Exciting changes for ALLY leadership -- and your voice in the energy future

Written by:

Katie Mehnert

To our phenomenal ALLY Energy community,

I bring good news. Thrilled to share with you that I have accepted appointments to two national agencies, which will deliver even more opportunities to share your ideas and perspectives with top decision-makers across the energy spectrum. As we look to build the energy transition and a stronger future for people and the planet, it’s crucial that a wide variety of views be heard. The agencies I’ll be working with are instrumental in making that happen.

As you may know, during the Trump administration I was appointed as an ambassador to the Department of Energy’s Equity in Energy Initiative, serving under James Campos. I have continued that role during the Biden administration, under Shalanda Baker, a former U.S. Air Force officer and co-founder of the Initiative for Energy Justice.

I have also recently accepted an appointment as part of the National Petroleum Council. In this role, I will serve as an adviser to U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm (who has previously visited us at Greentown Labs). The NPC includes 200 leaders tasked with advising on matters related to oil and gas. Topics we’ll focus on include new technologies, ways to reduce emissions, the workforce and much more. 

Meanwhile, I’m also happy to share that I’ve joined Clean Energy for America as an adviser as well. CE4A works to amplify the voice of the clean energy workforce to advocate for just, equitable and rapid decarbonization. Areas of focus include policy, public education, and the workforce.

As I have long argued, in order to build the energy transition we must bring together all stakeholders. This includes renewables, oil and gas, leaders in business and government, and people of all backgrounds who have so much at stake in the energy transition. 

A large majority of Americans support going carbon neutral and prioritizing renewable sources like wind and solar. It’s also crucial to ensure energy supplies are abundant along the way. We need concrete blueprints for action -- and strong systems in place to ensure progress. Most important of all, we need to attract and retain a growing, diverse, inclusive workforce. It’s time to end energy’s reign as the most overlooked career on Earth!

It will take the proverbial “all hands on deck” to make these efforts happen. It’s time for an end to squabbling, and for everyone to act as one team and as allies. In my various roles, I will push these messages as hard as I can and want to hear from you, too, on what you think we need.

Handing off the day-to-day

ALLY Energy began as a concept I scribbled on the back of a cocktail napkin. I couldn't be prouder of what it has evolved into -- a force recognized across the country and around the world for how we’re helping move energy into a new era. That's in no small part due to all of you who contribute, participate and spread the word. We are truly a community. We lift each other up.

ALLY’s growth has allowed me to bring in a fantastic team full of capable, inspirational people who share our commitment. So as my new combination of roles allows me to be focused more externally, I’ll be handing off the reins of day-to-day operations to them.

As we move forward, you’ll be hearing more and more from our team members. Feel free to reach out to them with questions, ideas, and more.  We'll take your suggestions, concerns, needs, and hopes to all these platforms and more. Together, we can deliver the change that is so badly needed.

We look forward to hearing from you.



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