January 21, 2021
ESA Board Chair Statement on Appointment of Kelly Speakes-Backman to the Department of Energy
U.S. Energy Storage Association (ESA) Board Chairman statement from John D. Hewa, President & CEO of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative statement on the appointment of Kelly Speakes-Backman to the Department of Energy:
“The U.S. Energy Storage Association (ESA) Board of Directors congratulates Kelly Speakes-Backman on her appointment to the U.S. Department of Energy as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,” said ESA Board Chairman John D. Hewa, President & CEO of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. “Kelly has led ESA through a pivotal shift in the industry with record-breaking growth in 2020, despite the challenges from COVID-19. As the Biden-Harris Administration takes office, and as the storage industry enters a new phase of accelerated market growth, energy storage is poised to become central to America’s clean energy economy to enable a more resilient, efficient, sustainable, and affordable grid for all.
“We are also pleased to announce that to ensure a smooth transition and to continue uninterrupted the rapid pace of advancements for the energy storage industry, the Board has unanimously voted to appoint ESA Vice President of Policy Jason Burwen as interim CEO of ESA, effective immediately. Jason, who has led ESA’s policy work since 2015, has previously served in leadership roles at the Bipartisan Policy Center, and the American Energy Innovation Council.”
“We look forward to working with the incoming administration and Congress to ensure that policies are enacted to enable further deployment of energy storage and ensure America’s position as a leader in clean energy and energy innovation.”
