Building Energy Infrastructure: Lessons from the Big Dig & Where We Go From Here

Ian Coss is a creator of acclaimed podcasts. His 9-part documentary “The Big Dig” was named one of the best podcasts of 2023 by The New Yorker and Vulture, while spending over six weeks in the Top 100 shows on Apple Podcasts. Previously, his audio memoir "Forever is a Long Time" was named one of the best podcasts of 2021 by The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Apple Podcasts. 
 
As a founding member of PRX Productions, he has produced and scored several limited series with the Radiotopia network — Ways of Hearing, The Great God of Depression, Over the Road, Blind Guy Travels, and My Mother Made Me — and launched the long-running Antiques Roadshow podcast, Detours. His work has appeared on Snap Judgement and 99 Percent Invisible; it has been featured at the Tribeca Film Festival, and recognized with multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards as well as a nomination for ‘Podcast of the Year’ from the Podcast Academy. 

In 2015, Rebecca Tepper joined the Office of Attorney General Maura Healey, first serving as Deputy Chief of EEB and Chief of AG Healey’s Energy and Telecommunications Division before being appointed Chief of the Energy and Environment Bureau. During her time at the AG’s office, she advised on energy policy and served as the state’s ratepayer advocate before regulators and courts.

Prior to joining the AG’s Office, Tepper was General Counsel to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU), serving as the chief legal advisor and overseeing all DPU adjudicatory and rulemaking proceedings. Tepper also served as Director of the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board and represented the state on the Eastern Interconnection States’ Planning Council.

Before working for the Commonwealth, Tepper was a partner at Rubin and Rudman in Boston, representing developers throughout the Northeast in siting, permitting, financing, and contracting of renewable, distributed generation, and conventional energy facilities. A graduate of Boston University School of Law and the University of Wisconsin, Tepper resides in Lexington with her husband and twin sons.

Maria Duaime Robinson was the first Korean-American elected to the Massachusetts General Court, where she served in the House of Representatives from 2019-2022. While in office, she led the bicameral Clean Energy Caucus, was the Massachusetts state lead for the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators where she also served on the board, and was the only state legislator on the U.S. EPA Clean Air Act Advisory Committee. She also served on faculty at Tufts University's School of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy, bringing her expertise in energy policy to graduate students. Prior to her election in 2018, Maria led Advanced Energy United's Wholesale Markets Program, including engagement at FERC and the regional transmission organizations.   

Previously, she focused on regulatory issues relating to energy and air, including a 27-state campaign with Governors' offices, legislatures, and energy and environmental regulators. She also managed AEE’s report development and data-driven analysis at both the state and national level. She worked for Navigant Consulting in the renewable energy practice, supporting the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in analyzing and procuring contractors for statewide renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.   

Maria is a proud lifetime Girl Scout. She holds an S.B. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Masters of Jurisprudence in Energy Law from the University of Tulsa.   

Laura Bartsch is responsible for Advanced Energy United’s sales and marketing efforts, overseeing a team focused on revenue growth and working to facilitate a deeper understanding of our members’ business and policy goals to maximize their participation in Advanced Energy United's activities. Before joining Advanced Energy United, she was a co-founding Principal of Millville Partners, a strategic marketing firm. Laura’s career incorporates experience in design, marketing and branding, strategic planning and facilitation, project management, and client relations. Laura is Chair of the Rhode Island Distributed Generation Board. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC) and for PowerOptions, the largest nonprofit energy consortium in New England.

Joseph A. Curtatone serves as President of the Northeast Clean Energy Council, a driving force behind the formation of a diverse climate economy. NECEC champions clean energy policy, serves as the voice for companies looking to lead the charge on energy transition and fosters climate tech startups with the potential to make serious environmental, economic, and social impact. Before stepping into his role at NECEC, Curtatone forged a reputation for being one of the most innovative mayors in the United States as the nine-term Mayor of Somerville, MA. He is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School, the New England School of Law, and Boston College. 

Jeremy McDiarmid leads Advanced Energy United’s National Policy Council and oversees state and regional policy activities in New England. He also serves as General Counsel for the organization. Prior to joining Advanced Energy United, Jeremy served as Vice President for Policy & Government Affairs at the Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC) where he played a key role in helping northeastern states take significant strides along the path to 100% clean energy. He has served in leadership roles at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the NGO advocacy organization Acadia Center.