LoginPathways to Decarbonization, Leadership, Powering Innovation Key Topics at Fall 2019 Keystone Energy Board Meeting
Keystone Policy Center conducted its Fall 2019 meeting with the Keystone Energy Board Oct. 22. The board is comprised of roughly 55 individuals who represent different perspectives on energy policy, including people with energy policy expertise from industry, technology, environment, consumer advocacy, and state and federal government. It meets three times a year, providing a unique forum to discuss timely energy and environmental issues; explore opportunities for improved policymaking in the public and private sectors; and share perspectives with fellow leaders working in critical areas.
The first panel at the meeting focused on decarbonization and pathways for emissions reductions. The discussion was led by a panel comprised of Paula Gant, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Innovation at GTI; Karl Hausker, Senior Fellow, Climate Program at World Resources Institute; Whitney Herndon, Senior Analyst at Rhodium Group; and Doug Scott, Vice President, Electricity and Efficiency at Great Plains Institute, who served as moderator. The panelists walked the board through the policy challenges related to economy-wide deep decarbonization, reflecting on opportunities and issues at the regional, national, or global scale.
Interest in energy and environmental policy is reaching a fever pitch and leaders know that the stakes are high, but their jobs demand that decisions be made about a future that is not entirely knowable. Paula Gold-Williams, President & Chief Executive Officer of CPS Energy, and Bruce Harris, Vice President, Federal Government Affairs of Walmart, examined how utility and business leaders make decisions that appropriately value reliability, affordability, and other core business functions as the circumstances increasingly call for ambition, creative thinking, and technology-based solutions.
The Energy Board wrapped up its meeting examining concrete examples of how cutting-edge technology and maverick thinkers get connected with the businesses that might take their ideas on decarbonization or energy policy to scale. The board discussed the relationship between utilities (and other businesses) and startups, tech incubators, and tech accelerators at the local level. Specifically, Kimberly Britton, Chief Executive Officer of EPIcenter, and Bob Irvin, Executive Director of Joules Accelerator, shared what lessons their models can offer for getting fresh ideas, applications, and technology in the hands of the companies that can best apply them.
The Energy Board meets three times a year in either Keystone, CO or Washington, D.C. It will next meet in February 2020.
Effective March 1, 2025, Thomas J. Vilsack, former United States Secretary of Agriculture and Governor of Iowa, became the first Chief Executive Officer for the World Food Prize Foundation. In this new role, Governor Vilsack is focusing on expanding the Foundation’s global network, and will further position the Foundation as a leader in addressing global food and nutrition insecurity, continuing his lifetime of public service.
Shelby Coffey III is a distinguished journalist, media executive, and thought leader whose career has helped shape the landscape of American news and public discourse. Over several decades, Coffey has held some of the most influential roles in journalism, including serving as editor of the Los Angeles Times, executive vice president of ABC News, and deputy managing editor of The Washington Post. His editorial leadership extended to key roles as president of CNN Financial News, editor of the Dallas Times Herald, and U.S. News & World Report.
Jerry Steiner has spent 40 years involved in agriculture following growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm. He began his career with Monsanto, in multiple business leadership roles. From 2003-2013 he served as a member of the Executive team, as the company’s Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs. He led the company’s global Government, Public and Industry Affairs teams across the 70 countries where Monsanto conducts business. This experience got Jerry connected to the Keystones centers work in agriculture. Key among his responsibilities were shaping the company’s public policy and building partnerships aimed at helping farmers around the world produce more food, while conserving valuable resources like water and energy. Two unique partnership that developed under his leadership were drought tolerant corn with 5 African countries, CIMMYT and the Gates foundation, and a building a sustainable business model in Brazil with the value chain leading to significant multi-company investment and soybean varieties that can protected themselves.
Jennifer Morris is the Chief Executive Officer of The Nature Conservancy, leading a team of nearly 6,000 staff working in more than 80 countries and territories tackling the dual crises of the 
Congressman Joe Neguse represents Colorado’s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to his first term in November 2018, becoming the first Black Member of Congress in Colorado history. In December 2022, Rep. Neguse was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), becoming the first Coloradan to serve in a senior elected leadership role in the House in over 85 years. He serves on the Natural Resources and Judiciary Committees, and was also appointed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to serve as one of four Democrats on the prestigious Rules Committee. Rep. Neguse serves as Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, which he previously Chaired in the 117th Congress.
Llewellyn King was born in Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. He went into journalism as soon as he turned 16, stringing for Time magazine and United Press in Africa.
Steven Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo North America, overseeing a more than $48 billion business that spans PepsiCo’s Foods and Beverage operating units. His leadership encompasses more than 125,000 associates and over 900 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Steven joined PepsiCo in 2001 as part of PepsiCo’s acquisition of the Quaker Oats Company, which he joined in 1997, and has held leadership positions of increased responsibility since.