Our Experts

Dana Ammann

Policy Analyst, Sustainable FERC Project, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Dana Ammann leads the development of modeling, analyses, and materials to support NRDC's and Sustainable FERC Project's mission to decarbonize the U.S. power sector and deploy clean energy resources into America’s electricity transmission grid. She works on policy efforts related…

Sylvie Ashford

Schneider Sustainable Energy Fellow, Western Region, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Sylvie Ashford works on building decarbonization, electricity planning, and other clean energy issues in California. Prior to joining NRDC, she worked as a research assistant at policy think tanks in the Bay Area and Washington, D.C., and completed her capstone…

Josh Axelrod

Senior Advocate, Nature Program

Josh Axelrod focuses on issues including public land protection and conservation, renewable energy siting on public lands, limiting oil and gas development on public lands, energy transmission, and climate policy. Since joining NRDC in 2013, Axelrod has also developed expertise…

Sandy Aylesworth

Director, Pacific Initiative, Oceans Division, Nature Program

Sandy Aylesworth advocates to combat illegal fishing and for responsible offshore wind development. Prior to joining NRDC, she worked at the U.S. Department of State and was a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow at NOAA's Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs…

John Bailey

Senior Advocate, Federal and State Transportation, People & Communities Program

John Bailey has over two decades of experience as an advocate for sustainable and equitable communities at the national, state, and local levels. Bailey works to ensure that transportation investments and policies benefit people of all ages, abilities, and incomes…

Max Baumhefner

Senior Attorney, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Max Baumhefner works to make our nation’s cars, trucks, and buses zero emission vehicles. He focuses on electrifying the transportation sector in a manner that also accelerates the transition to a smarter, more affordable electric grid powered by renewable resources…

Merrian Borgeson

Director, California Policy, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Merrian Borgeson champions stronger climate policies by providing analysis and strategic guidance to help us shift to efficient, renewable energy. She works closely with policymakers and stakeholders at the state, regional, and national levels. Prior to joining NRDC, she worked…

Uchenna Bright

E2 Northeast Advocate, Center for Policy Advocacy

In addition to working with the China and the Climate & Clean Energy programs on green buildings and clean vehicles and fuels, Uchenna Bright also cofounded a web-based, green building company that produced a directory in support of individuals and…

Pete Budden

Advocate, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Pete Budden leads NRDC's state and regional-level hydrogen policy work. Prior to joining NRDC, Budden researched next-generation solar energy technology, earning his PhD in physics and undertaking a postdoctoral fellowship. He also worked for the Climate Change Committee in the…

Sheryl Carter

Director, Power Sector, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Sheryl Carter oversees NRDC’s work in the power sector—transforming the energy system to reduce its public health, environmental, and climate impacts, as well as increase energy equity and affordability. Carter, who serves on the Electric Power Research Institute Advisory Council…

Christopher Casey

Senior Attorney, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Christopher Casey advocates to advance climate and clean energy policy priorities in New York as a member of NRDC's Eastern Energy and Sustainable FERC project teams. Currently, he focuses on NYISO wholesale electricity markets, power and gas system planning, increasing…

Ralph Cavanagh

Energy Co-Director, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Since joining NRDC in 1979, Ralph Cavanagh has focused on removing barriers to cost-effective energy efficiency and on the role that electric and natural gas utilities can play in leading a clean energy transition. From 1993 to 2003, he served…

Alison Chase

Senior Policy Analyst, Oceans Division, Nature Program

Alison Chase helps craft and advocate for effective state and federal policies that will protect and restore ocean and coastal health. Prior to joining NRDC, she worked for a number of environmental organizations including the League of Conservation Voters and…

Mohit Chhabra

Technical Lead and Advisor, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Mohit Chhabra provides analysis and strategic guidance to policymakers and other stakeholders at the state, regional, and national levels. He is currently working on redesigning electricity pricing to facilitate decarbonization and enhance affordability, developing cost-effective pathways to reduce greenhouse gas…

Catherine Cox Blair

Director, SPARCC, Resilient Communities, People & Communities Program

Catherine Cox Blair provides communities with technical assistance and expertise regarding city-led innovation and the forging of private-public partnerships. Prior to joining NRDC, she worked at Reconnecting America, where she managed sustainable-development projects in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Denver, and Atlanta and…

Donna De Costanzo

Director, Eastern Region, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Donna De Costanzo advocates for the implementation of policies that increase energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment as well as promote sustainable communities and smart growth, with a primary focus on New York State and New York City. Prior to…

Melanie Dueñas

Program Assistant, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Melanie Dueñas works on climate and clean energy advocacy efforts with NRDC’s Eastern Energy and Sustainable FERC Project teams. She supports efforts that push for energy efficiency and decarbonization across sectors. In particular, she is passionate about financing solutions for…

Jacqueline Ennis

Policy Analyst, Science Office

Jacqueline Ennis leads NRDC's net zero modeling work, using data to analyze decarbonization policies at the federal and state levels. She works on policy efforts related to clean electricity, transportation electrification, and NRDC's advocacy in the Eastern states. Prior to…

Lara Ettenson

Western Director, Planning and Operations, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Lara Ettenson coordinates NRDC's energy efficiency policy and clean energy workforce activities. She collaborates with consumer advocates, social justice advocates, and labor representatives, as well as energy agencies and utilities, to ensure that efficiency is the first option utilities use…

Rachel Fakhry

Policy Director, Emerging Technologies, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Rachel Fakhry leads and sets the strategic direction for NRDC’s advocacy around emerging technologies, including efforts to bolster federal investments in clean energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D), ensuring the responsible and climate-aligned deployment of renewable hydrogen, as well…