been a champion for clean energy and the environment. Prior to serving in Congress, he was the president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Before that, he served in the New York State Assembly for 25 years, serving for 15 years as Chairman of the Committee on Energy.
Tonko graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering and is a former engineer for the New York State Public Service Commission.
Patrick Woodcock
Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
Patrick Woodcock was named DOER Commissioner in February 2020. Formerly, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Undersecretary of Energy, Commissioner Woodcock was named Acting Commissioner in December 2019 and served in this role until his current appointment.
Woodcock joined the Baker-Polito Administration in 2017 and served as the Undersecretary of Energy in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for over two years. In that position, Woodcock oversaw the Department of Energy Resources and the Department of Public Utilities. Woodcock serves on the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Board and Investment Committee, represents Massachusetts on the Boards of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Inc. and National Association of State Energy Officials, and is a member of the Energy Facilities Siting Board.
Prior to his time in the administration, Woodcock was Director of the Maine State Energy Office, a position he held from 2013 through 2016. Previously, Woodcock worked for United States Senator Olympia Snowe in her Washington, D.C. office. Woodcock graduated from Bowdoin College and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government.
Dan Burgess
Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office
Dan Burgess, was appointed as the Director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office by Governor Janet Mills in March of 2019. Governor Mills has set an ambitious climate and clean energy agenda, including the recent signing of legislation that requires emissions reductions of 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050 and increases Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standards to 80% by 2030. Prior to his return to his home state of Maine, Burgess spent eight years working in leadership roles at the Massachusetts at the Department of Energy Resources and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Burgess has a business degree from the University of Maine Orono and a masters in Public Administration from Northeastern University.
David Althoff Jr.
Director, Energy Programs Office, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
David’s office, DEP’s Energy Programs Office, is involved in supporting, designing, and implementing energy-focused programs to encourage the development and deployment of energy efficiency, energy resiliency and alternative energy projects in Pennsylvania. The Energy Program’s Office’s mission is to support energy activities which result in environmental improvements including mitigating the effects of and adapting to climate change.
David along with his staff have spent the last several years developing forward-looking plans centered on positioning Pennsylvania to take advantage of the clean energy economy. Recent products include: A 2021 Climate Action Plan and Climate Impacts Assessment for Pennsylvania, A Clean Energy Program Plan for Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania’s Solar Future Plan, Pennsylvania’s Electric Vehicle Roadmap, a Food Waste to Energy Assessment and an Energy Storage Assessment for Pennsylvania. These foundational plans have led to the creation of various follow-on stakeholder groups including, the Drive Electric Pennsylvania Coalition and the Pennsylvania Energy Storage Consortium.
During his career with DEP, David has led the development and deployment of $125 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Stimulus funds, the $100 million Pennsylvania Sunshine Program, and the $15 million Green Energy Revolving Loan Fund. Dave has also served as the Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority. Dave and his staff also lead the very popular Pennsylvania Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Programs which distributes nearly $5 Million annually to support innovation and emission reductions in the transportation sector.
Dave has proudly served the citizens of Pennsylvania through his work at DEP for nearly 30 years, is a life-long Pennsylvanian, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and lives in Hummelstown, PA.
During his career with DEP, David has led the development and deployment of $125 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Stimulus funds, the $100 million Pennsylvania Sunshine Program, and the $15 million Green Energy Revolving Loan Fund. Dave has also served as the Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority. Dave and his staff also lead the very popular Pennsylvania Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Programs which distributes nearly $5 Million annually to support innovation and emission reductions in the transportation sector.
Dave has proudly served the citizens of Pennsylvania through his work at DEP for nearly 30 years, is a life-long Pennsylvanian, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and lives in Hummelstown, PA.
Dan Lloyd
Bureau Chief, Energy Office, Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Dan Lloyd has led the Montana Energy Office (MEO) at the Department of Environmental Quality since August of 2020. Prior to this, Dan was employed by an energy development company working on transmission and storage projects and has served the state of Montana state for nearly a decade including positions with the Montana Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Department of Commerce. Dan has a business degree from the University of Notre Dame and served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member focused on improving access to energy efficiency. He lives with his wife and two dogs in Helena, Montana.
Eddy Trevino
Director, State Energy Conservation Office, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Eddy Trevino is the Director of the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). Through energy efficiency, SECO helps public entities improve working and learning environments. Energy efficiency assistance is provided through a technical assistance program, emerging clean energy technology program, education and training program, and an energy-efficiency revolving loan program. Mr. Trevino’s professional designations include a registered Professional Engineer and a Certified Energy Manager. He has 35 years of engineering and management experience. While attending the University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Trevino earned the following degrees: Bachelor’s in architectural engineering, an MBA, and a Master in Technology Commercialization.
Michelle Gransee
Deputy Commissioner, Energy Resources Division, Minnesota Department of Commerce
Michelle Gransee serves the MN Department of Commerce as the Deputy Commissioner for the Energy Resources Division. She is an experienced energy manager with a demonstrated history of working in government administration. She has particular expertise in program development and evaluation, energy policy, clean energy technologies, training and conflict resolution. She has worked for the state since 2009. She received her B.A. from Concordia College – Moorhead in philosophy and art history, post-baccalaureate certification in education from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and M.S. in natural resource from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.
Chad Kruse
Manager, Office of Energy, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Chad’s childhood love of water and the outdoors matured into a desire to apply his education in anthropology, earth sciences, and law to environmental concerns. He has over a decade of environmental law and policy experience with the State of Illinois. His work with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency includes serving as Assistant Legal Counsel for the Bureau of Water and his current role as Manager of the Office of Energy.
Michael Furze
Assistant Director, Energy Division, Washington State Department of Commerce
Michael Furze is an Assistant Director at the Washington State Department of Commerce where he leads the State Energy Office. The Office catalyzes the transition to a clean and just energy future through policy leadership, investing in leading edge clean technologies, planning & responding to energy emergencies and expanding access to clean energy and environmental justice. Their work strengthens communities so that the people of Washington thrive in a clean, affordable and just energy economy.
He currently serves on the Board of the National Association of State Energy Officials and co-chairs the NASEO equity committee. Michael holds a Master’s Degree in Community and Regional Planning and a graduate certificate in Town Design from the University of New Mexico.
He waits patiently for the sun to emerge from behind the rain and clouds of the Pacific Northwest.
Puesh Kumar
Director, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Energy
Kumar leads DOE’s mission to address cyber, physical, and natural hazards and threats to the U.S. energy infrastructure. Kumar has over 15 years of experience in grid modernization, cybersecurity, and emergency response within the energy sector.
Most recently, Kumar was the principal manager for cybersecurity engineering and risk management at Southern California Edison. There, he led a team that addressed cyber threats to critical infrastructure at one of the largest electric utilities in the United States.
Kumar previously served as director of preparedness and exercises for CESER’s Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration division and as senior advisor for policy and strategy at CESER. In those capacities, he led the development of national-level policies, strategies, and programs related to energy sector hazards and threats.
Kumar has also held industry positions at the American Public Power Association as director of engineering and operations and at Memphis Light, Gas, and Water as a power systems engineer.
Maria Robinson
Director, Grid Deployment Office, U.S. Department of Energy
Maria Duaime Robinson was the first Korean-American elected to the Massachusetts General Court, where she served in the House of Representatives from 2019-2022. While in office, she led the bicameral Clean Energy Caucus, was the Massachusetts state lead for the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators where she also served on the board, and was the only state legislator on the U.S. EPA Clean Air Act Advisory Committee. She also served on faculty at Tufts University's School of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy, bringing her expertise in energy policy to graduate students. Prior to her election in 2018, Maria led Advanced Energy Economy's Wholesale Markets Program, including engagement at FERC and the regional transmission organizations. Previously, she focused on regulatory issues relating to energy and air, including a 27-state campaign with Governors' offices, legislatures, and energy and environmental regulators. She also managed AEE’s report development and data-driven analysis at both the state and national level. She worked for Navigant Consulting in the renewable energy practice, supporting the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in analyzing and procuring contractors for statewide renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Maria is a proud lifetime Girl Scout. She holds an S.B. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Masters of Jurisprudence in Energy Law from the University of Tulsa.
