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2.03 On Intentionality & Intersections in Energy with Melanie Santiago-Mosier
03/01/22 • 47 min
Melanie Santiago-Mosier is an award-winning energy expert and thought leader, implementing a vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in and through clean energy.
She is the Deputy Director for Clean Energy Group & Clean Energy States Alliance, sister nonprofits who provide technical expertise and independent analysis in support of communities and government leaders working for an equitable clean energy transition. Melanie ensures the organizations pursue their highest strategic goals while embedding principles of equity into all areas of work.
Before joining CEG & CESA, she was the Managing Director for Access & Equity for Vote Solar, where she managed Vote Solar’s work to build equitable partnerships with frontline communities; oversaw collaboration with those communities to design and advocate for programs that open up solar’s opportunities and benefits; and supported the organization’s internal work to grow as an organization that welcomes and supports people from all races, genders, backgrounds, and identities.
She has advanced clean energy policy for over a decade, including leading the government affairs efforts for organizations such as the Maryland Public Service Commission and Washington Gas Energy Services, after serving as counsel and policy analyst for the MD General Assembly. She also served as a regional policy director for SunEdison.
In 2015, Melanie was named one of Maryland’s “Leading Women” by The Daily Record, MD’s premier business and legal news publication. In 2019, she was awarded a WRISE Honor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by Women in Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy. In 2020, she was named one of “MD’s Top 100 Women” by The Daily Record. Melanie is an attorney licensed to practice law in Maryland. She holds her JD from the University of MD School of Law and her BA from St. John’s College. She serves on a number of volunteer boards and is a volunteer mentor for law students.
Quotables
“We’re all rowing in the same boat. We’re going in the same direction. It’s all about how do we best build out the clean energy system of the future and help different people get there.”
– Melanie Santiago-Mosier
“We are rebuilding the way that we do energy in this country, in the world. We are also simultaneously rebuilding the way we do work and the way we do business and doing that from a more equitable perspective, from a more justice-oriented perspective.”
– Amy Simpkins
“Centering communities doesn’t mean coming and giving handouts to communities. Centering communities means being in a listening posture first and foremost.”
– Melanie Santiago-Mosier
“Environmental racism is a real thing.”
– Melanie Santiago-Mosier
Resources
Melanie recommends that you check out Vote Solar to find out how you can get involved in creating inclusive and expansive renewable energy policies.
Check out the Initiative for Energy Justice for more information on important energy equity and energy justice principles. And you'll also want to spend some time with the Jemez Principles, which according to Melanie are "foundational for climate justice work!"
Also mentioned: Emergent Strategy by adrienne marie brown
Thank you for listening. See you at the whiteboard!
Melanie Santiago-Mosier is an award-winning energy expert and thought leader, implementing a vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in and through clean energy.
She is the Deputy Director for Clean Energy Group & Clean Energy States Alliance, sister nonprofits who provide technical expertise and independent analysis in support of communities and government leaders working for an equitable clean energy transition. Melanie ensures the organizations pursue their highest strategic goals while embedding principles of equity into all areas of work.
Before joining CEG & CESA, she was the Managing Director for Access & Equity for Vote Solar, where she managed Vote Solar’s work to build equitable partnerships with frontline communities; oversaw collaboration with those communities to design and advocate for programs that open up solar’s opportunities and benefits; and supported the organization’s internal work to grow as an organization that welcomes and supports people from all races, genders, backgrounds, and identities.
She has advanced clean energy policy for over a decade, including leading the government affairs efforts for organizations such as the Maryland Public Service Commission and Washington Gas Energy Services, after serving as counsel and policy analyst for the MD General Assembly. She also served as a regional policy director for SunEdison.
In 2015, Melanie was named one of Maryland’s “Leading Women” by The Daily Record, MD’s premier business and legal news publication. In 2019, she was awarded a WRISE Honor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by Women in Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy. In 2020, she was named one of “MD’s Top 100 Women” by The Daily Record. Melanie is an attorney licensed to practice law in Maryland. She holds her JD from the University of MD School of Law and her BA from St. John’s College. She serves on a number of volunteer boards and is a volunteer mentor for law students.
Quotables
“We’re all rowing in the same boat. We’re going in the same direction. It’s all about how do we best build out the clean energy system of the future and help different people get there.”
– Melanie Santiago-Mosier
“We are rebuilding the way that we do energy in this country, in the world. We are also simultaneously rebuilding the way we do work and the way we do business and doing that from a more equitable perspective, from a more justice-oriented perspective.”
– Amy Simpkins
“Centering communities doesn’t mean coming and giving handouts to communities. Centering communities means being in a listening posture first and foremost.”
