The American Clean Power Association (ACP), a new multi-technology renewable energy industry trade group announced today the appointment of Heather Zichal as the organization’s first Chief Executive Officer.

The ACP will officially launch on January 1, 2021, representing solar, storage, wind and transmission companies, along with manufacturers and construction companies, developers and owners/operators, utilities, financial firms and corporate purchasers in the clean energy value chain. The organization’s goal is to make renewables the dominant energy source in the United States, and it will work to champion policies that will transform the U.S. power grid to a low-cost, reliable and renewable power system.

Jim Murphy, Invenergy President and COO, and chair of the association’s transition board, said:

“American Clean Power is uniting the renewable power sector to speak with a unified voice at a time when investments in renewable energy can help solve two of the nation’s biggest challenges, rebuilding our economy and addressing climate change. With renewable energy having the potential to supply half of the nation’s electricity by 2030, Heather brings the perfect mix of experience, skills and relationships to help our industry seize this historic opportunity for further investment in the US economy.”

Prior to her appointment as CEO of ACP, Zichal served as the Executive Director of the Blue Prosperity Coalition, a global network of governments, NGOs, scientists and ocean experts working to advance sustainable, blue economy goals. She has also served as Vice President of Corporate Engagement for The Nature Conservancy, an organization with more than 1 million members working in 79 countries, dedicated to creating solutions to tackle climate change, and conserve lands, waters and oceans. Zichal served as Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change under President Obama, where she coordinated the administration’s energy and climate policy, as well as the groundbreaking Climate Action Plan. She also served as Legislative Director to then-Senator John Kerry, who has recently been appointed by President-elect Biden as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate for the incoming administration’s National Security Council.

Zichal said:

“Solving climate change means leading a clean energy transformation which will rebuild America’s economy. American Clean Power will be the leading voice for creating jobs, spurring massive investment and driving innovation, while bringing us closer to the carbon-free future we need. This is a pivotal moment to unite the entire clean power supply chain behind one organization to ensure renewable energy continues to grow into the dominant source energy for America. No job could be more inspiring.”