Massachusetts is working on “grid modernization.” What is that? What does it mean for consumers, GHG emission reduction, and environmental justice? What is the process?
We have a great panel to explain:
- Mass. Department of Energy Resources: Elizabeth Mahony, Commissioner and Aurora Edington, Electric Grid Policy Manager
- Kyle Murray, Acadia Center
- Kathryn Wright, Barr Foundation
- Larry Chretien, Green Energy Consumers Alliance
Read their bios and RSVP below!
Aurora Edington (above left) is the Electric Grid Policy Manager for the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. In her role, Aurora manages electric distribution system policy including topics related to DER interconnection, transportation electrification, and grid modernization. Previously Aurora was the Policy Director of the GridWise Alliance where she led content development and coordinated member engagement related to grid modernization, EV-grid integration, and federal policy. She also has experience consulting and working at the U.S. Department of Energy. Aurora holds a masters from the Technology and Policy Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Yale University.
Kyle Murray (above middle) is Senior Advocate and Massachusetts Program Director at Acadia Center, based in the Boston office. Kyle leads Acadia Center’s Massachusetts advocacy efforts including coalitions, outreach and agency work at the Department of Public Utilities. Kyle previously served as Legislative Director and General Counsel for MA State Senator Marc R. Pacheco from 2012-2021. While employed in the Senate, Kyle was involved in passing a number of landmark climate and energy bills, including working on the conference committees for 2016’s Energy Diversity Bill and 2018’s Act to Advance Clean Energy, which led to the first large-scale offshore wind developments in the nation. He received his BA from Skidmore College, earned his JD from Vermont Law School, with a specialization in energy law, and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar.
Kathryn Wright (above right) is a Senior Program Officer on Barr’s Climate team. Her work focuses on equitable energy efficiency, electrification and renewable energy strategies in the Northeast. Kathryn collaborates with a diverse set of grantees across New England to achieve just energy system transformation. Prior to joining Barr in 2022, Kathryn served as the Program Director for Buildings for the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), a network of over 250 local governments in the U.S. and Canada. Prior to USDN, Kathryn was the Acting Principal of the Sustainable Communities and Organizations team at the Cadmus Group where she supported climate projects for clients such as the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the City of Boston, the District of Columbia, Fannie Mae and NYSERDA. She holds Bachelors degrees from the University of Pittsburgh in Marketing and Environmental Science and a Masters from the Yale School of Environment in Environmental Management. She serves on the Board of the New Buildings Institute and is an inaugural member of the NAACP Centering Equity in the Sustainable Building Sector initiative.