State Energy-Based Economic Development Working Group

The State Energy-Based Economic Development State Working Group brings together State Energy Offices and state and regional economic development organizations to strategize on common priorities, learn from experts, and share best practices to promote energy-related economic development. The Working Group convenes for bi-monthly virtual calls to discuss topics such as siting and permitting, energy-based workforce development, rural energy and economic development, and manufacturing and supply chain development.

Staff Contacts

Sandy Fazeli, Senior Managing Director

sfazeli@naseo.org

Sandy Fazeli

Senior Managing Director

Sandy Fazeli leads NASEO’s Energy Economy and Buildings programs and helps lead content development for NASEO's major conferences and events. She serves as an Adjunct Fellow for the Center for Strategic and International Studies Chair in U.S. India Policy Studies and on the Advisory Board of the Energy Policy Institute at Boise State University. Previously, she served as the Vice-Chair of the City of Minneapolis's Community Environmental Advisory Commission and on the National Academies' Committee on Accelerating Decarbonization in the United States. Prior to NASEO, Ms. Fazeli worked on energy efficiency and state policy issues at the Rocky Mountain Institute, the Colorado Energy Office, and the Alliance to Save Energy. She received a Bachelor of Science in foreign service from Georgetown University and a Master of Development Practice from the University of Denver.

Grace Lowe, Program Director

glowe@naseo.org

Grace Lowe

Program Director

Grace Lowe directs NASEO's Energy Economy program, leading projects and initiatives in energy affordability and energy-based economic development and job growth.. Prior to her role at NASEO, Ms. Lowe held positions at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and D+R International. She also contributed to the City of Ithaca Sustainability Office’s Justice 50 efforts and researched the environmental justice implications of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard through two client-based courses. Ms. Lowe has a Master of Environmental Management from the Yale School of the Environment and a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College.

Arvand Golbazi, Coordinator, Energy Economy

agolbazi@naseo.org

Arvand Golbazi

Coordinator, Energy Economy

Arvand Golbazi supports a variety of NASEO’s Energy Economy projects. Prior to NASEO, Mr. Golbazi worked as a Research Associate at Guidepoint where he supported corporate clients across industries in implementing decarbonization and sustainable production strategies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in economics and a minor in environmental studies from the University of Connecticut.

Leadership Team

North Dakota
Maria Effertz, North Dakota Department of Commerce
Virginia
Vince Maiden, Virginia Department of Energy
Maine
Tagwongo Obomsawin, Maine Department of Energy Resources
Louisiana
Amanda McClinton, Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy
New Mexico
Rebecca "Puck" Stair, Energy Conservation and Management Division
Indiana
Jon Ford, Indiana Office of Energy Development