– Melanie Santiago-Mosier
“Environmental racism is a real thing.”
– Melanie Santiago-Mosier
Resources
Melanie recommends that you check out Vote Solar to find out how you can get involved in creating inclusive and expansive renewable energy policies.
Check out the Initiative for Energy Justice for more information on important energy equity and energy justice principles. And you'll also want to spend some time with the Jemez Principles, which according to Melanie are "foundational for climate justice work!"
Also mentioned: Emergent Strategy by adrienne marie brown
Thank you for listening. See you at the whiteboard!
Previous Episode

2.02 On Market Parity for Solar & an Expansive Future with Darryl Parker
An experienced and highly motivated business leader, Darryl Parker’s work in 57 countries makes him a leader in driving innovation across global, matrixed organizations and developing and executing strategies for complex organizations. He brings a strong entrepreneurial mindset, business acumen, passion for innovation and a true commitment to developing the talent around him to every role. He also designs sales and marketing programs that achieve financial targets and deliver beyond customer expectations.
Darryl shifted to renewable energy - specifically solar - from other high growth industries: high tech information systems and communications, leveraging the skills of guiding and growing organizations for his current role at Clean Energy Associates.
Prior to joining Clean Energy Associates, Parker held the role of Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Ampt, a PV power electronics business where he oversaw the global sales and field application engineering team, delivering significant customer value and 10X sales growth over the past five years.
He holds undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and an MBA in global management.
Quotables
“The grid has always been an amalgamation of multiple types of energy generation.” – Darryl Parker
“It’s so interesting to watch the evolution as people start to transform their knowledge from one form of energy generation to another.” – Darryl Parker
“You know when the ‘go big or go home’ guys are getting involved that the industry has real momentum.” – Amy Simpkins
“It’s just power. It’s just electrons running on a wire that helps us run our daily life. And how we get it the fastest, cheapest, most economical way- whatever. Let’s just do that! And make it available to everyone.” – Darryl Parker
If you enjoyed the conversation, please share the episode with other innovators. Leave us a positive review and subscribe to Power Flow on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Check out our awesome merch! And hey, we’re new, so you can even apply to be a sponsor or a guest.
You can follow Power Flow Podcast on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Tik Tok.
Thank you for listening. See you at the whiteboard!
Next Episode

2.04 On Gaps in Data Access & Balancing Complexity with Nancy LaPlaca
Nancy LaPlaca, J.D., is a regulatory policy consultant who has worked at the cutting edge of regulatory policies that affect clean energy. In 2006, Nancy challenged the permit for a so-called “clean” coal plant with carbon capture and sequestration. Nancy and colleagues helped to stop that boondoggle, as well as other “clean” coal boondoggles around the U.S. Nancy served as Policy Advisor to an AZ Public Utilities Commissioner for 4 years, helped to promote policies that increase solar, energy efficiency and other clean energy solutions. Nancy has worked on natural gas supply and reserve issues, natural gas pipelines, methane leakage, GHG accounting, rate design, renewable portfolio standards, transmission and distribution, power plant permits, Integrated Resource Planning and ethics issues.
Nancy offers a webinar series on the regulatory system for energy and how it affects the clean energy transition at Clean Aire NC.
Nancy has worked extensively with Leslie Glustrom of Clean Energy Action, featured on episode 1.05 of Power Flow ("On Citizen Power for the Climate Crisis.") Leslie's episode inspired Power Flow listener Kelly to create 15minutesaweek.com - to support regular folks getting involved in energy policymaking with a commitment of just 15 minutes per week. Check it out! And get inspired by what the Power Flow community can do!
Quotables:
“They [utility companies] get away with it because so few people know how to access critical but extremely understandable information.” - Nancy LaPlaca
“The reason why I think the utilities are getting away with – literally with murder when you consider how we are murdering the future and killing the planet – is because we need this data. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a due process violation to not make this information available.” - Nancy LaPlaca
“Knowledge is power and data is knowledge.” – Amy Simpkins
“I still remember Leslie [Glustrom] getting escorted out of the room for saying the words ‘climate change.’” - Nancy LaPlaca
“It’s the regulators’ role to be watch dogs, not lap dogs.” - Nancy LaPlaca
If you enjoyed the conversation, please share the episode with other innovators. Leave us a positive review and subscribe to Power Flow on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Check out our awesome merch! And hey, we’re new, so you can even apply to be a sponsor or a guest.
You can follow Power Flow Podcast on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Tik Tok.
Thank you for listening. See you at the whiteboard!
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