2022 Legislative Reception

*** SAVE THE DATE: MCEC Legislative Reception - Thursday, Feb 23, 2023 ***

Special thanks to all of the guest speakers and panelists sharing their perspectives priorities for climate and energy priorities and the related policy and regulation under consideration by the Maryland General Assembly!

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Thursday, February 17
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The Governor Calvert House
Annapolis, Maryland

Special Guest Speakers

Photo of Peter Franchot

Peter Franchot

Comptroller of Maryland

Photo of Sen. Bill Ferguson

Sen. Bill Ferguson

President of the Senate
District 46

Photo of Sen. Brian Feldman

Sen. Brian Feldman

Vice Chair,
Senate Finance Committee
District 15

Photo of Sen. Ben Kramer

Sen. Ben Kramer

Senate Finance Committee
District 19

Photo of Sen. Paul Pinsky

Sen. Paul Pinsky

Chair, Senate Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee
District 22

Photo of Del. Eric Luedtke

Del. Eric Luedtke

House Majority Leader
District 14

Photo of Del. Benjamin Brooks

Del. Benjamin Brooks

House Economic Matters Committee
District 10

Photo of Del. Lorig Charkoudian

Del. Lorig Charkoudian

House Economic Matters Committee
District 20

Photo of Del. Lily Qi

Del. Lily Qi

House Economic Matters Committee
District 15

Photo of Mike Gill

Mike Gill

Secretary,
Maryland Department of Commerce

Photo of Ben Grumbles

Ben Grumbles

Secretary,
Maryland Department of the Environment

Featured Panels

Energy & the Built Environment: Strategies Aimed at Addressing Climate Change

This panel session will examine the challenges, opportunities and recommendations related to building de-carbonization to achieve demand reduction goals from the perspective of consumers, industry and utilities. What are the policies and strategies Maryland has on target to achieve beneficial outcomes?

Photo of Katherine Magruder

Katherine Magruder

Executive Director,
Maryland Clean Energy Center

Katherine Magruder

Executive Director
Maryland Clean Energy Center

Ms. Magruder is the Executive Director of the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC), a corporate instrumentality of the state created to advance the adoption of clean energy products, services, and technologies. In addition to administrative and budget management for MCEC she in engaged in government and industry stakeholder relations, event production and innovation advancement.

Magruder led efforts to launch programs designed to provide access to capital for energy projects including the Maryland Home Energy Loan Program, Maryland Clean Energy Capital Program and MDPACE; a statewide initiative enabling commercial property assessed clean energy lending to occur in Maryland.

In her prior position Ms. Magruder served as Chief of Staff at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute; known for performing cutting edge research and transfer of newly discovered technologies to commercial applications; when it existed as part of the University System of Maryland.

As Director of Resource Based Industries, for the Maryland Department of Commerce, she initiated and managed a program focused on sustaining agriculture, forestry, mining, fisheries and maritime industry sectors. Working in collaboration with multiple agencies and in partnership with the Maryland Energy Administration, she helped develop a statewide approach to implement evolving energy policies and technologies.

Ms. Magruder previously served at the regional and county level in tourism, community and economic development as Director of the Department of Economic Development & Tourism for Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. Emphasizing sustainability In that capacity, she led numerous agribusiness and ecotourism initiatives focused on environment, economy, and cultural character. Related efforts include creation of an interactive exhibit for visitors at the Chesapeake Heritage Center, state designation of the Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area, and national designation for the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway.

Bio
Photo of Mallik Angalakudati

Mallik Angalakudati

SVP, Strategy & Innovation,
Washington Gas

Mallik Angalakudati

SVP, Strategy & Innovation
Washington Gas

Mallik Angalakudati is Senior Vice President of Strategy & Innovation, Washington Gas. In this role, Mr. Angalakudati leads strategy development, integrated planning, business development and performance management functions.

