With the end of summer, we have new leadership, who we will be profiling in the next couple of newsletters.  This month’s Feature Member is our new President, Natalie Kempkey.

Please note your affiliation and years of experience in the energy and/or environmental field.

As an Economist with the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) for almost 6 years, my area of expertise lies primarily in the international upstream oil and gas sectors. I conduct trend analysis, anticipate the impact these changes have on EIA data, and prepare short and mid-term supply forecasts with a focus on Western Hemisphere.

Prior to the EIA, I worked as a Policy Analyst at the U.S. Department of Energy evaluating policies and programs focusing on energy efficiency and end-use analysis in buildings, manufacturing and industrial facilities, appliance standards, and transportation. I have over 15 years of experience focusing on electricity, grid infrastructure and modernization and energy efficiency. My experience also includes international trade expertise, having worked for the U.S. Commercial Service and the U.S. Department of Commerce. I specialized in export counseling and conducted investigations to enforce U.S. antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) trade laws.

I have authored multiple publications in trade journals, ranging from international energy oil and gas analysis, energy productivity, the economics of international water disputes, to statistical analysis of annual trade flows. I hold a Masters of Arts in International Economics, Energy and Environmental Policy from the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS). I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of California, Davis.

Any particular achievement/interest in energy/environment you would like to mention?

During my time in the Policy Office under Secretary Moniz, I helped develop the Quadrennial Energy Review (QERs). The QERs were a non-partisan report that provided policymakers, industry, investors, and other stakeholders with unbiased data and analysis on energy challenges, needs, requirements, and barriers that will inform a range of policy options, including legislation. It was very rewarding to engage with stakeholders across the country and to be involved in a unique sector by sector analysis to envision the future of energy in America.

In 2009 I worked on the Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG) program undertaken through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) aimed to accelerate the modernization of the nation’s electric transmission and distribution systems. I worked with 7 utility grant recipients to execute their projects, worth over $372 million. Through these projects, the SGIG program promoted investments in smart grid technologies, tools, and techniques that increase flexibility, functionality, interoperability, cybersecurity, situational awareness, and operational efficiency.

In your opinion, what are important issues facing the energy industry nowadays?

I believe an important issue that we are seeing a trend in states being “first movers” in implementing energy policies or technology, independent of government or national involvement. If we are not careful, it could lead to a patchwork of uncoordinated policies. Understanding how state policies vary, their market impacts, and what the federal role is in working with states to create national energy policy is an important but uncertain piece of the puzzle for the future of the energy sector.

How long have you been a member of NCAC? Any particular NCAC memory you would like to share with us?

I have been a member since 2009, and have enjoyed serving in various roles in NCAC leadership. My favorite memory was the roast NCAC held for Adam Sieminski when he left EIA. It was a blast hearing the all the NCAC member poems, jokes and songs Bob McNally and his band played all night dedicated to his service. Energy nerds can be fun also!

Please note your affiliation and years of experience in the energy and/or environmental field

As a rising third year student at the University of Virginia, I am majoring in Global Studies with a concentration in Environments and Sustainability. Through this academic path, I have and will continue to take classes centered on environmental issues including energy. Furthermore, I currently work as a communications intern for the Community Climate Collaborative, a Charlottesville nonprofit. This job requires me to stay updated on all things climate and energy in Virginia’s residential, commercial, and political sectors.

Any particular achievement/interest in energy/environment you would like to mention?

In addition, I am double majoring in Foreign Affairs. I have a keen interest in the political aspect of addressing climate change due to the nature of the challenge as a collective action problem. My goal is to research how the political arena can work to overcome these issues of collective action to create a global ethic where mitigating climate change is seen as a top priority.

In your opinion, what are important issues facing the energy industry nowadays?

By far the most important issue facing the energy industry is the clean energy transition. I have learned about climate science and it is paramount that the transition happens quickly, efficiently, and completely. However, it is a fallacy to assume we can accomplish such systems-wide change without considering how it can be just for everyone involved.

