Francisco de la Chesnaye, Ph.D.

Responsible for executive leadership, energy strategy, and business development. Focused on mapping out solutions, energy-economic modeling, and developing policies in support of the private sector and government agencies to advance the energy system and address climate change priorities. Current priorities include: analysis of the impacts of AI and Data Centers on the energy system; assessing new energy and environmental regulations and Administration policies; evaluating new energy technologies, in particular advanced nuclear; and assessing the future demand for critical materials in the U.S. energy sector.

Co-led institute-wide initiative on integrated energy system modeling and analysis in support of EPRI’s Low Carbon Research Initiative to develop and demonstrate low-carbon energy technologies for large-scale deployment to 2050. Managed the Integrated Resilience and Strategic Planning Framework initiative to establish end-to-end integration of power system planning tools covering generation, transmission, distribution and customer resources to support decision-making of future electric power systems.

Managed EPRI’s Energy and Climate Analysis Group which provides public- and private-sector decision makers with analyses and information on the potential costs and benefits of domestic and international policy proposals and regulations. Responsible for developing research portfolio, managing member relations, and coordinating staff efforts to ensure deliverables were completed. Represented EPRI and disseminate key research results to the private sector, energy companies (CEO and executive level), federal executives, congressional offices, the media, and the general public.

Manage projects under EPRI’s Energy and Environmental Analysis Group focused on the development and application of energy-economic analytical tools for climate, energy, and environmental policy analysis of the energy sectors and overall economy. Served on EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board panel on Economy-Wide Modeling. Was a Lead Author on the 2014 U.S. Climate Assessment’s Mitigation chapter. For the National Academies of Sciences served as a member on the Carbon Audit Committee to evaluate the effects of provisions in the IRS on greenhouse gas emissions and the Committee for America’s Climate Choices as a Lead Author on a 2010 report to Congress.

Served as EPA’s Chief Climate Economist with responsibilities that included: conducting economic analyses of climate change policies and legislation for the U.S. Administration and Congress. Produced EPA’s first independent economic analysis of climate policy, the McCain-Lieberman bill of 2007, which also was the first analysis cleared by the White House in 10 years. Provided briefings to Cabinet- and Deputy-level officials from State, Treasury, Energy, EPA, Council on Environmental Quality, Council of Economic Advisors, and National Economic Council, among others, on economic analyses and related climate change issues. Participated as a Lead Author in the 2007 Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Managed an environment, health and safety program for industry in Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru with a budget of over $4 million and staff of ten for an international, non-advocacy, non-governmental organization.

Responsible for identification, evaluation, and negotiations with suppliers to ensure the delivery of raw materials for plastic manufacturing in two plants (Stamford, CT and Hackensack, NJ). Conducted market analysis and determining & managed the sourcing process by working with cross-functional departments including engineering, manufacturing, finance, and corporate management.

Dissertation title: "Technology Diffusion in Climate Mitigation Modeling and Implications for Mitigation Targets"