insight
Zach Clayton joined RMI in July 2021 as an associate on the Urban Transformation team. He develops tools and resources to accelerate cities’ key priorities, including power grid and building decarbonization, nature-based solutions, and urban planning and land-use strategies. Also, Zach supports American cities’ efforts to procure renewable energy through direct technical assistance in cohort workshops.
Background
At Stanford University, Zach pursued his degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering to understand the infrastructure required to build more sustainable and equitable communities. In undergrad, he studied energy and water infrastructure development, and for his master’s program, he focused on urban water management and alternative sources of water supply, including wastewater reuse and desalination.
While working toward his graduate degree, Zach also achieved certification as an engineer-in-training and completed an internship with the Smart Surfaces Coalition. At the Coalition, he researched and quantified green stormwater infrastructure strategies to mitigate urban flooding and then established implementation plans with city officials in Baltimore, MD. Additionally, Zach calculated the economic, health, and environmental benefits of increased urban tree coverage to alleviate the urban heat island effect.
Education
MS, Environmental Engineering, Stanford University
BS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University
Location
Washington, DC