David Townley
Director of Public Policy, CTC Global Corporation
David works with CTC Global Corporation as Director of Public Policy where he communicates with Federal and State policy makers about the benefits of using high performance transmission conductors to increase electric grid efficiency, capacity, and resilience. With over 40 years of experience in energy service and technology companies, his experience has been in both the regulated electric utility industry as well as the fast-paced electric technology development world. He is an executive with S&P 100 managerial experience, has been an adviser to multiple electric technology startup companies, and participated in the White House Executive Exchange Program. David has a Bachelor of Nuclear Engineering (Georgia Tech); Bachelor of Arts – Religion, Psychology (Lee University); MBA Studies at Georgia State University; and International Business Studies at Harvard University.
Laura Rogers
Deputy Director, The Ray
Prior to joining The Ray, Laura was an Environmental Program Manager at the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) for six years. She led the environmental stewardship, sustainability, and energy policies and programs across all MDOT transportation business units including highways, tolls, ports, airports, transit, and motor vehicles. In addition, she oversaw and coordinated environmental management activities in transportation planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance.
Before joining MDOT, Laura worked in the federal and private sectors on environmental management and sustainability issues. She spent two years at the Department of the Army at Arlington National Cemetery where she developed their environmental programs, four years with a private environmental consulting firm working on multi-media environmental compliance and management programs around the U.S. and Europe, and two years as an Air Quality Enforcement Officer with Maricopa County in Arizona.
She received her B.S. in Justice Studies from Arizona State University.
Courtney Haynes
Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, U.S. Department of Energy
Courtney has been working to elevate economic opportunity and prosperity over the last 18 years, covering large-scale policy initiatives to direct service. She has worked on coalition development and policy formulation across corporate favoritism, housing, and more deeply in healthcare, education and workforce, while continuously returning to community-based organizations to understand social determinant complexities and opportunity. More recently, Courtney was the Coal Communities Lead with the Economic Development Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce helping to build the programming, capacity, and funding opportunities under the American Rescue Plan for Coal Communities across the country. Courtney now joins the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations with the U.S. Department of Energy to work directly with communities for the Clean Energy on Mine Lands and Energy Improvements in Rural and Remote provisions working to bring stakeholders together locally to ensure long-term, regional economic development.
Ed Gilliland
Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives, Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Ed is the senior director for The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Since his 2015 start at The Solar Foundation (now merged with IREC), Ed has overseen $20 million in federal and foundation awards in support of renewable energy. His focus includes the SolSmart municipal designation, Puerto Rican Solar Business Accelerator, and the Sustainable Energy Action Committee EV Charging Working Group. The SolSmart program helps local governments improve practices that facilitate solar energy development; over 470 local governments are designated. He was project manager and principal author for the 2015 – 2019 annual National Solar Jobs Census reports and the Large-scale Solar Development Playbook for Southwest Virginia. In Puerto Rico, he established and oversees IREC’s work to facilitate the development of two microgrids and innovative financing tools for solar development. For the American Cities Climate Challenge, he led the firm’s work on solar and EV Ready ordinances in cities such as Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis.
Ben Bolton
Senior Energy Programs Administrator, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Mr. Bolton serves as the Primary Emergency Services Coordinator for Energy for the State of Tennessee. In his role as helps administer the Tennessee Office of Energy Programs activities related to energy security/assurance, critical infrastructure, & energy policy. In 2018, Mr. Bolton was selected as co-chair of the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Energy Security Committee & serves on the FEMA's Mitigation Framework Leadership Group. Originally from Mule Capital of the World – Columbia, Tennessee, he has a B.A. in English and B.S. in biology from Birmingham-Southern College.
Amy Royden-Bloom
Program Manager, Residential Building Program, Building Technologies, U.S. Department of Energy
Amy Royden-Bloom is the manager of the Residential Buildings Integration team in the Buildings Technology Office at the U.S. Department of Energy. In this role, she provides leadership to maximize the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy through technology deployment, accessing new partnerships and resources, and communications and outreach activities.
Previously, she served as the State Energy Program Manager. The program provides funding and technical assistance to states, territories, and the District of Columbia to enhance energy security, advance state-led energy initiatives, and maximize the benefits of increasing energy affordability.
Prior to joining DOE in 2013, Amy was a Senior Staff Associate for 12 years at the National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA), where she led the association’s efforts on global warming, enforcement, agricultural air pollution and training. She previously worked as a special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and, before that, as a lawyer at DOE.
Amy holds a law degree from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and Spanish from the University of Virginia.
Ashley Armstrong
IRA Management Expert and Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Energy
Ashley Armstrong is leading DOE’s efforts within the Office of Infrastructure on the strategy, program design, and implementation of Inflation Reduction Act Building Energy Codes provision. In addition, she serves as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), where she leads DOE’s Appliance Standards Program. Ashley has focused her career on energy efficiency and buildings, and most recently served as the Acting Director of Regulatory Building Programs at DOE and the Director of Regulatory and Technology Policy at A. O. Smith Corporation. Ashley holds a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Elliot Seibert
Implementation Manager, ENERGY STAR Certified Homes, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Elliot Seibert is the implementation manager for the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction programs at the US Environmental Protection Agency, where he focuses on quality assurance and leads the ENERGY STAR Manufactured Homes technical specifications. Elliot has a mechanical engineering background, with experience in energy ratings, building systems commissioning, and energy auditing.
Robyn Reyes-Boyle
Energy Resource Professional, Energy Office, Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Robyn Reyes-Boyle has been with the Montana Energy Office (MEO) at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) since 2016. Prior to this, Robyn worked in the Water Quality Division of DEQ from 2011-2016. Her work with MEO revolves around Clean Energy Financing, the State Buildings Energy Conservation Program (Revolving Loan Fund), SMART Schools, Energy Performance Contracting, and Grant Administration and Management. Robyn is Co-Chair of the NASEO Energy Financing Committee. She was born and raised in Montana where she currently lives with her husband, daughter and doggo.
Grady Bailey
Southwest Regional Manager, Smart-E Loan Program, Inclusive Prosperity Capital
Michael Forrester
Principal Deputy Director, Office of State and Community Energy Programs, U.S. Department of Energy
Michael Forrester is the former Director for Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability (OES). While at Cincinnati, Michael lead the installation of, what at the time was, the municipally lead solar array in the country (100 megawatts). Michael also led installation of energy efficiency and renewable installations on city facilities, city efforts on vehicle electrification, and focused on climate equity with both the low-income energy efficiency program, Warm-up Cincy, and the neighborhood climate planning program Climate Safe Neighborhoods. Before coming to Cincinnati, Michael worked for the Ohio Development Service Agency in the State Energy Office administering programs for the installation of wind, solar, and anaerobic digesters throughout Ohio. Michael has a master’s degree from Indiana University and an undergraduate from Miami University.
Nick Burger
Deputy Director, Energy Administration, District Department of Energy and Environment
Divakar Jandhyala
Chief Product and Technology Officer, CLEAResult
Alejandro Moreno
Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
Alejandro Moreno directs EERE's renewable energy applied research, development, and demonstration activities for the geothermal, solar energy, and wind and water power technology offices. In addition, he oversees EERE's energy system integration efforts. Previously, Moreno was the Director for the Water Power Technologies Office. In this role, he managed efforts to develop and commercialize innovative technologies and market solutions for clean, domestic power generation from hydropower and marine energy resources across the United States.
Working with DOE's national laboratories, academia, and industry, the program funds research, development, and deployment of water power systems through competitively selected, cost-shared projects with businesses, federal, state, and other stakeholder groups. Between his stints at DOE, he served in the energy groups of the World Bank and International Finance Corporation, where he designed and led regulatory reform programs to spur investment in clean energy and rural electrification.
Moreno holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a master’s degree in economics and energy policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
Daryl Wright
Chief Strategy Officer, Emerald Cities Collaborative
Daryl Wright is the Chief Strategy Officer at Emerald Cities Collaborative, an organization working at the nexus of economic, racial and environmental justice. Daryl's portfolio includes advising municipalities and corporations on economic inclusion strategies; facilitating partnerships between national social sector partners, the private sector, organized labor and community-based organizations; and organizing internal initiatives to strengthen execution of ECC's strategy. Wright has extensive experience building and sustaining collaborations focused on successful outcomes as defined by client organizations. He has experience in youth development, community engagement, workforce and supplier development.
He has worked with small and medium-sized businesses, community-based organizations, unions, and business associations to launch innovations and take them to scale.
