Johanna Neumann, [email protected], is the senior director of Environment America Research & Policy Center’s clean energy program. Johanna oversees our work to set ambitious clean energy goals at the state and national level and make sure Americans understand the benefits that renewable sources of energy, especially solar and wind, bring to our communities vs. the dangers of fossil fuels and nuclear power. Johanna has been quoted in major publications including the Washington Post, The Hill and CNN. She has appeared in an NBC News package about solar power and battery storage keeping the lights on during natural disasters. Johanna lives in Western Massachusetts.
Climate change; data and research
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Tony Dutzik, [email protected], is associate director and senior policy analyst with Frontier Group, a public policy think tank, where he has authored dozens of reports on a wide array of topics, including climate change. A former journalist, Tony’s research and ideas on climate, energy and transportation policy have helped shape public policy debates across the United States and have earned coverage in outlets from National Public Radio to the New York Times and the Financial Times.
Conservation
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Steve Blackledge, [email protected], is the senior director of Environment America Research & Policy Center’s conservation program, which works to protect our public lands and waters and the species that depend on them — from the Tongass National Forest in Alaska to the Florida Keys. He led our successful campaign to win full and permanent funding for our nation’s best conservation and recreation program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Steve has appeared on and in a wide variety of media outlets, including CBS This Morning. He lives in Sacramento.
Consumer safety and protections
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Teresa Murray, [email protected] is the director of U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s Consumer Watchdog program. She has written or overseen reports and analyses on topics including price gouging during emergencies, toxic products and scams. She’s passionate about educating people about predatory tactics they may face when they’re vulnerable. Prior to joining U.S. PIRG Education Fund in 2020, Teresa worked as a business journalist and consumer columnist for more than 20 years for Ohio’s largest daily newspaper. Her work with U.S. PIRG Education Fund has been featured by outlets including CNN, NPR, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. Teresa lives in Cleveland.
Forests and public lands
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Ellen Montgomery, [email protected], is the director of Environment America Research & Policy Center’s Great Outdoors campaign, working to protect America’s beautiful places, from local beachfronts to remote mountain peaks. Prior to her current role, Ellen worked as the organizing director for Environment America’s Climate Defenders campaign. Ellen lives in Denver.
Utilities and insurance:
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Abe Scarr, [email protected], is the director of U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s energy and utilities program. He develops and runs campaigns at the intersection of consumer protection and climate change, including regarding utility regulation and homeowners insurance. Abe is regularly quoted by the media on energy, utility, insurance and consumer protection issues. Abe lives in Chicago.
State experts:
Alaska
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Dyani Lezama, [email protected], is Alaska Environment Research & Policy Center’s state director. She’s worked on expanding renewable energy, passing Right to Repair legislation, and building awareness around plastic pollution. Before that, she worked with citizen outreach offices and efforts throughout the Western United States on a variety of environmental issues. Dyani lives in Anchorage.
Arizona
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Diane E. Brown, [email protected], is Arizona PIRG Education Fund’s executive director. Diane has worked with the State PIRGs for more than 40 years, including more than 20 in her current role. She is a leader in protecting consumers from unfair marketplace abuses and unsafe products; fostering accessible, accountable government; and promoting 21st century energy and transportation options. Diane frequently works with diverse entities; advocates and testifies before elected and governmental officials; and appears on broadcast and in print media across the state. Diane has helped secure public interest victories at the Arizona Legislature, the Arizona Corporation Commission and various state agencies. She lives in the Phoenix area.
California:
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Laura Deehan, [email protected], is Environment California Research & Policy Center’s state director. She stepped into the state director role in January 2021 after about 20 years on staff. Laura has led campaigns to make sure California goes big on offshore wind, to save solar and to get lead out of school drinking water. Laura has appeared in and on a wide array of California and national media. The New York Times, USA Today, NBC News and NPR, among others, have quoted her. Laura lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Jenn Engstrom,[email protected], is CALPIRG Education Fund’s state director. She is a leading voice in Sacramento and across the state on protecting public health, consumer protections and defending our democracy. Before moving into her current role, Jenn led CALPIRG’s organizing team for years and managed our citizen outreach offices across the state, running campaigns to ban single-use plastic bags, stop the overuse of antibiotics and promote 100% renewable energy. Jenn lives in Los Angeles.
Colorado
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Henry Stiles, [email protected], is the advocate with Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center, leading campaigns to reduce waste and protect wildlife and open spaces. He is a bird watcher and amateur wildlife photographer, which is what drew him to environmental work. Henry lives near Boulder.
Minnesota
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Katelynn Rolfes, [email protected], is the conservation advocate with Environment Minnesota Research & Policy Center. She develops campaign strategies and builds coalitions at the state, regional and federal level. Much of her work has involved the Boundary Waters. Katelynn lives in the Twin Cities.
North Carolina and South Carolina
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Emily Mason, [email protected], is the advocate with Environment North Carolina Research & Policy Center. Emily advocates for cleaner air, water, clean energy and protecting wildlife and wild places in North Carolina. She lives in the Raleigh-Durham area.
Oregon and Washington
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Celeste Meiffren-Swango, [email protected] is the director of Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center and oversees the entire Pacific Northwest for The Public Interest Network. She has worked on issues ranging from preventing plastic pollution to stopping global warming, defending clean water and protecting our beautiful places. Celeste’s organizing has helped to reduce kids’ exposure to lead in drinking water at childcare facilities in Oregon, encourage transportation electrification, ban single-use plastic grocery bags, defend our bedrock environmental laws and more. She is also the author of the children’s book, Myrtle the Turtle, which empowers kids to prevent plastic pollution. Celeste lives in Portland.
Oregon
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Charlie Fisher, [email protected], is OSPIRG (Oregon State PIRG) Foundation’s state director. He directs campaigns to rein in the cost of health care, get big money out of politics and stand up for consumers. He previously worked with Environment Oregon. Charlie’s work has earned coverage in the Oregonian and other local and regional news outlets. Charlie lives in Portland.
Texas
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Luke Metzger, [email protected], is the executive director of Environment Texas Research & Policy Center. He has led successful campaigns to win permanent protection for the Christmas Mountains of Big Bend; to compel Exxon, Shell, Chevron Phillips and Petrobras to cut air pollution at Texas refineries and chemical plants; and to boost state funding for water conservation and parks. He’s also written about the problems of wildfires in Texas. In Spring 2022, Luke was a featured expert on three panels/tours at the Society of Environmental Journalists’ annual conference. He has extensive on-air experience, including appearances on CNN, MSNBC and NPR. Luke has been quoted widely by publications including the Guardian, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Luke lives in Austin.
