Area of Focus
Deborah advocates for policies which reduce emissions in the transportation sector, focusing on transportation electrification and the adoption of electric vehicles in all of WRA’s states. Her policy work seeks to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of transportation electrification for communities across the West.
With an eye for effective program design, Deborah’s role largely centers around working with investor-owned utilities in the region to advance transportation electrification and shape utility offerings through the development and implementation of transportation electrification plans. These plans include programs to increase access to EVs and charging infrastructure for utility customers, as well as ways to manage that additional energy load effectively. She also advocates for pro-EV policies such as more stringent vehicle emissions, rate design tailored to electric vehicle users to encourage charging at times which benefit the grid, and supporting medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification.
Background
Deborah originally joined WRA in 2021 as a regional markets intern, researching how state climate goals and emissions reductions commitments can be accommodated in regional wholesale electricity markets. Prior to WRA, she worked for the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in Washington, D.C., researching environmental justice issues in low-income communities and with the Zero Emission Resource Organization in Oslo, Norway, assisting staff with research on European Union carbon markets.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Environmental Studies with a minor in Nordic Studies from St. Olaf College
Favorite thing about the West
Snowy landscapes, endless trails to explore, and bison.
