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Josephus Allmond
Associate Attorney at Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC)Josephus handles solar cases at the State Corporation Commission (SCC), which regulates utilities in Virginia. He assists with air and energy related work in front of the SCC as well. He participates in agency-led stakeholder processes on behalf of SELC and in agency-led rule making and permitting processes.
I am so grateful that I get to work with an organization that is doing the difficult work to address climate change.
Josephus also works with the Virginia Environmental Justice Collaborative and a highlight of his SELC work was the State Air Pollution Control Board’s denial of an air permit for the Lambert Compressor Station on environmental justice grounds.
“Since I began to learn more about climate change as an undergrad, I’ve felt strongly that climate change is the most pressing issue for our generation,” he says. “I am so grateful that I get to work with an organization that is doing the difficult work to address climate change.”
Josephus grew up in Chico, Calif. and now lives just outside of Charlottesville in Troy. He and his girlfriend enjoy being so close to all that Charlottesville has to offer, but love the space that they and their dogs have in Troy.
Previous experience
J.D., Duke University School of Law; Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic
M.S., Northern Arizona University, climate science and solutions
B.A., Northern Arizona University, magna cum laude
A.A., Butte Community College
With SELC since 2020
Peter Anderson
Director of State Energy Policy at Appalachian VoicesPeter leads Appalachian Voices’ Virginia campaigns and state policy work; he also co-directs a multi-state program on equitable energy transition.
Peter joined Appalachian Voices in 2016 and has significant experience advocating before the Virginia General Assembly and state agencies, and he serves as client representative in several legal matters.
Prior to joining Appalachian Voices, he worked in various legal and policy roles, including work for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Environmental Defense Fund.
Peter is a member of the Virginia State Bar; he holds a J.D. from George Mason University School of Law and a B.A. in Philosophy from James Madison University. He completed the Sorensen Institute’s Political Leaders Program at the University of Virginia in 2023.
Peter has lived in the Commonwealth for more than 30 years and currently resides in Charlottesville, Va.
Anthony Artuso
Managing Partner at BrightView EnergyAnthony Artuso is currently Managing Partner of BrightView Energy which provides clean energy
development and advisory services to businesses and governments. Anthony also is an Executive Scholar at the University of Virginia’s Energy Transition Initiative. His research and teaching activities focus on sustainable development and climate change mitigation. Anthony previously served as a faculty member at the University of Charleston and at Rutgers University where he developed an internationally recognized research program on sustainable development and conservation of biodiversity. His industry experience includes executive leadership positions with life sciences and bioenergy companies. Anthony holds a BA from Columbia University, a master’s degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and a PhD in public policy from Cornell University.
Kate Asquith
Deputy Director of Clean VirginiaKate has over two decades of experience in affordable clean energy and sustainability. She worked as a public interest attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center and Appalachian Mountain Advocates, successfully challenging the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Kate co-founded Appalachian Headwaters, focusing on just transition, environmental education, and ecological restoration in central Appalachia. A Virginia native from Portsmouth and raised in Chesapeake, she earned her undergraduate degree from Maryville College and her law degree from the University of Washington. Kate has lived in Charlottesville with her family for nearly ten years.
Will Cleveland
Principal, Energy & Environmental Lawyer at Lighthouse Policy & Law, PLCWill is an energy and environmental lawyer with Lighthouse Policy & Law, PLC helping clients achieve a clean energy transition while focusing on affordability and reliability. Before launching Lighthouse in 2023, Will spent nearly fifteen years at private and non-profit law firms, specializing in utility commission cases and lobbying on energy policy at the Virginia General Assembly. Will is a member of the Virginia Clean Energy Advisory Board and a former board member of the Virginia Conservation Network and Local Energy Alliance Program. A native of Charleston, SC, Will now lives in Charlottesville, VA with his wife and two children.
Larry Corkey
Manager, Policy and Planning at VA Department of EnergyLarry is the Manager of Policy and Planning with the Virginia Department of Energy. He has also served on the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority with Virginia Energy. He has long been involved in state energy policymaking, and is a graduate of the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute. Prior to taking on a role in state government, he worked on environmental compliance with the Retail Industry Leaders Association, a trade association representing U.S. retailers in Washington, D.C.
Mike Dowd
Director of Air Division at Department of Environmental QualityMichael G. Dowd is Director of the Air and Renewable Energy Division for
the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. As a member of DEQ’s
Executive Team, Mr. Dowd oversees the air quality planning, permitting,
compliance, monitoring and mobile source programs, as well as the Small
Renewable Energy Permit by Rule program for the Commonwealth. Prior to
becoming Air Director, Mr. Dowd served as DEQ’s Enforcement Director.
