38 North Solutions announced today the addition of a new team member and office opening in the Bay Area in California. Kelly Knutsen joins 38 North after serving as a lead advisor in the Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary’s office for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy where he addressed market barriers to energy efficiency, renewable energy and advanced vehicle technologies. Kelly developed solutions in finance, regulation, state and local policies, and stakeholder partnerships.
“We are thrilled that Kelly will be joining our team,” said Patrick Von Bargen, a Principal at 38 North Solutions. “As we expand our reach into states—and into the connections between federal and state policy opportunities—Kelly will be an invaluable resource given his depth of experience in our focus areas of clean energy and innovation,” echoed Katherine Hamilton, another Principal at the firm.
In addition to launching the Solar Market Pathways initiative in DOE’s SunShot program, Kelly previously served in several positions on Capitol Hill, including as the energy and environment advisor for Sen. Jack Reed, and as an AAAS fellow covering clean energy issues for Sen. Mark Udall. Kelly has previous ties to the Bay Area as well, having earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley.
“The Bay Area, and California generally, is the epicenter of innovation and clean energy,” says Kelly. “I’m excited to join 38 North to help companies and organizations engage in the California market, and to leverage their ideas into opportunities across the country through the strong federal and state connections of 38 North.”
38 North Solutions opened an office in Denver, Colorado, last year; the new presence in California will further enhance their ability to serve clients across the country, especially as states continue to develop and implement clean energy strategies in coordination with federal efforts. The firm gets its name from the 38 North latitude that runs through the U.S. Capitol and Colorado and then reaches the Pacific Ocean through the Bay Area.
Kelly’s office will be located in Oakland, CA. He can be reached at Kelly@38northsolutions.com.
