Last night, I had the opportunity to attend “Beyond the Bill: Who Makes Climate Policy Work?” as part of Chicago Climate Week (ChiCW). It was an evening filled with thoughtful discussion, valuable networking, and a reminder that meaningful progress in climate and clean energy depends on much more than legislation alone.
A sincere thank you to Guidehouse for hosting the event in their beautiful Chicago offices and creating a welcoming space for professionals across the energy and sustainability sectors to connect and learn.
One of the highlights of the evening was hearing from Marianne Lalonde, PhD, PMP, LEED AP, who shared insights into the work of the Clean and Resilient Grid Alliance (CRGA). Her presentation reinforced the importance of collaboration among utilities, policymakers, solution providers, and implementation partners to ensure that climate policies translate into real-world results. Strong policy establishes the direction, but it takes dedicated organizations and committed individuals to turn those goals into measurable impact for communities.
Events like this also serve as a reminder of how valuable our professional networks are. It was wonderful to reconnect with familiar faces—including the indomitable Laura Derks—while also meeting new people who share a passion for advancing clean energy, grid resilience, and sustainability.
At Power Path Logistics, we see firsthand how successful energy efficiency and electrification programs rely on an entire ecosystem working together. From manufacturers and distributors to utilities, program implementers, contractors, and policymakers, every stakeholder plays an important role in delivering solutions that improve energy efficiency, strengthen the grid, and better serve customers.
Chicago Climate Week continues to highlight the innovation, partnerships, and leadership happening across our region. We’re grateful for opportunities like this to learn, collaborate, and stay connected with the people who are helping shape the future of clean energy.
Thank you again to everyone who made the event possible. We look forward to continuing the conversation and doing our part to help move the industry forward.