Mr. Angalakudati has more than 25 years of experience in energy, environmental and utilities industries in both industry and consulting roles. He joins the organization after most recently serving as the Executive Director at PwC’s Power and Utility Advisory practice, working with several utilities in the areas of strategy and operational excellence. Prior to his role at PwC, Mr. Angalakudati held senior leadership positions in both corporate strategy and gas operations at Pacific Gas & Electric and operational and process leadership roles at National Grid USA.

Mr. Angalakudati enjoys engaging with academic and industry communities. He is currently serving on Executive Council of the Southern Gas Association. His past affiliations include advisory board and committee positions with Utility Analytics Institute, MIT Leaders for Global Operations, and University of Michigan’s Tauber Institute.

Mr. Angalakudati is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and received his Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and his MBA from the University of Michigan.

Bio
Photo of William Ellis

William Ellis

Region VP Government Affairs,
Pepco

William Ellis

Region VP Government Affairs
Pepco

William is responsible for engaging in stakeholder relations with state and local officials, community leaders and businesses, consumer and nonprofit organizations within the Pepco Maryland region. Shaping policy and managing issues to deliver value to our customers and key stakeholders. In his role, William is uniquely positioned to drive equity within the company, creating increased customer benefits through electrification and energy efficiency programs, as well as workforce development initiatives.

His previous role as Senior Portfolio Manager of Energy Efficiency, William was responsible for developing and implementing the strategic vision for increasing Demand Side Management programs across Atlantic City Electric, Delmarva Power and Pepco. Work included increasing adoption of behind the meter technology and programs to help customers better manage their energy usage, while leveraging these assets to maximize grid utilization.

William Ellis is a graduate of The Catholic University of America, where he attained a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a master’s degree in Engineering Management and a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. William is also a University of Idaho Utility Executive Curriculum alumnus, and has a Global Executive MBA from Georgetown University, which he completed in 2014. William is also a currently certified Project Management Profession (PMP).

Bio
Photo of Josh Green

Josh Greene

Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs,
A. O. Smith

Josh Greene

Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs
A. O. Smith

Josh currently serves as Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs. In this role, Josh’s primary function is to advocate for the company’s business goals and objectives in front of federal, state, and local policy makers and regulators across North America. He also represents the company and actively participates on its behalf in front of many trade associations and non-governmental organizations that cover the company’s products and business interests. Prior to Josh joining A. O. Smith he was Partner at the law firm of Squire Patton Boggs LLP in Washington D.C. Earlier in his career Josh served as a senior legislative assistant and aide to two members of the New York Congressional delegation. Finally, Josh’s professional experience off Capitol Hill also includes serving as chairman of a privately-held holding company involved in the commercial building services industry as well as retail food services.

Bio
Photo of David Lapp

David Lapp

Maryland People's Counsel,
Maryland Office of People’s Counsel

David Lapp

Maryland People's Counsel
Maryland Office of People's Counsel

As a lawyer, policy analyst, and writer, David S. Lapp has focused on public policy and corporate accountability in the energy, tobacco, and health-care industries.

Until his appointment as Acting People’s Counsel, Mr. Lapp worked from 2004-2020 as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland (OAG). Mr. Lapp served for seven years as Deputy Counsel for the Maryland Department of Health. Before that, he served as Chief Counsel of the OAG’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit and helped lead State and national efforts to enforce the national tobacco Master Settlement Agreement against the major cigarette manufacturers.

For over ten years prior to his work at OAG, Mr. Lapp advocated on behalf of consumer and environmental interests in the field of utility regulation, first as a writer and policy analyst and then as an attorney primarily representing and advising state regulatory commissions and environmental and consumer advocates.

Mr. Lapp graduated in 1998 from the University of Maryland School of Law, Order of Coif. Following law school, he served as a law clerk on the Maryland Court of Appeals for Judge Howard Chasanow.

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh appointed David S. Lapp People’s Counsel in 2021.

Bio

Innovation & Regulation: Shooting Toward Energy Targets in Maryland

The panel will explore cutting edge technologies and the potential for adoption of zero emission credits to enable the State to achieve Renewable Portfolio (RPS) and energy efficiency goals, faster and more effectively.