How long have you been a member of NCAC? Any particular NCAC memory you would like to share with us?

I became a member of NCAC in 2021. My favorite memory with NCAC so far was attending the Demystifying Environmental Credits presentation. I found it extremely fascinating as the subject material pertains to a couple of courses I have taken at the university. It was also rewarding to hear from an expert actually working in the field instead of a detached classroom setting. I am looking forward to engaging members in the DC area as that is my hometown and attending many wonderful future events!

Please note your affiliation and years of experience in the energy and/or environmental field.

I am the Director of Cargo and Commercial Sealift at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, an agency that fosters, promotes, and develops the American maritime industry.  My roles in the energy and environmental field date back to my service on President Obama’s National Commission on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, and as an environmental protection officer within the U.S. Navy nearly 15 years ago.

Any particular achievement/interest in energy/environment you would like to mention?

While we are taught in grade school that 70% of the Earth is covered by water, many forget just how vital oceans are to our way of life as a rich source of critical resources—ranging from food, energy, minerals—as medium for international commerce, telecommunications, and even a geopolitical influencer.  Yet, they continue to endure the effects of coral reef degradation, IUU fishing, marine debris, potentially polluting shipwrecks, and more.  From a maritime commerce perspective, 90% of global trade is conveyed on the oceans by some 51,000 marine vessels, most of which use the dirtiest fuel left over from the refinery process, and thus, are responsible for a proportion of the global climate change problem.  If global shipping were a country, it would be the sixth largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions.

Given the ever-growing wave of international environmental constraints on greenhouse gas emissions, I developed the first-ever Green Port Technologies Reverse Trade Mission, involving over 40 technology firms, seaports, government agencies, NGOs, and foreign officials.  The aim of the project was to showcase American cutting-edge technologies that reduce or eliminate air pollution at seaports while simultaneously increasing efficiency, safety, and reducing costs. As a result, the project supported the National Export Initiative while assisting developing nations meet their emissions targets and reducing the impacts of pollution on surrounding port communities.

In your opinion, what are important issues facing the energy industry nowadays?

When disruptions to our economy strike, whether from hurricanes, a pandemic, or a cyberattack on a major pipeline network, one of the most important issues is having reliable access to a sufficient pool of tankers and barges ready to move petroleum products to areas of the country most in need.  As the nation mobilizes to address fuel shortages and mitigate the impacts of such emergencies, there is often a gap in industry knowledge regarding where such vessels are located, their carrying capacity, and the speed to which they can load and discharge product.  The good news is that with greater industry-government coordination, the capacity and availability of American tankers and barges can be fully utilized, and especially in accordance with the coastwise trade laws, sometimes referred to as the “Jones Act.”

How long have you been a member of NCAC? Any particular NCAC memory you would like to share with us?

I have been a member of NCAC since arriving to DC in 2010.  What I really enjoy about the NCAC is the ability to meet experts in their field, participating in VIP speaking events, the opportunity to mentor others, and discussing some of the interesting, vast, and strange world of international shipping.

Were it not for joining NCAC, I would not have met some of the most intelligent, passionate energy experts, such as Amy Jaffe, Basil Karatzas, Michael Ratner, among many others, and especially our very own and beloved Pat McMurray.

Please note your affiliation and years of experience in the energy and/or environmental field

I am a principal in the Energy Practice at Charles River Associates (CRA), an economic consulting firm. I have been working on energy and environmental topics since I joined CRA nearly 14 years ago.

Any particular achievement/interest in energy/environment you would like to mention?

My work in the industry is quite broad, covering climate policy, resource adequacy in electricity markets, renewable fuels policy, energy litigation, economic impact analysis, and more. I am interested in providing analytical insight to policymakers and regulators to drive policy and market design choices that address societal goals efficiently, without unintended consequences, and helping businesses to strategically respond.

I am interested in the interactions between differing energy and environmental policies across regions and trade partners. Current examples include interregional power markets with varying state support for clean energy and international trade between countries with disparate climate policies. I am particularly interested in evaluating and addressing emissions leakage.

