US Briefings: The State(s) of the US Energy Transition

From Washington's goal of a 100% clean electricity supply to the rapid expansion of wind and solar energy in Texas to New Jersey's ambitious offshore wind program: The energy transition in the US has historically been driven by state-level initiatives. Under the Biden administration, federal programs such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) increasingly embedded these approaches into US national industrial and economic policy, combining climate protection with competitiveness and strengthening the US's credibility in international climate policy. 

Now, these federal programs are being scaled back and dismantled under the Trump administration. Nevertheless, state and local initiatives continue to show how the energy transition in the US can be further advanced – and what opportunities are opening up for transatlantic cooperation on a just green transition.

In this US Briefing, we address the following questions: How can the energy transition in the US be advanced despite the dismantling of key subsidy programs by the Trump administration? What role do states such as Washington and local/community-based initiatives play in this? Where are the opportunities for progress under the current political conditions, and what are the biggest hurdles? And how can the transatlantic partnership strengthen these efforts through subnational exchange as well as international cooperation?

With:

• Molly Keenan, founder of the political and government affairs consulting firm MK Strategies and former Campaign manager for Jay Inslee, former Governor of Washington State
• Taryn Finnessey, Managing Director of the U.S. Climate Alliance and former Senior Climate Change Specialist for the State of Colorado

Moderation: Brendan O’Donnell, Program Director Climate and Environmental Policy, Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC

After the interview, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in a Q&A session.

Contact: 
Deitra Myers 
Division European Union and North America
E myers@boell.de

Taryn Finnessey is the Managing Director of the U.S. Climate Alliance, where she works to advance the climate priorities of the Alliance’s governors, oversees the Secretariat’s efforts to create comprehensive policy solutions and build state capacity, and helps set coalition-wide strategy. She previously led the Alliance’s efforts to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants and increase equity in the transition to a clean energy economy. 
Prior to joining the Alliance, Taryn was the Senior Climate Change Specialist for the State of Colorado, where she coordinated climate change efforts across state agencies to integrate scientific and policy innovations that reduce emissions and address climate change impacts, and helped establish Colorado as a national and international leader on drought resilience

Molly Keenan is a public affairs professional with nearly 20 years of experience in politics, policy, and management, focused on climate advocacy and the clean energy transition in Washington State. She serves as Chair of Evergreen Action, a national climate advocacy organization, and leads MK Strategies, her consulting firm supporting clean energy and climate solutions through state government affairs. 
Previously, Molly managed the successful reelection campaign of Governor Jay Inslee, one of the nation’s foremost climate leaders, and held senior roles on his presidential and gubernatorial campaigns. She has also served as District Director for Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA) and worked for U.S. Senators Max Baucus (MT), Patty Murray (WA), and Jon Tester (WA), building deep expertise at the intersection of politics, policy, and advocacy.

» Online participation in ZOOM
You can use either the Zoom Client software or the app. If you are using either the Chrome or Edge browsers you will be able to participate directly via the access link. For more information on how to use Zoom, click here.
Please make sure that you are using the latest version of Zoom so that you have the necessary settings. You will need a microphone and possibly a camera for events with audience participation.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation is not liable for issues arising from the use of Zoom software. Zoom's current privacy policy can be found here.

» Livestream
Alternatively, you can follow the event via livestream.
Livestream in English
Livestream in German