Photo of Dr. Eris D. Wachsman

Dr. Eric Wachsman

Director,
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
Ex Officio Board Member,
Maryland Clean Energy Center

Dr. Eric Wachsman

Director
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute

Dr. Eric D Wachsman, Director of the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute, is the William L. Crentz Centennial Chair in Energy Research and a Distinguished University Professor with appointments in both the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Maryland. He received his Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering from Stanford University, and his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley.

Dr. Wachsman is President of The Electrochemical Society (ECS) and Editor-in-Chief of Ionics. He is a Fellow of both ECS and the American Ceramic Society; elected member of the World Academy of Ceramics; the recipient of the 2017 Carl Wagner Award from ECS; the 2014 Sir William Grove Award from the International Association for Hydrogen Energy; the 2014 Pfeil Award from The Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining; the Outstanding Invention of 2013 award from the University of Maryland Office of Technology Licensing; the 2012 Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition Award; and the 2012 HTM Outstanding Achievement Award from ECS.

His research is focused on solid ion-conducting materials and electrocatalysts, and includes the development of solid-state batteries, solid oxide fuel cells, ion-transport membrane reactors, and solid-state gas sensors, using advanced ion conducting materials. He has more than 270 publications and 35 patents/patent applications on ionic and electronic transport in materials, and their catalytic properties, and device performance, and to date three companies have been founded based on these technologies.

Bio
Photo of David Chiesa

David Chiesa 

VP for Global Sales and Business Development
CTC Global

David Chiesa

VP for Global Sales and Business Development
CTC Global 

David Chiesa is the Vice President of Global Sales and Business development for CTC Global. David’s team is responsible for the profitable growth of CTC’s business across the globe.

Mr. Chiesa began his career in the United States Army serving as a maintenance company commander, general officer aide‐de‐camp, and U.S. Forces maintenance manager for the NATO troops conducting peacekeeping operations in Bosnia. Following his service with the Army, Mr. Chiesa joined General Electric. During his time at GE, he was a Master Black Belt in the Six Sigma program, operational lead for building substations across the United States and the north region service director in the Industrial Solutions division. After GE, David was the Senior Director for Global Business Development with S&C Electric Company driving their entry and growth across all market segments with a particular expertise in Microgrids.

Bio
Photo of Christine Csizmadia

Christine Csizmadia

Director, State Governmental Affairs & Advocacy,
Nuclear Energy Institute

Christine Csizmadia

Director, State Governmental Affairs & Advocacy
Nuclear Energy Institute

Christine is the Director for State Governmental Affairs & Advocacy at the Nuclear Energy Institute and has been with NEI for 15 years developing, launching and managing state, local and grassroots programs. As the director of the state and local government affairs team at NEI, Christine manages coalition building, grassroots mobilization and state and local elected official outreach and education. Christine also runs integrated advocacy campaigns related to nuclear issues such as state efforts to preserve nuclear assets, federal regulatory oversight, advanced technology and used nuclear fuel. Christine also manages NEI’s advocacy arm, Nuclear Matters, a coalition that seeks to inform and educate policymakers and the public on the value of nuclear energy.

Christine received her undergraduate degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA in Communication and Persuasive Discourse and completed graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University in Political Communication.

Bio
Photo of Andrew Gohn

Andrew Gohn 

Eastern Region States Director
American Clean Power Association

Andrew Gohn

Eastern Region States Director
American Clean Power Association

Andrew Gohn is the Eastern Region Director on ACP’s State Affairs team. Andrew advocates for state policies to expand deployment of clean energy in the Eastern US. Before joining AWEA in 2015, he spent six years at the Maryland Energy Administration, advancing wind energy development in the state. Andrew worked to develop and enact the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act, administer the Maryland Offshore Wind Development Fund and oversee several major legislative and administrative efforts that supported deployment of major wind farms in the state. Prior to working for Maryland, Andrew worked for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and spent time developing environmental policy in the office of Sen. Ben Cardin. Andrew received a law degree from University of Maryland in 2009 and remains a member of the Maryland bar in good standing.

Bio

Special Thanks to Our Event Sponsors

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