American Clean Power Association (ACP) (Washington, DC): The organization recently announced that Heather Zichal has been named its first CEO, effective December 14. The new multi-technology renewable energy industry trade group, which formally launches on Jan.1, 2021, represents solar, storage, wind and transmission companies, along with manufacturers and construction companies, developers and owners/operators, utilities, financial firms and corporate purchases in the clean energy value chain.
“American Clean Power is uniting the renewable power sector to speak with a unified voice at a time when investments in renewable energy can help solve two of the nation’s biggest challenges, rebuilding our economy and addressing climate change,” said Invenergy President and COO Jim Murphy, who chairs the association’s transition board, in the press release. “With renewable energy having the potential to supply half of the nation’s electricity by 2030, Heather brings the perfect mix of experience, skills and relationships to help our industry seize this historic opportunity for further investment in the US economy.”
“Solving climate change means leading a clean energy transformation which will rebuild America’s economy. American Clean Power will be the leading voice for creating jobs, spurring massive investment and driving innovation, while bringing us closer to the carbon-free future we need,” said Zichal in the release. “This is a pivotal moment to unite the entire clean power supply chain behind one organization to ensure renewable energy continues to grow into the dominant source energy for America. No job could be more inspiring.”
Zichal has a long career battling global climate change. Most recently, she served as the executive director of the Blue Prosperity Coalition, a global network of governments, NGOs, scientists and ocean experts. Previously, she served as VP of corporate engagement for The Nature Conservancy. In government, Zichal served as deputy assistant to the President for energy and climate change during the Obama ministration, and prior to that, she served as legislative director to John Kerry, one of the Senate's leading environmentalists.