Nate Hausman, Advocacy, Vermont
Nate Hausman is a clean energy markets manager at World Resources Institute, and he lives in Montpelier, Vermont. He’s been in the industry for over 8 years.
Why is clean energy important to you? Part of why I love working in clean energy is that the field is never static. Just when you think you’ve grasped a component of it, the ground shifts or new information reveals the gaps in your knowledge from before. The field is rapidly evolving. In 2015, there were no offshore wind turbines installed in the US. By the end of 2019, the US had 6,439 megawatts of offshore wind with offtake agreements in place, with another 12 megawatts of offshore wind under construction and 30 megawatts already installed. When I entered the solar field, community solar was an emerging concept. Now, there is at least 5,219 MW of installed community solar capacity in the US with active projects in 40 states and the District of Columbia.
What’s your proudest accomplishment in clean energy? A key component of my work has been helping to enable under-resourced communities access the benefits of solar energy. I am proud to help build an inclusive clean energy economy.
What did you do before entering clean energy? I was a private practice attorney.
How did you first get introduced to clean energy? It was dumb luck that I got hired in the industry, but I'm so glad I was. I haven't looked back.
How does clean energy impact your community? It's building community wealth and decarbonizing our energy supply.
What is something you wish more people knew about your job? It's fun! My colleagues in the clean energy field are the best!
Why should Congress invest in clean energy jobs, not fossil fuel jobs? Clean energy represents an investment in the future.