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Members of new SEEC Institute board ‘bring expertise across climate policy’

Rebecca Barnabi
climate change
(© Nicola – stock.adobe.com)

The Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Institute (SEEC Institute) announced the first 10 members of its new Board of Directors yesterday.

The new board includes four sitting members of Congress, including Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, two former cabinet members, and leaders in civil society and the private sector.

“I’m honored to have these distinguished members of SEEC Institute’s inaugural Board of Directors,” SEEC Institute Executive Director Max Frankel said. “The board is comprised of accomplished, experienced, and knowledgeable leaders who bring expertise across climate policy, industry and advocacy. I look forward to working with them to ensure SEEC Institute is effective and successful in its ambitious agenda.”

The board includes Clinton Britt, who will serve as board president and is president of Grove Climate Group, Congresswoman Doris Matsui of California, Congressman Paul Tonko of New York, Congresswoman Kathy Castor of Florida, McClellan, who represents Virginia’s District 4, Ernie Moniz, Founder and CEO of EFI Foundation who is also former Secretary of Energy, Lisa P. Jackson, Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives at Apple and former EPA Administrator, Ian Harrison, president of Bipartisan Climate Action, Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer for Johnson Controls, Sam Ricketts, who is a former founding Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), and co-founder and partner of S2 Strategies.

“SEEC Institute is strategically positioned to tackle climate change and clean energy challenges both in the near and long-term. By focusing on convenings, policy development, travel, and professional development, SEEC Institute aims to provide decision-makers the expertise and connections they need to empower action. Today’s announcement, coupled with the hiring of our first Executive Director earlier this year, are proof positive of the momentum and impact SEEC Institute is already making. It is an honor to be a part of such a talented and visionary team,” Britt said.

Matsui said she is excited that the new Institute is an opportunity to bring together members of Congress and experts.

“The SEEC Institute board reflects these diverse perspectives, with a range of thought leaders from both inside and outside Congress. This leadership will allow SEEC Institute to develop the big policy ideas we need to fight the climate crisis and ensure a habitable world for our children,” Matsui said.

According to Tonko, the SEEC Institute stands out today because of its “exceptional team and ability to forge meaningful public-private deliberations- paving the way for thoughtful environmental and clean energy policy solutions. By fostering these critical connections between the private sector and policymakers, SEEC Institute is well positioned to be the preeminent thought leader in the climate, environment and clean energy policy space for years to come.”

Castor said the Institute will play a pivotal role in convening climate and environmental champions in Congress, NGOs and the private sector to bring about policy solutions.

“I hope to support the Institute’s work in addressing the key challenges of our warming planet, including supporting community resilience and building a cleaner, stronger electricity grid,” Castor said.

McClellan looks forward to serving on the board as a long-term climate and environmental advocate.

“SEEC Institute will provide members of Congress with exciting and informative programming to learn more about climate and environmental challenges, impacts on communities and how we can respond through thoughtful, forward-looking policy solutions,” McClellan said.

For Moniz, the Institute “will play a much-needed role in bringing together a diverse leadership group, including members of Congress, to help devise actionable policy solutions addressing climate change and the clean energy transition needed in the years and decades ahead.”

“At Apple, we are constantly innovating to achieve our ambitious climate goals. Today, we are carbon neutral and run our entire company on 100 percent clean energy and by 2030, our suppliers will produce Apple products with clean energy as well. The urgency of the climate challenge requires cross-sector partnership, and we’re committed to doing our part. I’m thrilled to be part of the SEEC Institute, which will help showcase the most effective technologies and equitable solutions driving momentum in the private sector, and serve as a critical resource for elected officials leading action on climate,” Jackson said.

Harrison said that the Institute is placed perfectly “to build strong connections between the private sector, Congress and environmental advocates. While events, travel and staff development are vital, I believe SEEC Institute’s potential to facilitate substantive policy discussion is essential to making clean energy solutions a reality.”

Cutting carbon and costs are the keys to accelerated climate action, according to McGinty.

“SEEC Institute will play an incredibly important role in educating Members of Congress and the public more broadly about promising technologies and partnership models that bolster competitiveness and climate action at the same time,” McGinty said.

Advancing pro-clean energy and climate action agenda in Congress is an essential role of the SEEC.

“SEEC Institute will empower lawmakers to make informed decisions on questions that determine the future of our nation and the planet. I’m proud to join with such a distinguished group of board members to support the institute in its critical mission,” Ricketts said.

SEEC Institute’s mission is to convene the private sector, Congress, leading climate and environmental advocates and other experts to facilitate more formal and regular connections between interested parties and stakeholders to secure the biggest climate and clean energy solutions possible.

The SEEC, founded in 2009, has grown to a group of more than 95 members of the House of Representatives that fight for climate and clean energy policies. Supporters of SEEC noticed limits in the group’s abilities to convene and advance priorities, so, in late 2023, SEEC Institute was established as a nonprofit organization.

House energy coalition announces first executive director for SEEC Institute (augustafreepress.com)

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca J. Barnabi is the national editor of Augusta Free Press. A graduate of the University of Mary Washington, she began her journalism career at The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. In 2013, she was awarded first place for feature writing in the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Awards Program, and was honored by the Virginia School Boards Association’s 2019 Media Honor Roll Program for her coverage of Waynesboro Schools. Her background in newspapers includes writing about features, local government, education and the arts.