President’s Report — Spring 2023

With 2023 in full swing, there is no shortage of focus on the energy sector. We have seen weather events that have challenged every grid and most utilities across the US. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures have caused power outages for millions from Texas to Michigan to the northeast. The importance of our reliable power is brought to the forefront of the public’s mind routinely.

At the AWE annual conference in February, we had engaging conversations on how power companies and developers are dealing with constant challenges to meet energy demand and growth. Interconnection queues continue to grow while the supply of equipment remains a continual challenge. We discussed how policy changes influence where and how development occurs and how local permitting plays a crucial role in successful projects.

While we can’t control Mother Nature, leaders in our sector are working diligently to solve the issues in front of them. A common theme I heard from the panelists and speakers was how vital it is to build partnerships with not only our suppliers and consultants but also with communities, regulators, and internal team members. An organization’s strength is often based on how well they work with others.

AWE continues to focus on providing a resource for connections and networking between industry experts. The problems that we are each facing are both unique and common. I look forward to rolling out our new membership software this spring and making it even easier to connect with colleagues. One thing I know we have in common is the goal to provide safe, consistent power to everyone who needs it. And it will take the collective “us” to make that happen.

Trisha Elizondo
President and Board Chair

President’s Report — Fall 2022

The Association of Women in Energy’s mission is to provide opportunities for women to meet other energy industry professionals and to enhance their knowledge of issues facing the industry.  We focus on ways to encourage and unite women in energy.  We strongly believe the more women know and are engaged in the energy industry, the more value they bring to their own careers and the advancement of the companies they work for.  Our board members include an impressive list of women who have “been there and done that”.  We have lived through the changes, challenges, struggles, and continuous evolution of the energy sector.  We have learned to not only face adversity, but to be better because of it.  I encourage all members of AWE to reach out to each other, living out our mission to encourage and unite each other and enhance our knowledge of issues facing the industry.

A great way to get to know the members of AWE is to join us at our annual conference (finally back after two years!).  This year we will be focused on the challenges in the energy sector.  We will have panels with some of our industry’s leading experts focusing on permitting challenges that have caused delays and complications at many sites; policy changes that keep development in a constant state of change; interconnection struggles related to reform, delays, and high costs; and supply chains issues from equipment to transport, to labor.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to meet with other AWE members and also learn about a large amount of challenges (and opportunities) in our industry.

 

Trisha Elizondo
President and Board Chair

President’s Report — Winter 2019

We will soon close another great year for AWE.  In 2019 we continued to grow our members and corporate sponsors supporting our mission “to help women in the energy industry to enhance their knowledge of issues facing the industry and meet other energy professionals”.  The AWE Board represents some of the most outstanding women professionals in all aspects of the energy industry with executives of all disciplines from the renewables, fossil fuels, transmission, oil and gas, national and international companies as well as privately owned by Board members.  Their collective expertise covers the gamut of the broad energy industry.  In 2019, we were pleased to welcome Hunt Oil U.S, Quanta Services and Entergy as corporate sponsors for AWE.

This past October 2019 we had our annual Power Matters Conference in Austin with a broad range of energy topics from cyber security issues, competitive market challenges, financing issues, the role of gas markets and their challenges and incorporation of renewable mandates in a competitive market, grid modernization and changes for consumers (just to name a few!!).  This proved to be AWE’s most successful, substantive conference to date and well attended by energy professionals throughout the country.  Our keynote speaker, Kristine Schmidt, Director, PG&E Board offered a real-time perspective of the challenges facing PG&E with the California fires and resultant impacts to the utility.

We are planning for 2020 to be as exciting as any other and will continue to reach out to members throughout the country for particular energy issues in their areas.  Please reach out with ideas and suggestions!

Becky Motal
President and Board Chair