Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation

Fellowship Year: 2008

Academic Background: Humboldt SU - MS 2010- (Environmental Systems: Energy, Environment, Society)

Current Position: Visiting Energy Efficiency Specialist , California Public Utilities Commission

Beckie Menten is the current recipient of a Switzer Leadership Grant (2010). The Leadership Grant supports her work at the California Public Utilities Commission incorporating energy efficiency best practices into IOU and local government programs. She is also actively monitoring developments to the rapidly changing Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing program landscape. Prior to working with the CPUC, Beckie worked at the City of Arcata as Energy Program Specialist for several years. In her time here, Beckie performed numerous greenhouse gas inventories, wrote and implemented several grants to fund municipal energy efficiency improvements, and championed the development of a local energy assessment financing district. Her graduate studies focused on the role local governments can play in adapting communities to a climate change defined world. Before entering the Masters program, Beckie co-directed the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology, a live-in student demonstration home on campus that focuses on spreading the message of environmental awareness and conscious living. Beckie has a great interest in interdisciplinary approaches to climate change, and works to develop a many faceted approach to reducing carbon dependence. She spent time abroad while pursuing her undergraduate degrees in French and Political Science, and was greatly influenced by actions the European governments were taking to meet Kyoto Protocol targets. She hopes someday to continue her work at the state, national, and international levels, exploring comparative approaches to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and eventually serving to influence climate change legislation. While not fighting to change the world, Beckie enjoys biking, backpacking, playing ultimate frisbee, gardening, hanging out with her dog, and just generally being outdoors.

Expertise: Energy & Climate Change, Environmental Policy & Law, Land / Open Space / Smart Growth