Wright is a martial artist. He practices Aikido and has a third-degree black belt in Japanese Jujitsu. He is married and has one daughter.
Lisa Brown
Senior Director, Municipal Infrastructure and Smart Communities, Johnson Controls
As Senior National Director for Municipal Infrastructure & Smart Communities, Lisa is responsible for growth of the local government & smart communities market globally, including the development of strategies, offerings and innovations for local government service and systems markets. Lisa created Johnson Controls’ local government urban efficiency initiative, which combines smart city solutions with community outreach, workforce enhancement and fiscal resiliency for midsize to large municipal customers. Lisa is consistently sought out to deliver global & NA key note presentations, and participate on Smart City and IOT Digital Revolution panels to discuss how data can assist cities to become “secure & connected”, and its relation to climate resiliency, smart infrastructure and economic growth. Often interviewed and consistently publishing, Lisa serves as an advisor for states and municipality leaders regarding federal stimulus and funding focused on resiliency and economic development. Prior to JCI, Lisa was a Vice President of AT&T’s Broadband Television division, CEO of a Dotcom incubator in the NY’s Silicon Alley, and Director of Marketing of Lifetime Medical Television. These roles provided Lisa with deep technology & telecommunications knowledge that serve as a foundation to her current IT/OT expertise.
Lisa regularly contributes to the G20 and Sustainability working groups for the World Economic Forum (WEF), as a net zero carbon emissions group advisor for Regions, Cities & Provinces; as well as sits on the Risk Allocation and Future Cities task force, and the P3 & Cities roadmap team, focused on sustainable & collaborative infrastructure initiatives globally. Previously, Lisa was the Chairman of the Smart Cities Working Group, North America (joint effort of the Smart Cities Council and Wireless Infrastructure Ass.), a board member of Smart City Works, a smart DC based accelerator, the co-chair of the Crisis & Pandemic Response Pillar for Denton’s Smart Communities think tank and advises for various city lead steering committees regarding Resiliency, Social Equity & Sustainable Infrastructure, globally. Lisa is the JCI lead for local government organizations, such as NLC, SCC, NACO, & USCOM, and has functioned as global ambassador for International Women’s Day. Lisa served 15 years with the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, four of those years as director of community development and outreach in Newark, New Jersey. Previously, Lisa sat on the Rumson-Fair Haven Education Foundation board, contributing locally and was also honored as a recipient of the NY Women of Valor Humanitarian Award from St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters, which support 1.5 million food disadvantaged New Yorkers annually and is an avid fundraiser.
Jeffrey Genzer
General Counsel, National Association of State Energy Officials
Jeff Genzer has been Counsel to NASEO since the organization began in 1986. He represents the organization before Congress and the Administration, working closely with David Terry and the NASEO staff. He has also practiced energy and environmental law since 1985 at the law firm of Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer and Pembroke, PC. Mr. Genzer serves as President of the law firm. Prior to going into private law practice, he served as counsel and energy lobbyist for the Energy and Environment Committee of the National Governors Association. Mr. Genzer also worked on low income energy issues for the National Consumer Law Center. He began his energy career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Micronesia 41 years ago.
Kristen Worosz
Policy and Partnerships Advisor, Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center
Dr. Henry McKoy
Director, Office of State and Community Energy Programs, U.S. Department of Energy
Dr. Henry C. McKoy, Jr. is a seasoned professional in business, community and economic development, policy, government, finance, energy, philanthropy and the academic worlds. Prior to the Department of Energy he served on the faculty at North Carolina Central University School of Business where he led the entrepreneurship program, with additional appointments at Duke, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Harvard. He is a former banking executive, entrepreneur, and former Assistant Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. He holds degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School (B.S.), Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment (M.S.), and UNC-Chapel Hill’s Department of City and Regional Planning (PhD).
Dr. Andrew McAllister
Commissioner, California Energy Commission
Andrew McAllister was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown in May 2012. He fills the Economist Member position on the five-member Commission where four of the five members by law are required to have professional training in specific areas - engineering or physical science, environmental protection, economics, and law.
Mr. McAllister has over 20 years of technical, programmatic and policy experience in the fields of energy management, efficiency and renewable generation. Before joining the Commission, he worked at the California Center for Sustainable Energy for six years, most recently as managing director and director of policy and strategy. Previously, he worked with NRECA International Ltd. in the electric sectors of countries in Central and South America, Southeast Asia and Africa on a variety of load management, generation and utility planning projects. He was a project manager at an energy consulting firm and worked as an energy efficiency analyst at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He has published on various energy topics in academic, trade, and popular journals.
Andrew studied both engineering sciences and art history at Dartmouth College and holds M.S. and PhD degrees from the Energy & Resources Group at UC Berkeley. He is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer.
Debra Gore-Mann
President and Chief Executive Officer, The Greenlining Institute
Debra Gore-Mann (she/her/hers) is the President & CEO of The Greenlining Institute. Debra has over 25+ years of leadership experience in nonprofit, private research universities and over ten years of private sector business expertise having worked in investment banking, international infrastructure development, project finance and engineering. Debra currently serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Community Advisory Council and is the designated Chair for 2023. She also serves on the Pacific Gas & Electric Community Advisory Group. Debra received her B.S. in Management Sciences and MBA in finance from Stanford University. Debra volunteers her time with multiple nonprofit and foundation boards that work to serve communities whose works include criminal justice, nonviolence, youth educational opportunities, sports and economic opportunity.
Rich Powell
Chief Executive Officer, ClearPath
Rich Powell is the CEO of ClearPath and ClearPath Action, the DC-based organizations advancing policies that accelerate breakthrough innovations to reduce emissions in the energy and industrial sectors. Rich advises policymakers on investing wisely in energy innovation, removing roadblocks to building and exporting American clean energy and industrial technology, and maintaining and promoting our flexible clean energy resources. He frequently testifies before congress on climate change and energy innovation. Rich serves on the boards of the 2040 Foundation and the Conservative Climate Foundation, is a Strategic Advisor to the Silverado Policy Accelerator, and is part of the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center’s Advisory Group. Rich served on the Advisory Committee to the Export Import Bank of the United States from 2019 to 2021. Previously, Rich was with McKinsey & Company in the Energy and Sustainability practices. He focused on corporate clean energy strategy, government low carbon growth strategy, and clean tech market entry. Rich has a B.A. from Harvard College in Environmental Science and Public Policy, and a J.D. from New York University.
Tom Hassenboehler
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, COEFFICIENT
Tom Hassenboehler is a partner with COEFFICIENT, a Washington DC-based mission-driven consultancy advancing public policy and market solutions in the energy, environment, and climate sectors. Founded in 2017, COEFFICIENT specializes in corporate sustainability, climate and energy policy, and nature-based solutions. The firm leverages decades of bipartisan policy, regulatory, and market expertise in energy, climate, environment, and financial markets to address growing corporate demands to balance policy uncertainty and technological innovation with ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) goals
Prior to his time at COEFFICIENT, Tom served as the Chief Counsel for Energy and Environment at the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce under Chairman Greg Walden (R-Oregon). During his time in the House, he led and managed the issues and staff under the jurisdiction of the Subcommittees on Energy and Environment. He successfully oversaw bipartisan Committee passage of reauthorizations of several energy and environmental laws, and the launching of the Powering America hearing series, a comprehensive review of emerging issues affecting the nation’s electricity markets. He previously served as Chief Counsel for Energy under Chairman Fred Upton (R-Michigan) where he helped to shepherd through the enactment of several legislative initiatives, including oil export reform and critical electric infrastructure protections in the FAST Act. He also often represented the Committee in international bilateral and multilateral meetings and conferences, including multiple delegations related to energy trade, exports, and international climate policy.
Kerry Campbell
Environmental Program Manager, Energy Programs Office, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Kerry is an Environmental Program Manager in the Energy Programs Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). He oversees the Pennsylvania Climate Program, the State Energy Program, Energy Security Program, the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program, among other climate and clean energy initiatives. He received an M.S. in Agronomy, and B.S. degrees in Biology and Environmental Resource Management, from Penn State.
Janine Benner
Director, Oregon Department of Energy
Janine Benner is the director of the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE). Janine joined ODOE in 2017 as assistant director for Planning and Innovation and was confirmed by the Oregon Senate as director in February of 2018. Janine came to ODOE from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), where she served as associate assistant secretary in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. Janine also spent 12 years working for Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), as energy and environmental policy advisor, legislative director, and deputy chief of staff. She grew up in Portland, OR and has a degree in history from Princeton University.
James Strange
Consultant, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, U.S. Department of Energy
James specializes in energy law and policy and has worked across state lines assisting government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses pursue their renewable energy and equity goals. Until recently, James was counsel for an organization that oversees the nation’s largest solar, storage, and transportation electrification programs. James is currently a full time consultant for the United States Department of Energy, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity.
Janani Shankaran
Federal Policy Advisor, Office of the Director, District Department of Energy and Environment
Janani Shankaran (she/her) is a federal policy advisor at the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), where she strategizes around how to leverage and maximize federal funding for DOEE’s climate and energy programs and monitors their implementation. Prior to DOEE, Janani served as an analyst at the Congressional Budget Office, where she worked closely with committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on natural resources, public lands, science, and energy legislation and appropriations. Her previous work experience also includes urban and regional planning across communities in New Jersey and New York. Janani received a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Rutgers University and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University.
Karen Lasure
Energy Development Specialist, Office of Energy, West Virginia Department of Economic Development
Karen Lasure is an energy development specialist with the West Virginia State Energy Office, housed within the recently formed WV Department of Economic Development. Karen directly manages 85% of West Virginia's State Energy Program activities. The office's largest SEP-supported program provides comprehensive statewide energy efficiency and workforce education. Most recently, Karen provided technical assistance and guidance to the West Virginia Legislature that led to the passage of HB 2667 (Energy Savings in Public Buildings). This bill sets the state’s first energy reduction goal of 25% by 2030, as well as establishes the first benchmarking and disclosure policy. Karen has over 20 years' experience in program administration and grants management, extensive experience in pre- and post- awards management, as well as university research compliance. Karen has worked directly in the energy sector since 2015. She received a bachelor’s in science from West Virginia State University and a master’s in organizational management from Emmanuel College in Boston, MA.
Dr. Candace Vahlsing
Associate Director for Climate, Energy, Environment, and Science, Office of Management and Budget, The White House
Candace Vahlsing is Associate Director for Climate, Energy, Environment and Science(CEES) in the Office of Budget and Management. She most recently led climate, energy, environment, and natural resources policy for the Domestic and Economic Policy team on the Biden-Harris Transition. In the Obama-Biden administration, she served as a Senior Policy Advisor for Energy and Climate Change at the Domestic Policy Council, supported the National Security Council on climate matters, and earlier worked at the Council on Environmental Quality. In the 115th and 116th Congress, Candace was a Senior Advisor to U.S. Senator Michael F. Bennet and the Minority Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Finance Subcommittee for Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure. Most recently, Candace was a Senior Advisor for Science and Technology Policy to the Chair of the California Air Resources Board, the agency charged with leading California’s climate policy.
Jessica Oh
Strategic Partnerships Director, Sustainability and Public Health Office, Sustainability, Planning, and Program Management Division, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Robin Dutta
Campaign Director, Local Solar for All
Robin Dutta has been the Campaign Director for Local Solar for All since October 2022, where he engages with policymakers at all levels of government to share how distributed solar, storage, and other local clean energy solutions can contribute to all communities accessing more affordable energy solutions. Immediately prior to leading to this role, Robin worked for SunPower, one of the oldest solar energy companies in the United States, on both state and federal solar and storage policy. A native of New Jersey, Robin currently resides in Washington, D.C.
Skye Schell
Supervisor, Procurement Services, Performance Contracting, and Energy Generation, Federal Energy Management Program, U.S. Department of Energy
John Podesta
Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation, The White House
John Podesta is the Senior Advisor to President Biden for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation (OCEII) at the White House. He is the Founder and former Chair for the Washington, D.C- based think tank Center for American Progress and a Founder and former Chair of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth. Podesta served as counselor to President Barack Obama, where he was responsible for coordinating the administration’s climate policy and initiatives. In 2008, he served as co-chair of President Obama’s transition team. He was a member of the U.N. Secretary General’s High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Podesta previously served as White House chief of staff to President William J. Clinton. He chaired Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president in 2016. A Chicago native, Podesta is a graduate of Knox College and the Georgetown University Law Center, where he is currently a visiting professor of law.
Molly Cripps
Director, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Molly oversees the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Office of Energy Programs (OEP). OEP promotes the efficient, effective use of energy to enhance the environmental and economic health of the state. Efforts and activities include education, outreach, technical assistance, and/or funding and financing opportunities that focus on energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, utility data management, energy security planning and preparedness, and energy in transportation
Molly is the Administrative Lead for Tennessee’s Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust (VW Settlement EMT) allocation and a member of the Executive Committee for the Drive Electric TN Consortium. She serves as Governor Lee’s designee to the State Energy Policy Council and represents TDEC on the Energy Efficient Schools Council and various TVA information exchanges and working groups. She has served on the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Board of Directors since 2014 and is currently serving as the Treasurer of the Executive Committee.
In addition to Molly’s energy-related work, she serves as the Director of Operations for the Bureau of Environment, including emergency response efforts. Prior to joining the State in 2010, Molly spent several years practicing law in Tennessee, with a focus on compliance and municipal liability defense. She holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Tennessee and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School.
John McAuliff
Climate Policy Advisor, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
John is the Senior Climate Advisor at the Rural Business Cooperative Service within Rural Development at USDA. He previously worked in the Virginia Legislature and a state clean energy policy advocacy organization, and graduated from the University of Richmond. He is small business owner in rural Fauquier County, Virginia and enjoys kayaking, sailing, hiking and exploring new energy technologies.
Kara Saul Rinaldi
President and Chief Executive Officer, AnnDyl Policy Group, LLC
Kara has twenty-five years of experience in advocacy, policy strategy development, lobbying, and media relations. As one of the leading energy and climate policy experts, she has directed national policy, communications, and grassroots campaigns leading advocacy efforts with the Administration and Congress on tax, appropriations, authorization, and climate change policy for national and international NGOs and corporations.
Prior to starting AnnDyl Policy Group, she held positions as the Policy Expert on Energy and Climate Change for ERM, a multi-national environmental consultancy firm; the Director of Government and Public Affairs for Owens Corning, a Fortune 500 company that is a leader in insulation technologies; and, the Senior Director of Policy for the Alliance to Save Energy. Kara has been elected to the board of various energy and environmental groups and coalitions; and, has used her contacts with the non-profit community to assist industry in stakeholder engagement to advance clean and efficient energy policy. Kara has also worked on the Climate Change Campaign for the World Wildlife Fund as well as in the offices of Rep. Lynn C. Woolsey (D-Calif.) and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).
Kara has testified before congressional committees on energy policy and appeared in a variety of media, including: Fox News, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, CNBC, Business Week, USA Today, and The New York Times. She also appears in podcasts and as a news guest for National Public Radio. She has authored numerous articles on energy policy for trade publications and provided many keynote and panel presentations on energy and climate policy. She has also led delegations and ran strategy efforts at numerous UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP) meetings.
Kara holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego. She is fluent in English and French.
Audrey Bragg
Director of Policy, E4TheFuture
As Senior Manager for State and Federal Policy, Audrey Bragg works on clean energy equity and solutions, conducting analysis of policies and proposed regulations while also bringing awareness of the energy efficiency workforce to the forefront of policy discussions. Bragg manages policy projects focused on education, emerging regulation, and opportunities for common-sense solutions. She also oversees the efforts of E4TheFuture policy associates and fellowship program. Prior to E4TheFuture, she gained valuable insight into the clean energy world working for CSG in 2013. Additionally, she worked at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources where she focused on construction of wind turbines on farmland within the Commonwealth, as well as nationally. She earned her J.D., with an Energy and Environmental law focus, from New England Law in Boston
Deb Harris
Senior Director, Climate Planning and Climate Center Senior Fellow, ICF
Deb works across subnational governments and utilities to develop and implement climate action and energy plans and conduct decarbonization scenarios analyses. She leads multi-sector analyses, stakeholder and public engagement, report development, implementation planning, and identification of funding opportunities. Over the past 15 years Deb has worked extensively with the energy sector; carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration; sustainability data and metrics; fluorinated greenhouse gases; climate risks; and greenhouse gas monitoring, reporting, and verification at the facility-level. Deb works with a broad range of domestic and international clients including the state of Delaware, Oregon, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, New York City, the City of Philadelphia, Arlington County, Fairfax County, the City of Los Angeles, National Grid and Duke Energy. She also has supported the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute, the World Bank Partnership for Market Readiness, and C2ES, among others.
Randy Satterfield
Executive Director, NextGen Highways
Randy is helping to lead the NextGen Highways initiative, working with stakeholders to re-examine the use of existing rights-of-way for co-location of transmission and communications infrastructure. He has more than 20 years of energy industry experience, including helping to site and permit hundreds of miles of transmission lines. Randy helps organizations build sustainable growth, solve problems and deliver results for their stakeholders. As a strategic leader, he’s led diverse teams to position organizations for success. Randy also works with clients to deliver clean energy and decarbonization solutions.
Hilary Pearson
Vice President, Policy and External Affairs, LineVision
Hilary Pearson has been working on clean energy policy for nearly two decades. Passionate about the technology and policy solutions needed to accelerate the clean energy transition, she has served in key roles in the utility sector, the solar industry, and the US Senate, starting her career working for the former Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works committee, where she held a variety of legislative and field-based roles.
Hilary holds a BA in Political Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo as well as a Program Certificate from U.C. Berkeley in Corporate Social Responsibility.
Hilary lives in Chicago and is the mom to two young sons, who share their moms love for the outdoors and motivate her to make the world a better place.
Chris Yunker
Managing Director, Resiliency, Clean Transportation and Analytics, Hawaii State Energy Office
Chris Yunker is the Managing Director for Resiliency, Clean Transportation, and Analytics for the Hawaii State Energy Office. Mr. Yunker is an energy industry professional with a broad range of experience in a variety of functions and roles including start-ups, venture capital, and central station power plant development. Most recently Chris was the Rates and Analysis Manager for San Diego Gas & Electric where he oversaw rate design, forecasting and load analysis. Prior to that he held positions at SDG&E in Strategic Planning, Finance, RD&D, and Resource Planning. In these roles he oversaw the development of applications and served as an expert witness in proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission covering topics ranging from rate policy, rate design, procurement and finance. In addition Mr. Yunker has worked for Sempra Connections which installed micro-turbines in combined heat and power applications on the customer side of the meter as well as for GEA Power Cooling Systems, Inc. which developed condensing systems for steam turbines in utility scale central station power plants. He has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from University of California – San Diego and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He is also a professional engineer (PE) in mechanical engineering and a certified energy manager (CEM) through the association of energy engineers.
Matt Kelly
Director, Energy Markets, ICF
Jamie Donovan
Program Analyst, Energy Administration, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment
Jamie Donovan leads the development and implementation of the District of Columbia’s comprehensive energy plan, which covers the energy, building and transportation sectors. Prior to joining the Department of Energy and Environment, Jamie worked on smart buildings and energy efficiency programs for municipal facilities at the DC Department of General Services, where he developed the agency’s first energy management training program. He began his career at the World Bank, supporting the development of renewable energy projects in low-income countries.
Josh Elliott
Director, Division of Policy and Programs, New Hampshire Department of Energy
Josh Elliott serves as the Director of the Division of Policy and Programs at the New Hampshire Department of Energy. The Division is responsible for a variety of assistance programs, sustainable energy programs, as well as the new federal funds made available from the IIJA and IRA. It is also tasked with drafting and updating the state’s State Energy Strategy. Prior to his work at the department, he worked for the New Hampshire State Senate in a variety of policy roles, including Deputy Chief of Staff. Josh graduated from Saint Anselm College with honors and earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago. In addition to his work at the Department, he serves as Governor Chris Sununu's designee on the Drinking Water Groundwater Trust Fund Advisory Commission and on the Bureau of Energy Management’s Gulf of Maine Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force.
Megan Levy
State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Project Manager, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Energy
Prior to joining The US Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) State, Local, Tribal, Territorial team in September of 2022, Megan spent two decades in energy efficiency, security, and resilience both with the low-income weatherization program and with the Wisconsin State Energy Office as Energy Emergency Assurance Coordinator and Resilience Strategist. From 2017 through 2022, Megan served as the Co-Chair of the NASEO Energy Security Committee. Formerly a member of the Board of Directors, Megan Energy serves on the Midwest Renewable Association Advisory Board. Megan is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Carrie Hearne
Associate Director, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Virginia Department of Energy
Carrie Hearne serves as Associate Director at Virginia Department of Energy. In addition to overseeing much of the renewable energy division’s operations, this new role includes advancing equity and access within Virginia’s energy system and providing technical assistance to local governments throughout the Commonwealth. Projects include setting up a new Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) Solar Fund; ensuring broad access to shared solar programs; assessing impacts on the energy transition within economically disadvantaged communities; and working to implement key state and federal programs.
Originally from rural West Virginia, Carrie moved to Virginia in 2019 after working for over a decade on climate policy and sustainable business operations in Portland, Oregon. Carrie holds an MBA in sustainable systems from Presidio Graduate School and a Bachelor’s degree from Earlham College. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance and lives in a solar-powered home in Richmond, Virginia, with her two dogs Timber and Odie.
Brian Selinger
Director, Energy Office, Iowa Economic Development Authority
Brian Selinger is the Director of the Iowa Energy Office, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). The Energy Office manages a diverse mix of state, federal and utility-funded programs and initiatives that provide energy-economic benefits for Iowa’s citizens, businesses, and organizations. Brian led the daily activities in the development of the state’s most comprehensive, strategic energy roadmap, the Iowa Energy Plan.
Brian joined IEDA in 2015 after serving as the Deputy Director of Policy and Research for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Brian’s professional experience includes work with Lockheed Martin as part of an Energy Efficiency partnership with a utility.
The Honorable Allison Clements
Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Commissioner Allison Clements joined the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in December 2020 following a range of public and private sector experience in energy law and grid modernization policy. Prior to her current role, she worked at Energy Foundation, Goodgrid LLC, and Natural Resources Defense Council. She began her legal career in private practice at Troutman Sanders LLP and Chadbourne & Parke LLP. Over the course of her career, her clients have included utilities, independent power producers, developers, lenders, nonprofits, and philanthropies.
Commissioner Clements has also served as a federal energy expert in several capacities, including as a member of a National Academies of Sciences committee on grid resilience and as a clinical visiting lecturer at Yale Law School. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctorate from The George Washington University Law School.
The Honorable David Turk
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy
Prior to his nomination as Deputy Secretary, Turk was the Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), where he focused on helping countries around the world tackle their clean energy transitions. He also directed reports on the digitalization of energy systems, the future of clean hydrogen, and a project tracking progress on a wide range of clean energy technologies.
During the Obama-Biden Administration, Turk coordinated international technology and clean energy efforts at DOE. During this time, he helped spearhead the launch of Mission Innovation—a global effort to enhance clean energy innovation.
Turk also served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director at the U.S. National Security Council, where he coordinated interagency legislative affairs efforts by the full range of national security agencies and provided legislative advice to National Security Council decision-making. He also previously worked at the U.S. Department of State, including as Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change and helping to coordinate New Start Treaty ratification efforts in the U.S. Senate.
Earlier in his career, Turk worked in both the U.S. Senate, primarily on national security issues, and as the Staff Director of the National Security Subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee.
Turk was born in Quito, Ecuador and raised in Rock Falls, Illinois. He is a graduate of both the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Virginia Law School.
Nicole Steele
Senior Advisor, Energy Justice and Workforce, Solar Energy Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy
Nicole Steele is a nationally recognized leader and expert in clean energy with a focus on frontline communities and workforce development. She has 20 years of experience working with government officials, policymakers, advocates, and entrepreneurs to develop and implement inclusive clean energy policies and programs. She is currently the Senior Advisor on Energy Justice and Workforce for the Solar Energy Technologies Office at the U.S. Department of Energy and the head of the National Community Solar Partnership. She was the founding executive director of GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic, policy director at the Alliance to Save Energy, and ran the EECBG program for Loudoun County Virginia. She started her career in affordable housing, community planning, and politics. She is an AmeriCorps alumni and passionate supporter of community service.
Michael Judge
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Coalition for Community Solar Access
Mike Judge has served as the Vice President for Policy at the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) since September 2021. In this capacity, Mike oversees CCSA’s Policy Team, working at the federal level and across more than 20 states on policy and regulatory issues that impact community solar. Prior to his time at CCSA, Mike spent 12 years in various roles in Massachusetts state government, including over two years at the Department of Public Utilities as Director of Electric Power, Regional, and Federal Affairs, and nine years at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, four of which were as the Director of its Renewable and Alternative Energy Division. He is a graduate of UMass Amherst.
Julie Staveland
Manager Sustainability Section, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Julie is the Manager of the Sustainability Section within the Materials Management Division of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and currently the Acting Director of the Michigan State Energy Program. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the Energy Services, Recycling, and Pollution Prevention units and the various grant programs and technical assistance they offer. Programs range from energy efficiency and renewable energy, recycling infrastructure, the electrification of medium and heavy-duty vehicles, to installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the state. Julie is also the current Infrastructure Coordinator for EGLE, as well as overseeing the Catalyst Communities Initiative. Julie has over 10 years of federal and state grant management experience, and prior to her current position she was the State Energy Program Specialist.
Born and raised in Michigan, Julie lived in Alaska for 18 years where she received a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Alaska Southeast. She and her husband have 4 children, they love to spend time with outdoors and working on their garden. Julie is passionate about working with communities and businesses to meet them where they are on their decarbonization journey and to help them prepare for a clean energy future.
Tony Morgan
Deputy Director, Office of Energy, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Tony Morgan serves as the Deputy Director for Florida’s Office of Energy. The office is responsible for the development of energy policy and programs for the state as well as promoting the use of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies. Mr. Morgan’s responsibilities include supervision and oversight of policy development, program and grant design, and legislative tracking. Prior to joining the Department, he worked for the State of Florida’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program.
Brandi Martin
Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Energy
Brandi Martin is a new addition to the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response (CESER) team, bringing experience working with State Energy Offices and a cybersecurity background. Within CESER, Brandi focuses on energy security planning and emergency preparedness with state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) governments. Brandi joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in 2016 as a Project Officer. In this role, she worked with State Energy Offices on innovative projects to achieve their energy goals. She also serves as the co-Director for a DOE Employee Resource Group, fostering connections for women at DOE and supporting professional growth opportunities for women in the workforce.
Prior to DOE, Brandi served as the Partner Engagement Director at the Smart Cities Council, where she managed industry-leading energy and technology partners, and engaged city government leaders. She also has 7 years of experience at Cisco Systems in engineering, sales and business development roles. Brandi received her B.S. in Information Systems Management from the University of California Santa Cruz and her M.S. in Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins University.
Greg Todd
Director, Utah Office of Energy Development
Alison Hahn
Director, Office of Nuclear Deployment, Reactor Fleet and Advanced Reactor Deployment Office, Office of Nuclear, U.S. Department of Energy
Alison Hahn has been with the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy since 2011. She has managed several programs including the Advanced Methods for Manufacturing and the Nuclear Science User Facilities within the Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies program and, most recently, the Light Water Reactor Sustainability program. Currently, she is the acting Director for Nuclear Reactor Deployment which is focused on modernizing technologies and approaches applicable to both advanced reactors and light water reactors and supporting the deployment of a variety of advanced reactor designs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from John Hopkins University.
Jason Lanclos
Director, Technology Assessment Division, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Jason Lanclos, P.E. (Jason) has worked at the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) since August of 2018. After serving as the Deputy Executive Director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) for the Governor’s Office since 2014, Mr. Lanclos took the opportunity to return to working in the oil and gas and emerging energy technologies sector at LDNR after working in private industry for almost 13 years. Mr. Lanclos currently serves as the director of the State Energy Office and Technology Assessment Division of LDNR. Mr. Lanclos is currently serving as the coalition representative for the State and Midwest region on CCUS technologies and is a central board member for the National Association of State Energy Officials. Mr. Lanclos has worked on and managed a variety of projects/programs in the oil and gas sector during his time in private industry and managed one of the largest ecosystem restoration efforts for the State of Louisiana while at CPRA. He holds a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Louisiana State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer.
Brad Crabtree
Assistant Secretary, Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, U.S. Department of Energy
Mr. Brad Crabtree is the Assistant Secretary for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), where he leads and directs FECM’s research and development programs and oversees the Office of Petroleum Reserves.
Mr. Crabtree brings nearly three decades of experience in energy and climate policy to his role as Assistant Secretary. Prior to coming to DOE, he served as Vice President for Carbon Management at the Great Plains Institute (GPI), where he cofounded and directed the Carbon Capture Coalition, which works to advance carbon management technologies to meet climate goals, create high-wage jobs, and support domestic energy and industrial production.
At GPI, Mr. Crabtree also helped launch the bipartisan State Carbon Capture Work Group to foster deployment of carbon capture and CO2 transport infrastructure, and he led GPI’s efforts to establish the Industrial Innovation Initiative aimed at decarbonizing key industries. Additionally, he co-directed Powering the Plains, a project that crafted a comprehensive 50-year regional blueprint for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon capture.
Mr. Crabtree previously coordinated energy policy advisory groups for the Midwestern Governors Association and facilitated the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord Advisory Group for six governors and the premier of Manitoba. He has also led multiple overseas delegations of U.S. policymakers and private sector leaders to examine other countries’ policies and experience in carbon management and renewable energy technology.
A North Dakota native, Mr. Crabtree is a graduate of the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and has an MA in history from Johns Hopkins University.
Alexa Voytek
Deputy Director, Programs, Innovation and Transportation, Communications, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Alexa serves as the Principal Investigator for the U.S. DOE State Energy Program (SEP) in Tennessee, oversees TDEC OEP’s energy in transportation programming, and administers the State’s initial allocation under the VW Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust. Alexa also serves as the Coordinator for U.S. DOE’s Clean Cities Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, through which she acts as a technical resource for fleets and individuals evaluating alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. Alexa serves on the leadership team for the National Association of State Energy Officials' Transportation Committee and is an Advisory Group member for the National Association of State Energy Officials' Energy Technology Innovation Project. She serves as the Governor’s designee to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Regional Energy Resource Council, which provides guidance on how TVA manages its energy resources against competing objectives and values. Prior to joining TDEC, Alexa interned with the UN Division for Sustainable Development and the U.S. Consulate in St. Petersburg, Russia. Most recently, Alexa served as Asst. Account Executive for the public relations firm Ketchum, Inc., where she was assigned to energy and technology related projects. Alexa holds an M.A. from Columbia University in Russian, Eastern European, Balkan, and Eurasian Studies and graduated summa cum laude from Duke University, with a B.A. in History and Russian Language / Area Studies.
Dr. Rachael Nealer
Deputy Director, U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
Dr. Rachael Nealer is the deputy director for the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. She also chairs the Transportation Research Board’s Alternative Fuels and Technologies Committee. Throughout her career, she has focused on researching transportation as a system of systems and developing strategies around how to decarbonize transportation through technology development in concert with supporting policies.
Previously, she held various positions, including deputy director of transportation technology and policy for the White House Council on Environmental Quality and senior advisor and chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell, and Vehicle Technologies Offices. She has also worked in the nonprofit sector, at the Union of Concerned Scientists, researching the lifetime environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to gasoline vehicles. Before that, she worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuels Standard Office.
She received her joint doctorate in civil and environmental engineering and engineering and public policy from Carnegie Mellon University, where she specialized in the lifecycle environmental impacts of transportation.
Curt Rich
President and Chief Executive Officer, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
As President and CEO of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), which represents the $8 billion U.S. fiber glass and mineral wool insulation industry, Curt oversees all activities relating to the promotion of fiber glass and mineral wool insulation to all key stakeholders including policymakers, code officials, building industry professionals and consumers. In addition, he champions policies and legislation that encourage the use of insulation to increase energy efficiency and sustainability.
Prior to joining NAIMA in July 2014, Curt was Vice President of Energy and Environmental Policy for United Technologies Corporation (UTC), responsible for directing government affairs objectives for UTC’s building and industrial systems businesses, which included Carrier and Otis Elevator.
Curt is a former partner at the Washington, D.C. based law and policy firm of Van Ness Feldman where he represented companies, trade associations and local governments on issues related to tax policy, energy, the environment and natural resources. He also previously served as legislative counsel to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and as legislative counsel to U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), where he advised the senator on a wide range of policy issues.
