In the climate and energy sector, where women remain significantly underrepresented, the Chair of the Public Utility Regulatory Authority, Marissa Gillett, is an inspiration to others.
However, Gillett is currently up for reappointment and her confirmation at the General Assembly is far from certain. Her potential non-reappointment represents more than just a leadership change – it symbolizes a concerning step backward in the fight for gender equity in our industry.
As a woman working in climate policy, I’ve witnessed firsthand how figures like Gillett illuminate the path forward for countless others aspiring to make their mark in this male-dominated field.
When I began engaging in regulatory work in Connecticut, Gillett’s presence was more than just inspirational – it was transformative. Here was a woman who embodied the multifaceted expertise our industry desperately needs: an engineer who understands the technical complexities, a lawyer who can navigate regulatory frameworks, and a leader who recognizes that climate policy must serve all communities equitably.
Her leadership style demonstrates that technical competence and empathetic governance aren’t mutually exclusive – they’re complementary strengths that enhance policy-making.
The timing of this potential leadership change is particularly troubling. At a moment when women’s rights and autonomy face unprecedented challenges at the federal level, the potential removal of one of our industry’s most prominent female leaders sends a chilling message. It suggests that even when women excel in their roles, bringing both technical expertise and innovative leadership to the table, their positions remain precarious.
What’s particularly disturbing has been the utility companies’ response to Gillett’s leadership. Their characterizations of her regulatory decisions have often dripped with gendered undertones, dismissing her evidence-based directives as “irrational.” This pattern of misogynistic language isn’t just unprofessional; it reveals the deep-seated gender bias that still pervades our industry, especially when women in power challenge the status quo.
This isn’t just about one leadership position. It’s about the signal we send to the next generation of climate leaders. Every young woman entering this field looks for evidence that there’s a place for her at the decision-making table. Gillett’s presence has been that evidence for many of us. Her removal would reverberate far beyond Connecticut, potentially deterring talented women from pursuing careers in climate policy and regulation at a time when we desperately need diverse perspectives to tackle the climate crisis.
The climate industry’s gender imbalance isn’t just a matter of representation – it’s a hindrance to effective policy-making.
For those of us working to make the climate sector more welcoming and equitable, the decision about Gillett’s reappointment will be a litmus test. Will we continue to progress toward a more inclusive industry, or will we signal that women’s leadership remains conditional and temporary, even when accompanied by exceptional qualifications and demonstrated success?
As we face increasingly complex climate challenges, we cannot afford to lose leaders like Marissa Gillett. Her expertise, experience, and perspective are invaluable assets in our fight against climate change. More importantly, her presence signals to every young woman in the field that their ambitions are valid, their expertise is valued, and their leadership is essential. For the sake of current and future generations of women in climate policy, we must ensure that trailblazers like Gillett can continue to lead the way forward.
Lindsay Griffin is Northeast Regulatory Director of Vote Solar.