Key Conversations: Decarbonization in the Biden Era

Dr. Ernest J. Moniz is President & CEO of the Energy Futures Initiative. He served as U.S. Secretary of Energy from 2013 to 2017. In that role he advanced energy technology innovation, nuclear security and strategic stability, cutting-edge capabilities for the American scientific research community, and environmental stewardship. He also strengthened the Energy Department’s strategic partnerships with its 17 national laboratories, the Department of Defense and the broader national security establishment. Dr. Moniz is currently the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems (emeritus) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Special Advisor to the MIT President. He also is co-chair of the board of directors and CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative.

Arshad Mansoor is President of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), responsible for the institute’s operation and its portfolio of R&D and demonstration programs, spanning all sources of generation, power delivery and utilization, and the environment. Previously Mansoor served as senior vice president, research and development, responsible for leading the development of the R&D portfolio, effective collaboration in shaping and conducting research, and the effective application of research findings, including technology transfer. Prior to that, as vice president of EPRI’s Power Delivery and Utilization sector, he led research, development, demonstration, and application of transmission and distribution and energy utilization technologies. He was vice president then CEO of the former EPRI subsidiary, EPRI Solutions, and vice president and director of engineering of the EPRI Power Electronics Application Center. In August, the EPRI Board of Directors unanimously elected Mansoor Chief Executive Officer of EPRI, effective January 1, 2021.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg is the mayor of San Antonio, one of the nation’s fastest growing cities with the 7th largest population in the United States. He was raised in Austin, Texas, and attended college in San Antonio. Nirenberg is the son of an immigrant from Southeast Asia and the grandson of immigrants from Eastern Europe who passed through Ellis Island. Through his personal experiences, Mayor Nirenberg developed a core commitment to civic participation and the universal values of liberty, justice, and equal opportunity for every person. Mayor Nirenberg was re-elected to a second term on June 8, 2019. He was first elected to represent District 8 on the San Antonio City Council in 2013. During his two terms, he championed smart city and regional planning, inclusive economic development, environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility and governmental accountability.

Paula Gold-Williams is the President & CEO of CPS Energy. Paula leads more than 3,100 team members with the vision she has coined “People First,” whereby CPS Energy is evolving its efforts to create and deliver value to its customers, community, and employees into a new age of energy solutions. Paula has more than 30 years of leadership experience in San Antonio, including being a Regional Controller for Time Warner and the VP of Finance for Luby’s, Inc. before coming to CPS Energy in late 2004. Over her 16 years at CPS Energy, she has progressively served as Controller & Assistant Treasurer; VP & Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) – Organizational Excellence & Shared Services; EVP, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Treasurer; and EVP – Financial & Administrative Services, CFO & Treasurer. In addition to her role at CPS Energy, Paula serves on a broad portfolio of boards and committees and is the Immediate Past Chair of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Further, Paula was awarded the inaugural Chief Trailblazer of the Year award by S&P Global Platts for her innovation and commitment to customers and her community.

Clint Vince is the chair of Dentons’ US Energy Practice, co-chair of Dentons’ Global Energy Sector, and co-chair of the Dentons Smart Cities & Connected Communities Think Tank.  He is rated as one of the leading energy lawyers in the US and has directed the expansion of the US Energy team into a premier practice that includes professionals spanning the continent from coast-to-coast, as well as the global Energy team with more than 1,200 practitioners across the Firm’s global platform offering a full range of services to energy industry clients.  Under Clint’s leadership, Dentons has been recently named “Energy Firm of the Year” for three years in a row.  He is widely recognized for his cutting-edge theories and solutions within the energy industry and has a top-tier litigation track record.  He is a leader and member of a number of prestigious think tanks, including the Keystone Policy Center, the Aspen Institute, the World Resources Institute, Resources for the Future, the Alliance to Save Energy, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.  Clint founded the Dentons Smart Cities & Connected Communities Think Tank, the first-of-its-kind law firm and policy-based think tank dedicated to promoting the smart cities concept with particular emphasis on modernizing digital, physical and social infrastructure — starting with the electric grid as a platform for the integration of advanced telecommunications, transportation, public safety, and other essential community services — and to sharing information and best practices with the public and interested stakeholders as they develop.