Before joining DEQ, Mr. Dowd was an attorney in private practice with law
firms in Richmond, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio. Mr.
Dowd is a graduate of Columbia University and holds a J.D., cum laude,
from Vermont Law School. He is a recipient of EPA’s Bronze Medal. Mr.
Dowd is co-chair of the Enforcement Committee of the National Association
of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA), Vice Chair of the National Council on
Electricity Policy,* on the Board of Directors and Past Chair of the Mid-
Atlantic Regional Air Management Association (MARAMA) and Southeast
States Air Resource Managers, Inc. (SESARM).
* The National Council on Electricity Policy (NCEP) is affiliated with
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). It
serves as a forum for collaboration around grid related issues at state,
regional and national levels and offers an opportunity for state electricity
decisionmakers to examine new technologies, policies, regulations, and
markets that impact state resources and the electric power system. NCEP
includes over 200 representatives from public utility commissions, air and
environmental regulatory agencies, state energy offices, governors’ staffs,
state legislatures, and consumer advocates. Mr. Dowd is the first non-state
public utility commissioner to be elected Vice Chair of NCEP.
Cara Goldenberg
Principal, Carbon-Free Electricity at RMICara Goldenberg is a Principal on RMI’s Carbon-Free Electricity Program where she leads RMI’s work with utilities, regulators, and advocates to evolve utility business models and regulations to affordably and reliably decarbonize the power sector. In this capacity, Cara has managed engagements with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel, Illinois Commerce Commission, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, and other
stakeholders on regulatory reforms needed to support the equitable integration of clean energy resources. Cara is an experienced facilitator, leading stakeholder processes across the US to make progress on complex issues related to the energy transition. She is the co-author of various RMI reports focused on performance-based regulation, regulatory process design, market structures, and DER utilization. Prior to joining RMI, Cara pursued a Master’s in Public Affairs at Princeton University’s
Woodrow Wilson School, where she received a certificate in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy. Prior to Princeton, Cara worked at Dian Grueneich Consulting in San Francisco. Her work focused on analyzing state and regional clean energy policies and regulations.
Greg Habeeb
Chair of Government and Regulatory Affairs at Gentry LockeGreg Habeeb is the Chair of Gentry Locke’s Government and Regulatory Affairs Practice Group and also the President of Gentry Locke Consulting. Greg is a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, where he served on the Courts of Justice, Rules, Commerce & Labor, Transportation and Privileges and Elections committees, and served on the Rules and Privileges & Elections committees. Greg serves on the firm’s Executive Board and is also a litigation partner specializing in complex business cases, representing individuals and companies in courts throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation.
Carrie Hearne
Executive Director of Virginia Commission on Electric Utility RegulationCarrie Hearne serves as Executive Director at the Virginia Commission on Electric Utility
Regulation. The CEUR is a 14 member Commission within the legislative branch of Virginia’s
state government, with the purpose of monitoring the State Corporation Commission's
implementation of the Virginia Electric Utility Regulation Act and related energy system
opportunities and barriers.
Prior to joining the CEUR, Carrie spent nearly five years at the Virginia Department of Energy
helping to advance energy affordability for Virginia’s residents, model pathways to reach clean
energy goals, and support local government policy and permitting for clean energy. Carrie led
the Commonwealth’s successful applications for competitions including EPA Solar for All and
US DOE’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships, as well as developments for the Home
Energy Rebates and other federally funded programs. She supported the development of
Governor Youngkin’s Virginia Energy Plan, the rollout of Governor Northam’s Virginia Clean
Economy Act, and research on low- and moderate-income solar programs for the Clean Energy
Advisory Board.
Originally from rural West Virginia, Carrie moved to Virginia in 2019 after working for 15 years in
sustainable business operations and clean energy policy in Portland, Oregon. She holds an
MBA in sustainable systems and finance from Presidio Graduate School and a Bachelor’s
degree from Earlham College. She serves as Vice Chair for the Virginia Renewable Energy
Alliance (VA-REA) and is a lifelong Senior Fellow of ELP, the Environmental Leadership
Program. Carrie lives in a solar-powered home in Richmond, Virginia, with her two dogs Timber
and Odie.
Victoria Higgins
Virginia Director of Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)Victoria Higgins (she/her) is the Virginia Director for Chesapeake Climate Action Network. Victoria grew up in Hoboken, New Jersey and studied psychology and neuroscience at Princeton University. Her career in environmental advocacy began with Green Corps, a rigorous training program for environmental organizers. She worked on campaigns with Mighty Earth, Conservation Colorado, and Environment Virginia to hold corporate polluters accountable, pass state climate policy, and limit plastic pollution in Virginia’s waterways. After falling in love with Virginia, she moved to Richmond to work with Virginia Conservation Network as their Civic Engagement and Grassroots Campaigns Manager.
