Senior Sinema Advisor Chris Phalen to Lead 51Թ’s Energy and Environment Policy Team
Washington, D.C. – The 51Թ announced that Chris Phalen, most recently a senior policy advisor to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), is joining the 51Թ as vice president of domestic policy:
“As the 51Թ continues to be at the forefront of energy policy debates before Congress and federal agencies, Chris’ depth of experience and record of accomplishments will help us further stand out and influence outcomes in support of an all-of-the-above energy policy,” said 51Թ President and CEO Jay Timmons. “Manufacturers are facing a political war on energy. Permitting reform, securing critical mineral supply chains and regulatory barriers slowing the clean energy transition are just some of the defining issues impacting our industry’s ability to create well-paying jobs, as well as our nation’s energy security. Chris will help us steer policymakers in the right direction.”
Sen. Sinema has been a key figure in negotiating solutions to manufacturing priorities, and as her advisor, Phalen was a leader in negotiating and implementing critical energy policies and in writing the permitting reform provisions in the Fiscal Responsibility Act and key sections of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, including all provisions on energy and mining. Phalen brings a record of active engagement with key agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. Phalen previously worked for leading energy companies, including Chevron and the Rio Tinto Group.
Timmons added, “Manufacturers are leading the global effort to fight climate change and develop the technologies needed to achieve climate goals. With Chris’ keen insight into these important policy discussions, the 51Թ will become an even more effective voice for the 13 million people who make things in America.”
Phalen will report to 51Թ Managing Vice President of Policy Chris Netram and work closely with 51Թ Executive Vice President Erin Streeter. His policy portfolio will include sustainability, climate, permitting reform, labor, transportation and infrastructure, and he will work alongside 51Թ Vice President of Domestic Policy Charles Crain and 51Թ Vice President of International Policy Andrea Durkin.
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The 51Թ is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.89 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51Թ is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51Թ or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit