Despite uncertainty on climate policy in Washington, many of the largest states and municipalities across the United States remain committed to achieving their clean energy goals and working to fulfill our international climate commitments. New York is one state leading the way, having made news this summer when it rolled out a plan to draw half of its electricity from clean energy sources like wind and solar by 2030. To meet these goals, New York, California and other states and municipalities with similar goals must contend with a host of challenges: How will President-elect Trump’s proposed federal policy changes impact them? How will they integrate distributed sources into the grid? What incentives and payment structures should be used?
Join EPIC for a conversation with the person spearheading this effort for the state of New York, Richard Kauffman, and a premier expert in energy policy and economics, former Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Susan Tierney. The conversation will be moderated by EPIC Senior Fellow Pete Ogden.
Location:
Saieh Hall, Room 146
Cost: Free
Featuring
Richard Kauffman
Susan Tierney
Pete Ogden, Moderator
Richard Kauffman
Richard Kauffman joined the administration of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo as New York State’s first “energy czar” in February 2013. Mr. Kauffman oversees and manages New York State’s entire energy portfolio, including the New York State Department of Public Service, the New York Power Authority, the Long Island Power Authority, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). He was appointed chair of NYSERDA’s Board on June 19, 2013. Mr. Kauffman leads New York State’s comprehensive Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative. REV includes regulatory reform to restructure the energy and utility industry, a 10-year commitment to support local renewable energy and efficiency markets through the proposed creation of the Clean Energy Fund, and other initiatives such as NY Green Bank and the $1 billion NY-Sun solar programs.
Susan Tierney
Dr. Tierney is an expert on energy policy and economics, specializing in the electric and gas industries. She has consulted to companies, governments, nonprofits, and other organizations on energy markets, as well as economic and environmental regulation and strategy. Her expert witness and business consulting services have involved industry restructuring, market analyses, utility ratemaking and regulatory policy, clean energy regulatory policy, transmission issues, wholesale and retail market design, and resource planning and procurement. Dr. Tierney is a former assistant secretary for policy at the U.S. Department of Energy, state cabinet officer for environmental affairs, and state public utility commissioner. She chairs the External Advisory Board of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is a director of the World Resources Institute, and serves on other boards. She has published widely, frequently speaks at industry conferences, and has lectured at many leading universities.
Pete Ogden, Moderator
Pete Ogden is senior advisor and fellow at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC). He is also a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington DC, where his work focuses on international energy and climate policy. In 2012 and 2013, he was director for climate change and environmental policy on the White House National Security Council. Prior to that, he served on the White House Domestic Policy Council as senior director for energy and climate change and at the State Department as chief of staff to the special envoy for climate change. Before joining the Obama administration in 2009, he was chief of staff at the Center for American Progress. He also currently serves as senior advisor to the Rhodium Group.
