Two new Energy Trust board members bring depth, breadth and diverse points of view

As of February 23, two experts with rich and different backgrounds have actually joined the Energy Trust board: Silvia Tanner of Portland and Peter Therkelsen of Ashland. Both have comprehensive experience in the energy sector, and both are committed to energy justice and checking out brand-new methods to bring clean and budget friendly energy to neighborhoods underserved by Energy Trust.
Tanner has extensive experience with energy justice issues at the regional, state and federal level and is currently a senior energy policy and legal expert for the Multnomah County Office of Sustainability. In her role, she deals with clean energy and addresses how apparently neutral energy policies can prevent fair access to energy.
With a Juris Doctor degree from Lewis and Clark Law School and a bachelors degree in economics from Portland State University, Tanner is enthusiastic about attempting to understand how race and income impact a persons access to inexpensive and clean energy. An immigrant from Latin America, Tanner works on identifying and attending to barriers that people of color and others who have been underserved by clean energy programs face, and her background provides her an effective lens to see energy and equity concerns.
“I am excited to join the Energy Trust board and contribute to an organization that is crucial to guaranteeing a clean and just energy future for Oregonians,” stated Tanner.
A resident of Ashland, Peter Therkelsen is deputy of the Building and Industrial Applications Department at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he leads research and advancement of energy efficiency and energy management programs. His research focuses on commercial energy management business practices and policies, and the development and deployment of responsible heat and power innovations.
His point of view is notified by dealing with energy programs in both metropolitan and rural locations, and at a local, national and worldwide level. Therkelsen holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Irvine.
“Energy Trust has a vital role in equitably providing energy performance to guarantee Oregonians have the ability to improve their comfort, competitiveness, and quality of life through the coming energy economy transformation,” stated Therkelsen.
Energy Trusts volunteer board of directors provide strategic and policy instructions for the not-for-profit organization. Their insight guides Energy Trust programs that assist Oregonians and companies access tidy, budget friendly and fair energy, boost performances to conserve energy and lower costs, and create renewable energy.