Laurie is a Senior Writer/Editor for Rocky Mountain Institute.
Laurie has over 20 years of experience in renewable energy technologies. Prior to joining RMI, Laurie was the International Program Manager for Solar Energy International (SEI), where she organized renewable energy trainings around the world. She also wrote articles for environmental magazines and was green building editor for Home Power magazine.
Laurie has extensive experience working on and documenting rural electrification renewable energy projects throughout Latin America. She spent a year installing solar rural electrification systems in repatriated refugee communities in El Salvador with an organization she cofounded called Solar Community Projects, and spent a year working on solar water distillation at the Engineering University in Managua, Nicaragua. Laurie has also led renewable energy and energy efficiency tours of Cuba with Eco-Cuba Network since 1996. Laurie currently serves as an advisory board member to Remote Energy, a nonprofit organization serving as a technical/teaching arm for organizations that are working on international clean energy programs.
M.Sc., Energy Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder
BA, Mathematics, Colorado College
Awards: Phi Beta Kappa, National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow
Basalt, CO
“The best thing about working at RMI is knowing that I am part of transforming the energy system and creating a better future for not only my son but all the children on the planet.”
As the intensity and frequency of hurricanes and typhoons increase, islands—which contribute little to climate change—are suffering disproportionate damage to their energy infrastructure and economies, and thus their people’s health and wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic has only served to exacerbate this disparity as island economies suffer greatly from the lack…
One of the key recommendations of this report is to ensure inclusive multi-stakeholder collaboration. This entails communicating clear market signals to suppliers and upstream equipment providers and coordinating closely among practitioners and installers.
RMI STATEMENT FOR PRIDE MONTH: We at RMI proudly stand with our LGBTQ+ staff, contractors, partners, and supporters in celebrating Pride Month. We believe this is an opportunity to acknowledge the LGBTQ+ community’s contributions to the energy transition and the fight against climate change. Pride Month is a time of…
Countries around the world have committed to undertake ambitious climate action as part of the Paris Agreement. However, development of climate solutions cannot be solely dependent on limited concessional funds from multilateral institutions. Instead, they must be country driven and enabled by local ownership that drives investment and attracts…
As COVID-19 spreads, more and more states are enacting “shelter in place” and “stay at home” orders. We are all in being pushed to extremes—emotionally, mentally, and physically. In these trying times, it is important to stay healthy, and take good care of yourself and your family. We are also…
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the globe, the collective crisis we are facing right now is unprecedented in recent history. It is affecting the health and wellness of families all over the world, straining medical systems, upending lives, creating massive unemployment, and generating an air of fear and uncertainty.
The National Postcode Lottery of the Netherlands has awarded Rocky Mountain Institute a gift of €1.4 million (US$1.6 million) for general support at its annual Goed Geld Gala (Good Money Gala). RMI Managing Director Marty Pickett accepted the award last week in Amsterdam. The Postcode Lottery is the second-largest…
The last three years have seen major hurricanes wreak havoc on island nations. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Dorian caused catastrophic damage to homes, infrastructure, and economies throughout the Caribbean basin. At the same time, the use of solar photovoltaic (PV) power is increasing on Caribbean islands—helping reduce costs and…
As we embark on a new decade, we are reflecting on the many exciting advancements in the building industry. One highlight from last year was the Getting to Zero Forum held in October in Oakland California. This event brought together over 600 leading policymakers, building owners, architects, designers, system manufacturers,…
To keep average global temperature rise to less than 1.5°C—which the IPCC states is necessary to avoid climate catastrophe—we need to fix our buildings. They are the largest end-users of energy, producing nearly 40 percent of US carbon emissions. Today, only a small fraction of our buildings do not produce…