Renewable NW Executive Director Listed in "Influential Women in Cleantech: Top 10 in Environmental Government Work"

It’s easy to forget sometimes that most governments are designed to move slowly and methodically, as to help maintain an equilibrium in society.  However, in the face of increasing signs of climate change, this slow pace can be thoroughly frustrating.  Whether your government’s reactions to global warming have made you wallow or feel uncharacteristically violent, often focusing on the good that is going on can help ease the tensions of what you think “should” be happening.  In this edition we’ll focus on women in the government positions who are working tirelessly to protect our planet. You may find it feels good to know there are some knowledgeable people on Earth’s side.

7. Rachel Shimshak Leading the Northwest in Renewables

Director for the Renewable Northwest 

Shimshak’s mantra is “Planning is good, doing is better.” Her work as the Director of Renewable Northwest demonstrates her capability of getting green projects going. Renewable Northwest objectives are to get good projects in the ground, promote policies that support renewable and grow the green retail market. Under the leadership of Shimshak, one of the most notable achievements of Renewable Northwest is their assistance in the Northwest to create over 1,500 MW of wind, geothermal and solar projects. Nearly 900 MW of additional renewable energy projects are currently under construction, including the region’s first geothermal power plant.

In a DoE Wind Power Advocate interview she said if she could change one policy by decree she would do something about carbon. “I think the polluting industries have gotten away far too long without internalizing that cost.” The good news she says is that “utilities around the region have active requests for proposals for 1500 megawatts of renewables right now. Our current challenge is to get them [utilities] to follow through. We need reasonable transmission products and policies from them in order to accelerate renewables in the Northwest.”

To read about the rest of the influential women, click here: http://www.technicacommunications.com/10-influential-women-in-cleantech-environmental-government-work/