Julie McNamara is a deputy policy director with the Climate & Energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. Her research focuses on policies and measures that facilitate a rapid, sustained, and broadly beneficial transition of our nation’s energy system. This includes assessing energy, environmental, and public health policies at the state and federal levels; analyzing the resilience of the electricity system; and researching the potential implications of emerging technologies.
Before joining UCS, Ms. McNamara worked as a research assistant at MIT, and as an environmental scientist at ERG, an environmental and public policy consulting firm serving federal and state agencies.
Ms. McNamara holds an MS in technology and policy from MIT, and a BA in biology and political economy from Williams College. She has been quoted widely, including in the Associated Press, InsideClimate News, LA Times, NPR, and Scientific American.
Keeping the Power On During a Climate Crisis
Selected Publications
McNamara, J., 2020: The Flexible Demand Opportunity, Union of Concerned Scientists
McNamara J., Deyette J., Sattler S., Smith A., 2017: Committing to Renewables in New Mexico, Union of Concerned Scientists
Gomberg S., Kibbey J.C., McNamara J., Richardson J., 2017: A Dwindling Role for Coal, Union of Concerned Scientists
McNamara J., Jacobs M., Wisland L., 2017: Flipping the Switch for a Cleaner Grid, Union of Concerned Scientists
McNamara J., Clemmer S., Dahl K., Spanger-Siegfried E., 2015: Lights Out? Storm Surge, Blackouts, and How Clean Energy Can Help, Union of Concerned Scientists