The future of renewable energy siting in Minnesota

Nathan Cummins is The Nature Conservancy's Great Plains Renewable Energy Strategy Director. In this role, Nathan leads renewable energy strategy and policy for TNC's Great Plains state chapters, focusing on accelerating renewable energy deployment while protecting lands and waters throughout the region. Prior to this position, Nathan worked for six years in the Conservancy's External Affairs department, where he focused on corporate engagement and infrastructure policy. Prior to joining The Nature Conservancy, Nathan worked at the White House Council on Environmental Quality on public engagement with key Obama Administration environmental initiatives. Nathan holds a Bachelor's degree from DePauw University and an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.

Sarah joined CLOSUP in September 2013 as a policy analyst, and transitioned to a postdoctoral fellowship in January 2015, then to senior project manager in February 2018. In this role, she manages CLOSUP's Energy and Environmental Policy Initiative (EEPI), including the National Surveys on Energy and the Environment (NSEE) and the new Energy and Environmental Policy Research Group, expanding the reach of UM's research related to renewable energy policy. Sarah's own research considers how energy development impacts rural communities, and in turn how state and local policies facilitate or hinder renewable energy development. Sarah received her doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Michigan, where her dissertation looked at the impact that wind energy projects have on farming communities. She has a master's in engineering for sustainable development from the University of Cambridge, and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Villanova University. Sarah also serves on the City of Ann Arbor Planning Commission.

Brian Ross, AICP, LEED GA, is a Vice President at the Great Plains Institute, leading GPI’s renewable energy market transformation efforts in the Midwest and nationally.  Brian joined the institute after 20 years as a consultant working with local, regional, and state governments on climate and energy planning, policy, and regulation.  He managed stakeholder engagement and technical committee facilitation for the MN Solar Pathways project, identifying barriers and solutions to deep penetration of renewable energy in Minnesota and the Midwest.  He currently directs GPI’s technical assistance for the national SolSmart certification program for local governments, is helping lead national research efforts on integrating renewable energy development with natural systems and for water quality benefits, and is developing work on non-electric integration of renewable energy systems.