On-Demand Webinar | Free
This webinar was recorded on January 13, 2026.This webinar, presented by IESNA partner Canary Media, explores how state and regional initiatives are shaping the next phase of renewable energy growth across the United States, filling the gap left by inconsistent federal policy and driving a ground-up clean energy transition.
Experts from diverse regions â including the Southwest, Southeast, and Midwest â share on-the-ground progress in key areas: clean energy manufacturing, regional energy market development, grid modernization, and workforce development. Rather than focusing on national-level talking points, this webinar takes a practical, region-by-region look at what is working and where momentum is building.
What you’ll take away:- An overview of regional clean energy strategies across the Southwest, Southeast, and Midwest
- Insights into grid modernization efforts and energy market reshaping at the regional level
- A look at clean energy manufacturing and workforce trends driving local growth
- Perspectives from practitioners working on the front lines of the energy transition
This webinar extends the conversation from the IESNA Flagship 2026 keynote, Regional Blueprints for America’s Clean Energy Future.
Speakers
Patricia Zavala, Executive Director, PowerHouse Texas
Patricia Zavala is the Executive Director of the Texas Energy & Climate Caucus and PowerHouse Texas, where she has built two of the stateâs leading bipartisan platforms for shaping Texasâs energy future. With nearly 15 years of experience in policy and leadership, she develops programs that train emerging leaders, connect stakeholders with decision-makers, and advance practical, evidence-based solutions. She has helped convene a bipartisan coalition of more than 60 Texas legislators and previously worked with the United Nations on international policy initiatives, as well as directing statewide programs focused on workforce and civic engagement in Texas. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Patricia holds dual masterâs degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, a bachelorâs from UC Santa Barbara, and serves on the boards of the Texas EV Education Project and the Clean Energy Fund of Texas, working to ensure Texas stays strong, competitive, and energy-resilient.
Simon Mahan, Executive Director, Southern Renewable Energy Association
Simon Mahan is the Executive Director of the Southern Renewable Energy Association, a nonprofit trade association focused on promoting clean energy in the south. He has run the organization for over ten years, and mostly focuses on integrated resource planning processes, and transmission planning. For over twenty years, Simon has worked in the not-for-profit space on local, state, regional and federal advocacy efforts. He and his family reside in Little Rock, Ark.
Suzanne Singer, Founder & Executive Director, Native Renewables
Suzanne Singer (DinĂ©) co-founded Native Renewables (NRI) with a vision to provide affordable solar energy access for tens of thousands of Hopi and Navajo (DinĂ©) families who live without electricity. NRI installs off-grid solar energy solutions while growing a local workforce. Singer was honored as a 2024 Grist 50 climate leader, a 2021 Echoing Green Fellow, and winner of the 2019 U.S. Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) Entrepreneurship Award. She earned a PhD and MS in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley, and a BS from the University of Arizona. Prior to Native Renewables, Singer was a staff engineer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. She was also featured in the book, âEveryday Superheroes: Women in Energy Careers.
Doug Scott, Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission
Doug Scott was appointed Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission by Governor J.B. Pritzker on June 17, 2023. This is Scottâs second stint as Chair, having served in that position from 2011-2015. Between engagements with the ICC, Scott was Vice President of the Great Plains Institute, where he worked on decarbonization efforts with States, utilities and other interested parties. His team at GPI focused on utility business models, transmission and clean energy/climate plans. As part of that work, Scott served as an advisor to the Illinois Governorâs Office on energy and environmental issues, including development of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.
Before his first session with the ICC, Scott served in a variety of public sector positions for over twenty-five years, including Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Mayor of the City of Rockford, State Representative and City Attorney for Rockford. A native of Rockford, Scott received his Bachelor of Arts with honors from the University of Tulsa, and a Juris Doctorate with honors from Marquette University.
Moderator:
Eric Wesoff, Executive Director, Canary Media
Eric Wesoff is the executive director at Canary Media. Heâs a prominent industry journalist, analyst, consultant, speaker and expert witness in the renewable energy field. He has expertise in clean technology investing and finance, utility structures and regulatory climate, solar power, energy storage, microgrids and the electrical grid.
He most recently served as senior editor for solar publication pv magazine. Prior to that, he was editor-in-chief at green technology market analysis and media firm Greentech Media. He has been published or quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Wired.
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