A new political consulting firm launching May 6 will work to support "emerging, game-changing clean energy technologies" as several U.S. electric utilities and other companies seek to reduce or eliminate their net carbon dioxide emissions.
The group, called Pioneer Public Affairs, consists of several former staff members for Democratic lawmakers in Congress and represents clients focused on forest carbon management, carbon sequestration and green hydrogen production.
"If my decades in Washington have taught me anything, it's that you should seize the moment and do big things when the stars align," said Eric Washburn, a Pioneer team member who previously served as senior adviser to former Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and as a Democratic staff director for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "With the talent we have at Pioneer, and the sharp focus on low-carbon, clean energy policymaking, we are perfectly positioned to assist our clients to thrive in this time of rapid change."
Other Pioneer team members include Charlie Ellsworth, former budget staff member for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; Jake Jackson, energy and environment staffer for former U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico; and Brian Willis, former federal press secretary for Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign. The firm was founded by Joe Britton, who previously served as the chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and now heads the pro-electric car Zero Emission Transportation Association.
Pioneer's clients include power generator NextEra Energy, which is the world's top wind and solar energy producer and is investing in zero-emission green hydrogen production. Other clients include SilviaTerra Inc., which operates an exchange for carbon credits generated from avoided tree harvesting, and Charm Industrial, which converts waste biomass into green hydrogen or bio-oil that can be injected underground as negative emissions.
The launch of Pioneer's consulting practice comes as Congress is working to craft infrastructure legislation that Democrats hope will include climate and clean energy provisions. Although Republicans are pushing for a smaller, more streamlined package focused on traditional infrastructure such as roads and bridges, Democrats including U.S. President Joe Biden are pushing for the addition of climate measures, including funding for advanced clean energy technologies.
"What we're facing right now... is at least a decade, if not more than that, of failure to invest in climate solutions in our infrastructure," Ellsworth said in an interview. "Really now that Democrats have the opportunity to be in power again, we really have a critical juncture facing us."
Work on infrastructure legislation in Congress is "definitely an opportunity to advance our investments in climate change," he said. "If we don't take this opportunity, it's hard to say when we'll get another one."
