Chris Meyer Takes on the Reins as LEAP Continues its Commitment to Support Virginia Localities with Local Climate Action
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), Central and Northern Virginia’s nonprofit leader for energy based climate solutions for homes, businesses, and local governments, is excited to welcome its new Executive Director, Chris Meyer. LEAP serves as a catalyst for Virginia’s clean energy future and climate resilient communities, offering direct education and services for improved energy performance.
Chris joins LEAP after a decade at the Environmental Defense Fund working at the forefront of developing strategies for the nexus of climate and forest policy, linking conservation policy and zero-deforestation commitments from the private sector while ensuring the inclusion of marginalized stakeholders.
“I am excited to join a nonprofit with a climate focused mission providing energy solutions to communities,” says Meyer, who will be based at LEAP’s Charlottesville headquarters. “LEAP is front and center in the climate conversation happening right now in our area. What are we going to do on a personal and policy level to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change effects? Reducing our energy use and transitioning to renewable and clean energy sources are vital to all of our well-being in the face of our changing climate, and I’m honored the board and staff have asked me to join them in this important work.”
Kristel Riddervold, LEAP’s Governance Board Chair, says, “We enthusiastically welcome Chris and look forward to working with him to continue delivering high quality energy services to homeowners, businesses, and local governments in Central and Northern Virginia. Chris’s deep experience in inclusive climate policy makes him the right choice to be LEAP’s next Executive Director to drive the organization forward as a leader in local energy based solutions to climate change.”
In 2018, LEAP helped more than 1,000 central Virginia households and businesses reduce their energy use through direct services such as Home Energy Check-Ups and weatherization. Since 2010, LEAP has worked with over 12,000 households and businesses to save 20.5 gigawatt hours and $2.5 million in energy costs. In addition, our Solarize Virginia programs have added 3.1 MW of new solar energy worth $8.5 million in construction value to the state energy mix.
LEAP stands ready to support Northern Virginia localities and the collaborative effort of the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and University of Virginia, in their commitments to address climate change. LEAP’s energy efficiency and renewable solutions are critical to achieving those goals.
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