Curt holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Whitman College and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Montana.
Rebecca Respicio
Director, Guam Energy Office
Kristofor Anderson
Director of Energy Resources, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
Julie Kempf
Policy Analyst, Indiana Office of Energy Development
In March 2020, Julie Kempf joined the Indiana Office of Energy Development as a policy analyst to support the state’s comprehensive energy policy and development. Julie has extensive experience in state government, leadership, strategic planning, and agency management. Her current role has a variety of responsibilities, including research and analysis of statewide energy topics and policies, strategic planning, outreach, and coordination of federal programs and initiatives.
Prior to joining Indiana OED, Julie worked with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources providing oversight of grant and compliance programs as well as serving as on national committees as a liaison for regional state and federal assistance policy coordinators. Julie was a recipient of the Innovation, Design, Efficiency Award (IDEA) in 2012 for a unique approach to leveraging federal grants and saving millions of dollars. In 2018, Julie completed the Certified Public Manager program. Her education also includes a Master of Public Affairs and Master of Environmental Science from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
Vincent Barnes
Senior Vice President, Policy and Research, Alliance to Save Energy
As Senior Vice President of Policy and Research (SVP) for the Alliance to Save Energy, Vincent is the organization’s primary policy lead, responsible for working with the President, Board of Directors and staff to ensure that the Alliance to Save Energy is the leading voice on energy efficiency policy in Washington, D.C. As a respected government affairs professional with over 20 years of policy and executive leadership experience, Vincent has an extensive track record engaging members of Congress, participating in regulatory rulemaking, legislative development, and stakeholder engagement. His leadership record also includes developing and executing policy campaigns, and building consensus through multiple stakeholder and organization interests.
Prior to joining the Alliance to Save Energy Vincent served as Senior Advisor with Gray Global Advisors, where he developed and executed policy objectives for the investor-owned utility, natural gas, and nuclear energy industries, and helped lead the firm’s energy and power, telecommunications, financial services, and healthcare portfolios. Vincent is also former Legislative Counsel to Congressman Bobby Rush, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy. Vincent also served as Senior Federal Legislative Counsel with the American Bankers Association.
Vincent holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brigham Young University, and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law.
Janet McCabe
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Janet McCabe is the Deputy Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She returns to EPA after spending seven years working as Acting Assistant Administrator and Principal Deputy to the Assistant Administrator in the Office of Air and Radiation under President Barack Obama.
Prior to rejoining EPA, Janet McCabe was a Professor of Practice at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law and Director of the IU Environmental Resilience Institute, where she started as Assistant Director for Policy and Implementation in 2017. Her work at Indiana University centered on establishing innovative, research-informed, and actionable solutions to reduce environmental risks and help protect the health of communities and families.
Over the course of her career, McCabe has spent time working for state environmental agencies in Massachusetts and her long-time adopted home state of Indiana, with a focus on implementation of the Clean Air Act and other air quality issues. Prior to joining EPA in November 2009, McCabe was Executive Director of Improving Kids’ Environment, Inc., a children’s environmental health advocacy organization based in Indianapolis.
McCabe knows firsthand through these experiences that programs to improve public health and protect our environment are strongest when they are informed by a diversity of perspectives, and rooted in science, transparency, and the law.
McCabe grew up in Washington, D.C. and graduated from Harvard College in 1980 and Harvard Law School in 1983. From 1983 to 1984 she clerked for Justice Neil L. Lynch of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
She and her husband have three children and two grandchildren.
Dr. Anjuli Jain Figueroa
Chief Scientist, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, U.S. Department of Energy
Anjuli Jain Figueroa (she/her) is currently an AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow working in DOE’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity focusing on energy and environmental justice. Previously, Dr. Jain Figueroa was the Associate Director at GreenInfo Network, a non-profit that specializes in mapping and geospatial data analysis in the public interest. Dr. Jain Figueroa received her B.S from the University of Michigan, a MS in Technology and Policy, and her Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She studied water resources management and sustainable agriculture. She also worked as a postdoctoral research associate at Stanford studying and modelling the Food-Water-Energy nexus. Dr. Jain Figueroa has worked in the private, academic, non-profit, and now, governmental sector and enjoys comparing their unique solutions to similar problems. Throughout her career Dr. Jain Figueroa has seen how representation and mentorship influence career paths. She has actively participated organizations that promote and support minority groups in STEM including Women in Science and Engineering, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Stanford Latino Postdoc Association, and 500 Women Scientists.
Monisha Shah
Equity Lead, U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
Jessie Lund
Truck Program Manager, CALSTART
Jessie Lund is CALSTART’s Truck Program Manager. In this position, she partners with industry and public agencies to help ensure that zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure are available, affordable, and dependable.
Prior to joining CALSTART, Jessie worked for RMI’s Carbon-Free Mobility program, where she partnered closely with the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE).
Noel Cristostomo
Physical Scientist, Office of Policy, U.S. Department of Energy
Noel Crisostomo is a Physical Scientist in the Office of Policy at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he analyzes clean transportation markets and advises policymakers on the deployment of infrastructure to help realize the nation’s climate change and energy security goals. For ten years prior to DOE, Noel spearheaded transportation electrification regulations in California. At the Energy Commission he coordinated policy analysis, technology research and standardization, investment design, demand forecasting, and led the team authoring the inaugural Statewide Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Assessment. At the Public Utilities Commission he oversaw of the design of dynamic electricity rates, EV and charging incentives, and innovations to integrate transportation with the grid. Noel was a Schneider Sustainable Energy Fellow at Rocky Mountain Institute and supported efficiency and advanced metering initiatives at San Diego Gas & Electric. Noel has B.S. and M.S. degrees in energy science and policy from the Earth Systems Program at Stanford University.
Mark Glick
Chief Energy Officer, Hawaii State Energy Office
Sara Bazemore
Director, State Energy Office, South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
Sara Pendarvis Bazemore is Director of the South Carolina Energy Office, within the Office of Regulatory Staff. Her team promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transportation through funding, education, technical assistance, and collaborative outreach efforts, while serving as an energy data clearinghouse. The State Energy Office implements strategies that maximize environmental quality and energy conservation and efficiency and minimize the cost of energy throughout the state.
Prior to joining the Energy Office in 2021, Sara practiced environmental and regulatory law for over 15 years both in the private and public sector. She spent much of her career in the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Office of General Counsel (DHEC-OGC). She prepared, negotiated, and litigated environmental matters before South Carolina’s Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and other judicial and quasi-judicial forums, including appeals involving the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, coastal law, CERCLA and more. Additionally, Sara served as the Deputy Director of the SC Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management (DHEC-OCRM). In between her terms within the DHEC-OGC, Sara gained valuable insight and experience as an attorney in the private sector with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough and most recently with D’Alberto Graham & Grimsley.
As a native Charlestonian, Sara developed a passion for the environment and public policy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina, where she was awarded the prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. She earned a Certificate of Biblical Studies from Columbia International University (Seminary). Later, Sara earned her MEERM/JD dual degree (Master of Earth and Environmental Resources Management from the USC School of the Environment, along with a Juris Doctor from the USC School of Law). Sara is also an adjunct professor at USC’s School of Law, where she teaches Energy Law and Environmental Law in SC.
Lisa Jacobson
President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy
Lisa Jacobson serves as the President of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), a 55 member trade association representing the energy efficiency, renewable energy and natural gas industries. Ms. Jacobson has advised states and federal policymakers on energy, tax, air quality and climate change issues. She is a member of the Department of Energy’s State Energy Efficiency Steering Committee, the United States Trade Representative’s Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee and Gas Technology Institute’s Public Interest Advisory Committee.
Ms. Jacobson has testified before Congress and has represented energy industries before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Prior to her position with the BCSE, Ms. Jacobson was a legislative aide to the U.S. Congress; received a Master’s in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science; and a Bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont.
Ed Carley
Senior Program Director, Buildings, National Association of State Energy Officials
Ed Carley works with State Energy Offices to support policy and program development in building energy efficiency, including ENERGY STAR for buildings, building energy codes, home energy labeling, and other areas. Prior to NASEO, he consulted with a California municipal utility on energy efficiency program design, and interned with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy supporting a research paper investigating Measurement and Verification 2.0 topics. Mr. Carley received his Bachelor of Science in political science from Appalachian State University and a Master of Sustainability Management from American University.