In your opinion, what are important issues facing the energy industry nowadays?

We just witnessed a decade of monumental shifts in our industry, with two of the largest being the resurgence of domestic fuel production and the precipitous decline in renewable energy costs. Neither of these shifts were well predicted (see 2021 gas price estimates from 2008). Both shifts had major, and somewhat competing, implications for decarbonization.

As we look forward, we must acknowledge the potential for even greater shifts, including drastic changes in policy to reduce emissions. This uncertainty is an issue for an industry that generally requires large capital investments that serve as bets on the future. Further complicating decision-making are increasing extreme weather events (as observed recently in Texas and elsewhere) and other impacts of a changing climate.  Our industry has big issues to confront, which makes it interesting because there are big solutions to be found.

How long have you been a member of NCAC? Any particular NCAC memory you would like to share with us?

I have been a member of NCAC for nearly a decade. What I enjoy most of NCAC events is the ability to talk candidly with individuals passionate about energy economics who bring diverse professional backgrounds. I appreciate that event attendees come with the experiences from their jobs, but they don’t attend solely to represent their organizations.

A specific memory from a few years ago involved sending a client a report I wrote highlighting an issue with the US Renewable Fuel Standard, then heading to an NCAC lunch to hear a speaker take the exact opposite position. It led to a post-talk discussion with the speaker and three other people professionally engaged in the topic. Similar experiences have happened with other topics. I am looking forward to many more.

Pease note your affiliation and years of experience in the energy and/or environmental field

While I don’t have much experience yet in the energy economics field, I am passionate about global sustainability and climate change. Currently, I’m an intern for NCAC-USAEE and have been able to learn a lot about energy from the NCAC events and presentations hosted by members and guest speakers. 

Any particular achievement/interest in energy/environment you would like to mention?

As I mentioned above, I am interested in sustainability and creating a cleaner and healthier planet. Also, I am an economics and psychology major at Virginia Tech. I’m interested in human behavior and how we can motivate people to make choices that will create a positive impact on the environment. 

In your opinion, what are important issues facing the energy industry nowadays? 

Greenhouse gas emissions have been an ongoing topic in the news recently and I’m excited to see if the current Biden Administration can make a difference. 

How long have you been a member of NCAC? Any particular NCAC memory you would like to share with us?

I’ve been a member since November 2020. My favorite event so far was the 2021 annual dinner where in the happy hour I was able to meet several members and participate in some interesting conversations about non-fossil fuel energy and its challenges.

Please note your affiliation and years of experience in the energy and/or environmental field

I am a Director of Research & Advisory at Energy Intelligence and a Professor of the Practice at Georgetown University, where I teach an energy course. I’ve been working in the energy field for over 15 years, across a range of sectors – civil society, international development finance, consulting and academia.

Any particular achievement/interest in energy/environment you would like to mention?

Over the past year, I’ve led the development of Energy Intelligence’s Energy Transition practice, building on over a decade of work on the issue across our company. The energy transition has long been a passion of mine, so this has been a gratifying experience.

In your opinion, what are important issues facing the energy industry today?

The energy transition – driven by growing climate risks – is the single biggest challenge actors across the energy industry are confronting today and will continue to face for decades to come. Many other key issues, such as ESG pressures, emerging technologies and the shifting policy landscape, link back to this overarching, potentially existential threat. I have been heartened to see climate action rise up the industry agenda in the past year despite the pandemic, and greatly enjoy advising a range of different clients on the issue.

How long have you been a member of NCAC? Any particular NCAC memory you would like to share with us?

I’ve been a member for roughly five years, but only started to play a more active role in mid-2019, when I joined the NCAC Council. Some of my best memories were with Rita Beale and the rest of the team that worked hard to put on the 2020 Annual Conference. Although we ultimately had to cancel the conference because of COVID-19, it was rewarding to get to know my fellow NCAC members as well as the top-notch speakers that welcomed the opportunity to participate. It’s a testament to NCAC’s strong reputation and standing in a vibrant Washington, DC energy community.