Juancho Eekhout (MPP’01), Director of Origination and Portfolio Design at San Diego Gas and Electric, was invited to the U.S. Capitol to address the House of Representatives Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus co-chaired by Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) and Chris Van Hollen(D-MD).
Juancho’s presentation, Trends and Barriers to Increased Deployment and Investment in Renewables, provided an overview of the status of the industry from an insider’s perspective. He focused on market trends and policy drivers for the recent success of U.S. renewables and examined the key factors needed for continued deployment.
“I conveyed the message that the widespread implementation of renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and economic incentives – such as the production and investment tax credits – have been key to the increased share of renewables within the American power industry,” Eekhout said. “This success has provided benefits for both the economy and the environment. Going forward, without extending the tax credits, it is hard to see how the industry would not not face a slowdown in the short to mid-term.”
In addition to Eekhout’s speech, the meeting also featured panel discussions covering: an analysis of the macro fundamentals; commercial dynamic and public policies impacting the energy sector; new innovations in the power sector and challenges to job creation and competitiveness.
Originally from Venezuela, Eekhout came to the University of Chicago in 1999 to pursue his MPP degree at Chicago Harris. After receiving his degree—and meeting his future wife at Harris—he returned to Venezuela and began a career in the energy industry that has taken him to positions in Mexico, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
“It was very exciting to be invited to speak before the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus,” he aid. “I was able to engage in dialogue with policymakers, and to meet with the leaders shaping America’s energy strategy. It was a thrill and an honor.”
