RENEWABLE ENERGY SURGES
Policies, Practices, and Implications of Renewable Energy in Illinois
Thursday, September 10, 2-3 p.m. CDT
Speakers: Craig Sieben, Jen Walling, Kelly Shelton, John Wasik (Moderator)
During the COVID-19 crisis, the fossil fuel industry crashed while clean energy remained both economically and environmentally resilient. Transitioning to renewable energy is critical to solving the climate crisis and addressing environmental injustices linked to fossil fuel pollution. Illinois ranks second in the Midwest for installed renewable power capacity. This roundtable will explore the future of renewable energy from the private and public sector, current incentives, and policy needs.
Thursday, September 10, 2-3 p.m. CDT
Speakers: Craig Sieben, Jen Walling, Kelly Shelton, John Wasik (Moderator)
During the COVID-19 crisis, the fossil fuel industry crashed while clean energy remained both economically and environmentally resilient. Transitioning to renewable energy is critical to solving the climate crisis and addressing environmental injustices linked to fossil fuel pollution. Illinois ranks second in the Midwest for installed renewable power capacity. This roundtable will explore the future of renewable energy from the private and public sector, current incentives, and policy needs.
About the Speakers:
Craig Sieben, Energy Director, AECOM
Craig founded Sieben Energy Associates in 1990. For more than 26 years he has guided the firm through significant transformation in the energy industry and several macroeconomic cycles. Craig and Vice President Jerry Burin share responsibility for the firm’s on-going success.
Devoting his entire 35-year career to energy efficiency and energy management, Craig has inspired countless individuals and organizations to pursue energy resource optimization. At Sieben Energy Associates, Craig’s primary responsibilities include executive leadership, strategic vision and direction, company operations, and new business development.
Craig was honored by Crain’s Chicago Business with their 40 Under 40 designation in 1998. A fellow of the Leadership Greater Chicago, he later served as president of its Board of Directors. He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and City Club of Chicago. In 2010, he co-produced a documentary film, Carbon Nation. In 2016, Craig was a Co-Executive Producer (with Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky) on another documentary film, Defying The Nazis: The Sharps’ War. A keynote speaker at various conferences and other events, Craig has also appeared on television and in newspapers and magazines. Craig holds a B.A. in energy policy from Hampshire College.
Craig founded Sieben Energy Associates in 1990. For more than 26 years he has guided the firm through significant transformation in the energy industry and several macroeconomic cycles. Craig and Vice President Jerry Burin share responsibility for the firm’s on-going success.
Devoting his entire 35-year career to energy efficiency and energy management, Craig has inspired countless individuals and organizations to pursue energy resource optimization. At Sieben Energy Associates, Craig’s primary responsibilities include executive leadership, strategic vision and direction, company operations, and new business development.
Craig was honored by Crain’s Chicago Business with their 40 Under 40 designation in 1998. A fellow of the Leadership Greater Chicago, he later served as president of its Board of Directors. He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and City Club of Chicago. In 2010, he co-produced a documentary film, Carbon Nation. In 2016, Craig was a Co-Executive Producer (with Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky) on another documentary film, Defying The Nazis: The Sharps’ War. A keynote speaker at various conferences and other events, Craig has also appeared on television and in newspapers and magazines. Craig holds a B.A. in energy policy from Hampshire College.
Jen Walling, Executive Director, Illinois Environmental Council
Jen Walling has served as the Executive Director for the Illinois Environmental Council since January of 2011, where she oversees the strategic direction and management of the organization and lobbies decision makers on environmental issues. Jen has drafted, negotiated, lobbied and passed hundreds of bills in Springfield while working to build the power, expertise and relationships of the entire environmental community. Jen holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also received a juris doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Law and is an attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois.
Jen Walling has served as the Executive Director for the Illinois Environmental Council since January of 2011, where she oversees the strategic direction and management of the organization and lobbies decision makers on environmental issues. Jen has drafted, negotiated, lobbied and passed hundreds of bills in Springfield while working to build the power, expertise and relationships of the entire environmental community. Jen holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also received a juris doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Law and is an attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois.
Kelly Shelton, President, Shelton Solutions Inc.
Kelly has worked in the energy arena for over twenty-five years. She has held various positions of increasing responsibility including Systems Engineer, Sales Manager and Marketing Analyst for a local energy distribution company. Kelly has also served as Director of Energy Management for a large local government where she was responsible for building retrofits, LEED projects, energy procurement and co-wrote an early edition of the city’s Energy Plan. As a Certified Energy Manager named Energy Manager of the Year by the Association of Energy Engineers, Kelly’s successful career in energy and environmental management led her to launch Shelton Solutions, Inc. in 2004. Shelton Solutions has grown from reviewing the utility bills for one small neighborhood hospital to providing energy management services to the nation’s 2nd largest public transportation system – Chicago Transit Authority, 2nd most populous county – Cook County (IL), 3rd largest city – City of Chicago and 4th largest public school district – Chicago Public Schools. With the recent acquisition of Quercus Consulting, Inc., Shelton Solutions has expanded to provide increased environmental policy design and sustainability program development.
Kelly has worked in the energy arena for over twenty-five years. She has held various positions of increasing responsibility including Systems Engineer, Sales Manager and Marketing Analyst for a local energy distribution company. Kelly has also served as Director of Energy Management for a large local government where she was responsible for building retrofits, LEED projects, energy procurement and co-wrote an early edition of the city’s Energy Plan. As a Certified Energy Manager named Energy Manager of the Year by the Association of Energy Engineers, Kelly’s successful career in energy and environmental management led her to launch Shelton Solutions, Inc. in 2004. Shelton Solutions has grown from reviewing the utility bills for one small neighborhood hospital to providing energy management services to the nation’s 2nd largest public transportation system – Chicago Transit Authority, 2nd most populous county – Cook County (IL), 3rd largest city – City of Chicago and 4th largest public school district – Chicago Public Schools. With the recent acquisition of Quercus Consulting, Inc., Shelton Solutions has expanded to provide increased environmental policy design and sustainability program development.
John Wasik, Commissioner, Lake County Board (Moderator)
John Wasik is a Lake County Board member, Chair of the Forest Preserve's Planning committee and Vice Chair of the Lake County Energy and Environment Committee. As the author of 18 books, he has spoken all across North America. He's contributed to The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and other national publications.
John Wasik is a Lake County Board member, Chair of the Forest Preserve's Planning committee and Vice Chair of the Lake County Energy and Environment Committee. As the author of 18 books, he has spoken all across North America. He's contributed to The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and other national publications.
