Lisa Schwartz

Lisa Schwartz

Lisa Schwartz is a senior Energy Policy Researcher and Strategic Advisor for Berkeley Lab's Energy Markets and Policy Department. She leads technical assistance, training, and research for states on integrated distribution system planning, resilience planning, distributed energy resources and utility regulation. She also leads Berkeley Lab's innovative Future Electric Utility Regulation report series, tapping leading thinkers to provide multiple perspectives on complex regulatory issues for the electricity sector to inform ongoing discussion and debate.

Lisa received the 2018 Mary Kilmarx Award from the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, in recognition of individuals “who have gone above and beyond in the name of good governance, clean energy, and the environment.”

Before joining Berkeley Lab, Lisa was Director of the Oregon Department of Energy, overseeing state programs to advance energy efficiency, renewable energy and alternative transportation fuels, as well as energy facility siting, nuclear safety and energy emergency preparedness. She also provided leadership on state energy policy.

As a senior associate at the Regulatory Assistance Project, Lisa worked with Berkeley Lab to coordinate utility technical assistance for studies on the impact of time-varying rates and smart grid technologies, to evaluate energy efficiency and other demand-side resources in Western U.S. transmission planning, and to provide technical assistance to states on energy efficiency and distributed generation. She also led Western Governors’ Association projects to explore coordinating utility resource procurement with regional transmission needs, identify least-cost ways to integrate wind and solar, and assess energy efficiency and other policies to complement the Western Climate Initiative’s proposed cap and trade program.

At the Oregon Public Utility Commission, Lisa was staff lead on resource planning and procurement, distributed generation, renewable resources, demand response and advanced metering infrastructure. As a senior policy analyst at Oregon Department of Energy, she helped establish stable funding and independent administration for energy efficiency programs for utility customers, led a project to conserve both water and energy, and directed an annual energy efficiency campaign with utilities and retailers. She began her energy career as assistant administrator of the Oregon State University Extension Energy Program.

Lisa received an M.S. in Land Resources from University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.S. in Environmental Studies from George Washington University.

Contact Information

Phone: 510-926-1091

Awards

2018 Mary Kilmarx Award -  February 11th 2019

Lisa Schwartz, Deputy Leader and Energy Efficiency Team Leader in the Electricity Markets and Policy Group, received the 2018 Mary Kilmarx Award from the Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).

The award is given to "individuals who have gone above and beyond in the name of good government, clean energy, and the environment." The award was presented on February 11, 2019 during NARUC’s 2019 Winter Policy Summit in Washington, DC.

"Lisa Schwartz has been a dedicated and tireless champion, supporter, expert, and trail blazer for positive regulatory innovation across the states,” the Committee said in announcing the award. They cited her leadership on energy efficiency policy and the technical assistance she provides to states. They also lauded her Future Electric Utility Regulation report series and the training and education she manages for states on distribution system planning.

Spot: Lisa Schwartz -  April 26th 2016

Outstanding contributions to the preparation and completion of the Electricity End Uses, Energy Efficiency, and Distributed Energy Resources Baseline Report.

Publications

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