Getting to zero by 2050 might be the most difficult challenge humanity has ever taken on. That’s because nearly everything we do in our daily lives contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, from how we plug in to how we grow things, make things, get around, and stay cool and warm.

Breakthrough Energy is committed to supporting new technologies that change the way we live, eat, work, travel, and make things so we can avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change.

Cristina Shoffner manages strategic initiatives for Breakthrough Energy’s U.S. Policy & Advocacy team. She leads the policy team’s private sector engagement and supports strategy development to advance Breakthrough Energy’s efforts towards an ambitious U.S. climate policy agenda that encourages innovation and accelerates the deployment of clean technologies.

Cristina joined Breakthrough Energy in January 2021 from the United States Senate, where she served as policy advisor to U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and Senate Democratic Leadership. There, she supported Senator Stabenow’s energy and environmental policy agenda and responsibilities as chair of the Senate Democratic Policy & Communications Committee.
Before serving in the Senate, Cristina was Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs in the White House Council on Environmental Quality under President Obama.

Show Notes:

[2:07] - Cristina shares her background and what drove her to pursue a career focused on energy policy and advocacy.
[4:08] - In 2020, Cristina had been working in the Senate but wanted to work in the private sector when she was recruited by Breakthrough Energy.
[5:45] - Breakthrough Energy is an impact platform committed to helping the world avoid climate disaster.
[7:04] - Cristina describes some of the programs offered by Breakthrough Energy and what the teams in each program work on.
[10:21] - Breakthrough Energy has a massive platform of companies and innovators to tap into.
[12:32] - The work at Breakthrough Energy is rooted in science and technology.
[14:34] - Cristina shares some of the initiatives that she is most excited about.
[17:18] - There has been so much legislation passed and it can seem overwhelming and confusing for companies to leverage.
[19:23] - There are many Breakthrough Energy innovations that are really exciting and Cristina is very optimistic.
[23:04] - What are the biggest challenges across cleantech?
[25:20] - Cristina shares some areas that could use some more collaboration with lawmakers.
[27:19] - Looking ahead, Breakthrough Energy is optimistic.

Links and Resources:

• Breakthrough Energy Website
• The White House's Climate Capital Guidebook​
• The White House's IRA Guidebook
• Inflation Reduction Act | U.S. Department of the Treasury
• Cipher - Climate Tech News
• Clean Investment Monitor
• Clean Energy Business Network Funding Database
• Clean Energy Business Network Insight into Federal Programs blogs: Insight into Federal Programs
• American Energy Innovators Network
• Clean Energy for America Blog