Energy Leadership Summit Award Winner Profile #4- Tony Usibelli

Tony Usibelli winning the Chairman’s Award at the 2018 Energy Leadership Summit

In preparation for this year’s Energy Leadership Summit, we’re profiling previous award winners to detail their experiences and to share what winning an Energy Leadership Award meant to them.

You can read our first profile on 2019 Chairman’s Award winner, Tom Ranken, here, our second profile on 2018 Individual Energy Leadership Award winner, Michael Pomfret, here, and our third profile on 2017 CleanTech Vision Award winner, Virginia Emery, here.

Our fourth profile is on 2018 Chairman’s Award winner, Tony Usibelli. Tony is now retired but is still very involved with the organization and volunteers on a number of committees. Tony has dedicated over 33 years of service to Washing and has worked tirelessly on an impressive list of green energy projects including the Western Climate Initiative, the Pacific Coast Collaborative, the Western Interstate Energy Board, National Emergency & Climate policy and a slew of both scientifically and politically sound legislation and ballot measures.

Q: What did you win the award for?

A: I received my award for my work at the WA Dept. of Commerce as Director of the State Energy Office and for the development and operation of the Clean Energy Fund.

Q: What did winning an award at the Energy Leadership Summit mean to you?

A: It was a great honor to receive the 2018 CleanTech Alliance Chairman’s Award.  I particularly appreciated the recognition from the Alliance, one of the leading clean energy and clean technology organizations in the U.S.  For me the award also underscored the long-standing partnership between the State Energy Office and the business community that is driving towards a new low carbon energy future for Washington.

Q: What was your favorite part of the Energy Leadership Summit?

A: The Energy Leadership Summit is a highlight of the year.   I particularly appreciate the wide coverage of energy and climate issues in the three track and the ability to connect and network with key leaders in the clean tech world.

Q: Do you have any advice for someone hoping to win an ELS award this year?

A: Just keep up the great work on the technologies, programs, and policies that will help us toward a lower carbon energy future.

Q: What have you accomplished in your career that you’re proud of since winning the award?

A: I retired from the Energy Office soon after receiving the award but am proud to continue volunteering with the Clean Tech Alliance and Shift Zero and working with PhD STEM student at the University of Washington on implementation of energy policy.

For more information about the 2020 Energy Leadership Summit, click here.