She received a Master of Science in Energy Policy and Climate at Johns Hopkins University. In her free time, she plays Ultimate frisbee, issues unsolicited opinions about pizza, and carries around a deck of cards in hopes that someone will play spades with her.
Bartlett Jackson
Sr. Manager of Policy at SunrunBart Jackson leads Public Affairs for the rooftop solar and battery company, Sunrun. In this role he works with policymakers to help them recognize the critical role that rooftop solar and batteries play to help people save on their electricity bills, provide resilience to their homes, and reduce strain on the overall grid. Sunrun has been a leader in Virtual Power Plants across the United States and is partnering with Ford to unlock the back-up power, vehicle-to-home, and vehicle-to-grid capabilities of its F-150 Lightning. Prior to Sunrun, Bart worked in communications roles at the US Department of Energy and The White House during the Obama Administration. Bart received an MBA from UC Berkeley, and a BA in Political Science from Dickinson College.
Cale Jaffe
Professor & Co-Director, Program in Law, Communities and the Environment of University of Virginia School of LawCale Jaffe is a Professor of Law and director of the Environmental Law and Community Engagement Clinic at the University of Virginia. He also serves as co-director of the Program in Law, Communities and the Environment (PLACE) at UVA Law. He has taught courses in environmental law, energy law, and professional responsibility. While at UVA, Jaffe has also authored or co-authored several amicus briefs on behalf of public-interest clients in the Supreme Court of the United States. These cases include:
Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado (pending) (on behalf of 30
members of the U.S. House and Senate, including Rep. Don Beyer and Rep. Gerry Connolly) (co-
authored with UVA Law Prof. Xiao Wang);
U.S. Forest Service v. Cowpasture River Preservation Association (2020) (on behalf of the City of
Staunton and Nelson County, Virginia); and
Virginia Uranium v. Warren (2019) (on behalf of members of the Southern Virginia delegation to
the Virginia General Assembly, municipalities in Southside Virginia, local chambers of commerce,
and civic, trade, and economic development associations in Southside Virginia).
Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Virginia, Jaffe was an attorney with the Southern
Environmental Law Center. From 2013 to 2016, he was director of the center’s Virginia office. In 2014, Jaffe was appointed by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe to serve on the Governor’s Climate Change and Resiliency Update Commission. In 2020 he was appointed by Governor Ralph Northam to serve on the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission. Jaffe graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in American studies. He earned his J.D. and an M.A. in legal history from the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and the Raven Society. After graduation, he clerked for Judge Norman K. Moon of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia and Judge Roger L. Gregory of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Kim Jemaine
Virginia Director of Advanced Energy UnitedKim Jemaine serves as Managing Director of Counterspark, a c4 organization started by Advanced Energy United. She has a wealth of experience in state-level legislative engagement and coalition building. Kim spent most of her career working on politics and policy in Virginia. She worked on several issue advocacy and electoral campaigns before transitioning to policy. During her time on the ground, advocating for clean energy policy in Virginia Kim helped pass the Virginia Clean Economy Act and was instrumental in the passage of advanced clean car standards, legislation to electrify the state fleet, and legislation to promote the use of GETs in the Commonwealth.
She now works with our state teams to design and execute strategic campaigns to accelerate progress towards 100% clean energy and electrified transportation. Kim previously held positions as the Virginia Director for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and as a Policy Manager with the Virginia League of Conservation voters.
John Larson
Director, Public Policy and Economic Development of Dominion Energy, IncJohn Larson joined Dominion Energy in 1996 and is currently the Director of Public Policy and Economic Development. During John’s career at the company, he has held various leadership positions in generation business development, alternative energy technologies as well as transmission construction and operations. He is well versed in offshore wind through his experience in the development and early permitting activities for Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Pilot Project.
Currently, a large part of his time is spent on Dominion Energy’s Business to Business, Workforce
Development and Community Outreach activity for as the Company moves forward implementing the requirements of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, including the 16,100 MW of solar, 5,200 MW of offshore wind and 2,700 MW of storage, with the objective of maximizing opportunities for Virginia’s vendors, subcontractors and suppliers.
John resides in Henrico County, Virginia with his wife and has three adult children. He graduated with a B.S in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University.
