REV2024: Innovative Partnerships to Advance the Energy Transition
Wednesday, October 16th, 2024 – 3:15-4:15 p.m.
This panel brings together leaders from the utility sector, academia, and the indigenous community who have challenged old assumptions and adopted innovative approaches to advance the clean energy transition. Partnerships include finding common ground between the hydropower industry and river conservationists and joint ownership of infrastructure as a model for engagement with Indigenous peoples.
Moderator: Rebecca Ramos, Senior Managing Associate, The Necrason Group
Rebecca has worked with some of Vermont’s finest political leaders since stepping into the Vermont political landscape in 1998. She was legal counsel and political liaison for Governor Howard Dean and then worked with now Senator Peter Welch when he was President Pro Tem of the Vermont Senate. Prior to joining Necrason Group, Rebecca completed a two-year stint as Chief of Staff for Vermont Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell. Rebecca also spent a number of years working with individuals, non-profits, and businesses on leadership development, strategic thinking, and mentoring.
Sponsored by Hydro-Quebec Energy Services (US)
Speakers
Dan Reicher
Senior Research Scholar, Stanford Woods Institute for Environment
Dan Reicher is an entrepreneur, investor, policymaker, lawyer and educator focused on clean energy and climate change. He has served three U.S. presidents, testified before the U.S. Congress more than 50 times, led the launch of Google’s pathbreaking climate and clean energy work, oversaw a $1.2 billion annual clean energy R&D budget as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy, and co-founded the nation’s first investment firm focused exclusively on renewable energy project finance.
Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer
Former Grand Chief, Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke
Advisor, consultant and First Nations advocate Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer is Kanien’kehá:ka, wolf clan and former Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke. She made history in 2021, when she was the first woman who also identifies as LGBTQ+ to ever be elected to the position. Before that she served her community on the Council for 12 years in four consecutive three-year terms of office. During her tenure as Grand Chief, she signed a historic deal with Hydro Quebec Energy Services for a partnership to bring clean renewable electricity to New York City.
Serge Abergel
COO, Hydro-Québec Energy Services (US)
Serge Abergel took office as Chief Operating Officer of Hydro-Québec Energy Services in 2021. This U.S. subsidiary is responsible for hydropower export initiatives to the New York and New England markets. Since joining Hydro-Québec in 2014, he has held various positions in media and stakeholder relations and government affairs. He has led information campaigns on the company’s export initiatives and is a frequent public speaker on Hydro-Québec’s clean energy generating fleet and transmission system. He was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of WaterPower Canada, a trade organization representing the hydropower industry, in 2022.