EERE's Clean Energy Champion Sets Out to Inspire Clean Energy Champions

Born and raised in New Mexico, Monica Sanchez was taught that the work of one person can positively impact the lives of many. With parents who were public servants—a teacher and a member of the U.S. Forest Service—she knew she wanted a career in which she could make a difference.

After graduating from Brown University, Sanchez moved to Washington, D.C., where she began her eight-year career on Capitol Hill as a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute fellow. She served in the House and Senate, where she honed her skills in crafting policy and effective communication, working to help her fellow New Mexicans.

In 2021, Sanchez joined the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), realizing the time was right for her to concentrate on supporting the clean energy transition. Her commitment to addressing pressing issues, alongside the notable presence of research facilities in her home state, further solidified her decision.

"I've focused my career on fighting climate change," says Sanchez. "And, being from New Mexico, where we have several national labs, it just made sense to join my neighbors and colleagues in continuing to find clean energy solutions."

Sanchez is the director of external affairs at DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Her primary responsibility is crafting messaging that resonates with the American people and working with stakeholders in the public and private sectors to build a national network of Clean Energy Champions. This involves distilling technical information for a vast group of audiences to make the benefits of clean energy abundantly clear to everyone. Her vision is a Clean Energy Champion in every U.S. household.

Sanchez's dedication to clean energy extends beyond her professional life—it is ingrained in her daily routine. She incorporates sustainable practices into her lifestyle and strives for energy efficiency at home.

"I have solar panels on my house, and I look for opportunities to take public transportation, decrease my overall consumption of new items by purchasing items secondhand, and reuse materials—when I renovated my house, I integrated salvaged materials throughout," says Sanchez. "I do what I can to take individual action to protect our environment while also being a part of the clean energy workforce as a self-declared Clean Energy Champion."

Sanchez is driven by the prospects of clean energy and its boundless possibilities. She's fascinated by the continuous innovation she sees in the field, through research at universities and the national labs. Perhaps most important for her role at EERE, Sanchez draws inspiration from the growing interest in clean energy among the American people. She is particularly energized by the investments and infrastructure initiatives undertaken by the Biden-Harris administration.

"It's interesting to see the level of engagement from our youth and the investments that we're making as a country," says Sanchez. "Americans, in general, want to take advantage of the tax credits or learn more about how their communities and families are benefitting from the infrastructure investments. And it is my job to make this information accessible to all Americans."

Witnessing individuals have their own "lightbulb moment" when they realize they can act, whether through personal choices or civic engagement, adds to the excitement and momentum in tackling environmental challenges, she says.

Ultimately, this new frontier of transitioning to a clean energy economy is so big that it requires collective action and participation from all, Sanchez says. "I think there's an opportunity for everyone to be a Clean Energy Champion, from adopting a clean energy technology to working in the industry or simply educating themselves on the benefits of clean energy—every American has a role—and I encourage them to join us."