Lena Lewis
Energy and Climate Policy Manager at The Nature ConservancyLena Lewis is the Energy and Climate Policy Manager for The Nature Conservancy’s Virginia Chapter. Her advocacy work focuses on lowering air pollution through energy efficiency, RGGI, and clean transportation. She taught AP Environmental Science and AP Biology at Tandem Friends School for many years before shifting her professional efforts to tackling climate change. Lena holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Swarthmore College.
Trieste Lockwood
President at Lockwood Strategies LLCTrieste is the president and founder of Lockwood Strategies, a boutique clean energy policy and
consulting firm based out of Richmond, VA. She supports nonprofit organizations, foundations,
clean energy companies and associations by navigating government processes and more to
help them achieve their climate and energy goals. She has over a decade of experience in
public policy and advocacy work in Virginia. Prior to launching Lockwood Strategies she served
in Governor Ralph Northam’s administration in different roles, including as the Senior Policy
Advisor to the Department of Environmental Quality and as the Chief Energy Advisor to the
Governor. During her time in government, Trieste took on leadership roles and provided subject-
matter expertise on clean energy policies, climate and solar regulations, offshore wind
advancements, and other special projects. She helped broker major clean energy and solar
agreements, and she oversaw engagement with diverse stakeholders to develop and implement
executive orders and landmark policies like the Virginia Clean Economy Act. Prior to her time in
government she worked at several non-profit organizations.
She received a BA and BS from the Pennsylvania State University, and a JD from the Catholic
University of America Columbus School of Law. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia
Sorensen Institute Political Leadership Program and the Leadership Metro Richmond Program.
Trieste also serves on the City of Richmond Public Utilities and Services Commission and on
the board of a Richmond art gallery.
Trieste lives in Richmond, VA with her husband and two young girls. On weekends you'll find
her teaching her kids how to ride bikes or going on an outdoor adventure.
Bill Murray
Senior Vice President- Corporate Affairs & Communications at Dominion EnergyWilliam L. “Bill” Murray is senior vice president– Corporate Affairs & Communications.
He is responsible for federal, state and local government relations; corporate communications; advertising; public relations; creative services; philanthropy; and community affairs. Murray received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Virginia, his master’s degree in public administration from Virginia Tech, and his doctorate in public administration and public policy from Virginia Tech.
Julia Pendleton
Managing Director of Southeastern Wind CoalitionJulia is the Managing Director of the Southeastern Wind Coalition, a nonprofit working to advance the wind energy industry in our region. At the Coalition, she is responsible for directing programmatic work across eleven states to highlight the economic benefits the wind energy industry can bring to the Southeast. Julia has more than a decade of experience consulting with utilities and multinational corporates on renewable energy strategy, community engagement, and strategic communications. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Canterbury and a Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability from the University of Denver. Originally from New Zealand, Julia lives in Richmond with her husband and two children.
Jim Purekal
Director of Advanced Energy UnitedJim Purekal retired from the Marine Corps in 2021 as a highly decorated Major after
twenty years of service primarily as a helicopter pilot and then ending his career as a
congressional liaison and legislative affairs officer. He started working for SunPower
Corporation in January 2021, acting as the policy manager for the Southeast region.
He served as the Board President for the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association
(CHESSA) in 2022. In October 2023, he joined the policy team of Advanced Energy
United and currently serves as a Director focusing on outreach to lawmakers, state
level Siting reform for key states across the country, and as the legislative lead for the
state of Virginia. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Tufts University in Medford, MA and a master’s in international economics from American University in Washington, DC. He currently lives in Norfolk, Virginia with his wife and daughter.
Will Reisinger
Energy Law and Policy Attorney at ReisingerGooch PLCWill Reisinger is an attorney specializing in energy law and policy. Will advises clean energy companies and non-profit organizations regarding regulatory, transactional, and policy matters. He regularly represents clients in rate cases and rulemakings at the Virginia State Corporation Commission. Prior to entering private practice, Will served as an assistant Virginia attorney general and as a staff attorney for a non-profit environmental organization.
Quentin Scott
Federal Policy Director of Chesapeake Climate Action NetworkQuentin Scott (he/him) joined CCAN in January 2021 as part of the newly created CCAN Federal Team. He moved from Chicago specifically to build political will for groundbreaking national climate and climate justice policies. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, he got a first-hand look at the two Americas and sought to bring the two Americas closer together through advocacy. Quentin’s passion for math and science landed him at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Instead of using his skills for engineering, he uses his knowledge to build data-informed campaigns. Before joining CCAN, Quentin was chief of staff for an Illinois State Representative and a legislative correspondent in the US House of Representatives, and has led numerous issue and candidate campaigns across the Midwest and East Coast. In his roles, he has stood with neighborhood groups to hold industrial polluters accountable in communities of color and looks forward to bringing that fight to the federal level.
