NASEO’s February 2021 Board Meeting included a discussion with Kelly Speakes-Backman, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Acting Assistant Secretary Speakes-Backman covered a wide range of issues, including the imperative to address climate change, support workforce and economic development, and bolster energy, economic, and community resilience across the country. She highlighted the critical role of the State Energy Offices and the U.S. State Energy Program in advancing these goals, including in their unique ability to demonstrate and deploy climate and energy technologies, and emphasized the need for coordination and collaboration across DOE and the states.
Acting Assistant Secretary Speakes-Backman brings significant expertise and insight to her appointment at DOE, having served as the first CEO of the Energy Storage Association, Senior Vice President of Policy and Research at the Alliance to Save Energy, and Commissioner of the Maryland Public Service Commission.