Sushma Masemore
Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Environment and State Energy Director, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Sushma Masemore serves as DEQ’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment and the State Energy Director. She has 29 years of public and private sector experience related to environment, energy, and climate.
As a consultant, Sushma designed pollution control equipment and led demonstration projects with industries, technology developers, and energy companies. In state government, Sushma managed a team of engineers and scientists to develop air quality rules and Clean Air Act mandated state implementation plans.
In her current role, Sushma is leading implementation of Governor Cooper’s Executive Order on climate and energy through impact assessments, clean energy planning, and resiliency measures. As the State Energy Director, Sushma oversees programs related to low-income weatherization assistance, energy planning, and energy efficiency.
Sushma has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Maryland Baltimore County, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in NC.
Dr. Will Toor
Executive Director, Colorado Energy Office
In January 2019, Will Toor joined the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) as its Executive Director appointed by Governor Jared Polis. Will’s background spans transportation electrification, sustainable transportation, smart growth, electric vehicle policy, clean energy finance, green building policy, local government policy and regional planning. Prior to CEO, Will was Transportation Program Director at the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). Before SWEEP, Will served as Boulder County Commissioner for eight years where he led the effort to create and adopt a countywide Sustainable Energy Plan, the BuildSmart green building code, the EnergySmart program, and the ClimateSmart Loan Program. Prior to being elected Boulder County Commissioner, Will served as Mayor of Boulder for six years where he developed Boulder's community transit network, EcoPass unlimited access transit pass programs, and policies for denser, mixed-use urban infill development as an alternative to sprawl. Will previously served on and chaired the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG). He was appointed by Governor Ritter to the state Transportation Funding and Implementation blue ribbon panel, the Governor's Climate Action Panel, and the Regional Air Quality Council. He was appointed by Governor Hickenlooper to the Air Quality Control Commission and the state oil and gas taskforce. Will spent 12 years as Director of the University of Colorado Environmental Center, where he developed campus sustainability programs in the areas of solid waste, building energy use, and transportation planning. Will holds a BS in Physics from Carnegie Mellon University and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago.
Joe Pater
Director, Office of Energy Innovation, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Shaun Sagle
Energy Programs Manager, Office of Energy and Environment, Ohio Department of Development
Shaun Sagle is the Energy Programs Manager for the Office of Energy and Environment (OEE), within the Ohio Department of Development. His team promotes energy efficiency measures through various programs, including the Ohio State Energy Program (SEP), Energy Loan Fund (ELF), Loan Loss Reserve (LLR) and Coal Research. They will also be responsible for the upcoming federal funding opportunities awarded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Currently, many of the programs put an emphasis but are not limited to Ohio schools and hospitals.
Prior to joining OEE in July of 2022, Shaun worked at Volunteer Energy Services, Inc for 12 years. There, he was responsible for the day-to-day activities, including overseeing agent contracts, as well as many other areas of operations.
He has lived in the Columbus, OH area his entire life, and currently resides in Pickerington, OH. Shaun attended Capital University, in Bexley, OH, where he played baseball, and graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in Marketing.
Brian George
Global Energy Market Development and Policy, US Federal Lead, Google
Chad Eaton
Director of Government Affairs, Nucor Corporation
Chad joined Nucor in February 2017 as the company’s State Government Affairs Manager, advocating the corporation’s policies and legislation impacting Nucor’s more than 31,000 teammates and 300 locations at the state and local level. In November 2020, Chad was promoted to his current role of Director of Government Affairs.
In his position, Chad oversees implementation of Nucor’s public affairs policies and leads the company’s energy and environmental public policy efforts as the largest recycler in North America. Chad also manages Nucor Corporation’s relationship with multiple State Legislative Associations, as well as its third party business and industry associations at the state level.
Prior to joining Nucor, Chad was Manager of Federal Government Affairs at Duke Energy Corporation. He also previously served as Director of Public Affairs in the Office of U.S. Representative Heath Shuler, and has held associate pastor positions in Baptist churches in North and South Carolina, and Alabama.
Chad graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Samford University. He is married to Kim and they have a son, Cole.
Alan Zelenka
Assistant Director for Planning and Innovation, Oregon Department of Energy
Alan is the Assistant Director for Planning and Innovation at the Oregon Department of Energy. His team works on energy efficiency, renewable resources, sustainable transportation, energy planning, and climate change issues.
Before joining ODOE he was the Energy Services Leader for Kennedy/Jenks Consultants for over 10 years, a consulting firm where he worked with clients all over the west on climate change, energy efficiency, and renewables.
Prior to that Alan worked at Emerald PUD in Eugene for over 21 years, where he was the Power Manager.
Alan Zelenka graduated with a degree in political-economy from UC Berkeley, and got his master’s degree in energy planning and policy from the University of Oregon.
In his spare time, Alan is in his fourth term as a Eugene City Councilor.
Malcolm Woolf
President and Chief Executive Officer, National Hydropower Association
Malcolm Woolf is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hydropower Association.
Woolf comes to NHA after decades of experience in the energy and environment field. He was a Senior Vice President with Advanced Energy Economy and has extensive markets experience. He served in a cabinet level position for Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley where he worked to promote affordable, reliable, clean energy, and he also led energy policy for the National Governors Association.
Woolf has experience in both the executive branch and Capitol Hill having served at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and as a Congressional committee staff member.
Woolf earned his law degree, as well as a Masters of Public Administration and Public Policy, from the University of Virginia. He holds a B.A. magna cum laude from Tufts University, with a year at Pembroke College, Oxford University.
Malcolm is the supporting NHA staff member for the CEO Council.
Jennifer Macedonia
Associate Deputy Assistant Administrator for Implementation, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Jennifer Macedonia serves as the Associate Deputy Assistant Administrator for Implementation at the EPA, where she is responsible for leading implementation of the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR). This includes implementation, coordination, and engagement for OAR’s IRA provisions, such as the climate pollution reduction grants program, the clean ports and heavy-duty vehicles mobile source programs, the methane emissions reduction program, funding to address air pollution and hydrofluorocarbons, as well as internal funding for EPA programs that promote low emissions electricity and improve the transparency of corporate greenhouse gas reporting standards.
Ms. Macedonia was originally appointed to the Biden-Harris administration in June 2021 as Deputy Associate Administrator for Policy in the Office of the Administrator. In this prior leadership role, she guided policy on climate change and environmental justice across a range of areas including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, federal sustainability, and environmentally responsible infrastructure deployment and critical supply chains.
With her expertise at the nexus of policy and engineering, she has advanced environmental policy and clean energy solutions for more than 25 years, including a decade at the EPA. As principal of JLM Environmental Consulting, Ms. Macedonia co-authored the EPA blueprint for the Climate 21 Project as part of a whole-of-government approach to climate action. She also advised non-profits, universities, and governmental organizations on decarbonizing the transportation, power, and industrial sectors. As a senior advisor for the Bipartisan Policy Center, Ms. Macedonia directed projects on clean energy, reliability, and environmental regulation and advised state government leaders on power sector analyses and policies. In her prior service at the EPA, Macedonia served as an expert on U.S. delegations to international climate negotiations, working to ensure the accountability, transparency, and effectiveness of global climate action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. She also led rulemaking, policy, and implementation teams for the EPA’s highly effective Acid Rain Program. Macedonia received her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University.
Curtis Thayer
Executive Director, Alaska Energy Authority
Curtis W. Thayer is the executive director of the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), the state's energy office and lead agency for statewide energy policy and program development. Prior to AEA, Thayer served as president and chief executive officer of the Alaska Chamber, the largest state trade association.
Previous to that position, he served as Commissioner for the Department of Administration and as a cabinet member for Governor Sean Parnell, with responsibility for 1,100 public employees and an annual budget of $350 million. Additionally, his public service includes time as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development and working in Washington, D.C. with Congressman Don Young and Senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski.
Before public service, Thayer worked on the management team of ENSTAR Natural Gas Company and for the Alaska Gas Producers Pipeline Team.
Thayer has served on boards at Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, Alaska Retirement Management Board, Alaska Royalty Oil and Gas Development Advisory Board, U.S. Chambers’ Committee of 100, and currently chairs the Alaska Board of Marine Pilots.