CUB Welcomes Two New Policy Staff
Posted on February 10, 2022 by Bob Jenks
Tags, General Interest
CUB is excited to add two talented new staff members who joined our team in January 2022. Jennifer Hill-Hart is CUB’s new Policy Manager and Kate Ayres is our new Policy Advocate. Both have great experience working on energy issues with a wide variety of community groups. And both will be involved in issues related to utilities, climate, and equity.
Jennifer Hill-Hart combines experience in utility regulation with a history of advocacy for marginalized communities. She is a tremendous addition to our team. Jennifer formerly served as Counsel to the Montana Public Service Commission. She also has a background in clean energy advocacy, environmental justice, and legal aid services in Montana, Washington, and tribal communities.
Reflecting on her new role at CUB, Jennifer said “I hope to build on CUB’s long history of clean, affordable energy advocacy. Utility regulation is an important piece of economic and environmental justice. I hope to help make this realm less intimidating and more accessible for Oregon consumers.”
Kate Ayres brings policy experience and a commitment to climate justice. She has a background in environmental policy and community organizing. She has educated hundreds of Oregonians on adding solar while with AmeriCorps/Solar Oregon. Recently Kate was a policy organizer with Unite Oregon.
Kate says that her chief goal at CUB is to create and strengthen relationships with CUB members, partner organizations, and coalitions. “I want to help demystify proceedings at the Public Utility Commission, empowering more individuals and organizations to participate. This means we can work together for just policies that serve all utility customers.”
In recent years, CUB’s work has expanded significantly. Climate change has placed utility policy at the forefront of environmental issues. The COVID pandemic and wildfires have demonstrated how vulnerable many Oregon communities are.
Today it is common for utility policy meetings to have dozens of participants. They represent an ever more diverse group of stakeholders, including climate activists, low-income service providers, and environmental justice communities. With Jennifer and Kate on our team, CUB is well positioned for the challenges ahead.
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02/11/22 | 0 Comments | CUB Welcomes Two New Policy Staff