Mayoral aide Matt Watson bid adios to city hall last Friday, after accepting a job in the Washington D.C. office of Environmental Defense Fund. He’ll be working on energy policy in EDF’s Climate & Air Program, helping to get climate-protection legislation – such as the new draft just advanced by Congressman Henry Waxman – passed by the U.S. Congress. Watson earned his green credentials working tirelessly on the nuts-and-bolts implementation of the Austin Climate Protection Plan for Mayor Will Wynn. With the Wynn-Watson duo departing city hall, municipal leadership on the ACPP is now in question.
Meanwhile, over at Austin Energy on Monday, former EDF Energy Program Manager Karl Rabago started work in the “green leader” position originally held by Roger Duncan, who is now General Manager. Rabago is a nationally recognized leader in renewable energy, green power, tradable carbon credits, and new energy market development. He’s a strong hire to head up AE’s efforts on the ACPP, energy efficiency, green building, plug-in hybrids, and other programs.
This article appears in March 27 • 2009.