Matt Smith
Director, Energy & Emerging Technology of Hampton Roads AllianceMatt Smith is Director of Energy and Emerging Technology for the Hampton Roads Alliance.
Matt’s role at the Alliance is to develop and promote Hampton Roads as a clean energy and
technology hub, including for the offshore wind industry.
Before joining the Alliance, Matt was a Senior Regional Planner at the Hampton Roads Planning
District Commission. He worked in the areas of strategic, environmental, and comprehensive
planning. Matt came to the HRPDC from the City of Hampton’s Community Development
Department where he helped begin Hampton’s resilience planning program. Prior to his career
in community and economic development, Matt worked for a member of the U.S. House of
Representatives and for a research and consulting firm.
Matt is a native of Hampton Roads. He has a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning
from Virginia Commonwealth University and a B.A. in American History from Washington and
Lee University.
Blair St. Ledger - Olson
Director of Advocacy & Campaigns at Virginia League of Conservation Voters (VALCV)A former ecologist turned climate policy advocate, Blair comes to the Virginia League of Conservation with extensive environmental policy experience - both in Virginia and numerous states nationwide. Blair received her Master’s of Science degree from the University of Virginia in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Behavioral Ecology, and her undergraduate degree is in Environmental Studies with a minor in Mathematics from Hollins University. As the new Director of Advocacy and Campaigns, Blair will continue VALCV's work to protect resources important to all Virginians: clean air and water, thriving communities and rural landscapes, productive farms and forests, historic battlefields and Main Streets, and ample public lands and recreation. Blair calls Charlottesville, VA home and lives with her husband and their two dogs and two cats. In her spare time she can be found volunteering on campaigns, enjoying Virginia's outdoors, and paddle boarding as often as possible.
Samuel Towell
Commissioner at Virginia State Corporation CommissionSamuel T. Towell has served as the 38th Commissioner of the Virginia State Corporation Commission since March of 2024.
Judge Towell’s prior public service includes five years as Virginia’s Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation, where he managed the majority of the Commonwealth’s affirmative and defensive civil litigation portfolio, including in the areas of ratepayer advocacy, civil rights, and constitutional law. He has also served as the Deputy Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, supervising the policy development and economic growth initiatives for two of Virginia’s largest private industries.
In the private sector, Judge Towell was the Associate General Counsel for Litigation at Smithfield Foods, Inc. Previously, he was a litigator in private practice with two Richmond-based law firms: McGuireWoods LLP and Williams Mullen P.C.
Judge Towell received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Dana Wiggins
Director, Center for Economic Justice; Consumer Advocacy of Virginia Poverty Law CenterDana Wiggins received a B.S. in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University with an emphasis on environment and biotechnology policy. She worked for the Conservation Fund and eventually the Chesapeake Bay Foundation working on environmental policy initiatives in Virginia. She then shifted to working on consumer advocacy in financial services and around predatory lending with the Virginia Poverty Law Center, eventually adding other consumer issues to her and VPLC's portfolio, including many types of lending, credit access and debt, data privacy, and utility consumer issues. Currently, Dana is the Director of the Center for Economic Justice at VPLC, directing consumer-focused work preserving and protecting income and assets, fighting for access to justice and equitable solutions for a fair marketplace. She manages the Affordable Clean Energy Program and the Virginia Partnership to Encourage Responsible Lending (VaPERL) coalition as well. Through education, policy advocacy, and regulatory change, she works to stop efforts to exploit consumer or divide them from their hard-earned resources. In her spare time, Dana spends time with her family, is active with her faith community, and occasionally works on global-reaching humanitarian projects. She also serves as Chair on the board of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund which works to expanding conservation voter engagement.
Eileen Woll
Offshore Energy Program Director of Sierra Club - Virginia ChapterEileen Woll is the Offshore Energy Program Director with the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, where she has worked for over 16 years. Since 2009, she has led the Virginia Chapter’s OSW campaign, and has been instrumental to many Virginia offshore wind (OSW) accomplishments to include standing the nation’s first OSW turbines in federal waters, enacting policy supporting 5200 MW of OSW in Virginia’s public interest, and galvanizing the grassroots support of over 10,000 Virginians for Dominion’s OSW project. She has considerable experience in strategic campaign planning, special events planning, grassroots outreach, and coalition building. Eileen serves on the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority, the Norfolk Mayor's Climate Change Commission and the Virginia Beach Mayor's Offshore Wind Commission.