– USA, MA – FirstLight Power, operator of the Northfield Mountain energy storage facility and other hydroelectric, solar, and energy storage assets in Massachusetts and Connecticut, the appointment of Alicia Barton as its new CEO effective Aug. 3.
“Alicia Barton is one of the most accomplished and admired leaders in the field of clean energy in the United States. We are excited and grateful that she’s agreed to join FirstLight as our new CEO to lead FirstLight’s efforts to accelerate our transition to a decarbonized energy future, harnessing the full potential of offshore wind, solar, and electrification of our transportation and fossil-based end uses.” said Board Chair Phil Giudice.
Ms. Barton will succeed John R. Shue, who has been CEO of FirstLight since 2016 and is retiring after leading the company through its launch as an independent company and into successful new energy-storage and solar power developments.
“On behalf of all his colleagues at FirstLight, I want to thank John for his steady, wise leadership and building our strong executive team which has delivered strong operational and financial results. I congratulate John for his decades of experience in the energy industries and wish him well in his retirement,’’ said Giudice.
About Alicia Barton
Ms. Barton served most recently as President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for three years and previously as CEO of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, helping both states advance and implement nation-leading clean energy strategies. She also co-chaired the Energy and Cleantech Practice at the leading Boston law firm Foley Hoag LLP and served as chief of operations for SunEdison’s global utility business unit, leading teams building utility-scale wind and solar projects.
In addition to her roles at NYSERDA, MassCEC, Foley Hoag, and SunEdison, Ms. Barton has served as Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Planning for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection; Assistant Secretary for Environmental Review and Director of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act office; and Deputy General Counsel at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Ms. Barton currently serves on the boards of several leading non-profit and mission-based organizations, including the Alliance to Save Energy, Greentown Labs, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, Efficiency Forward, and the Advisory Board for the New England Women in Energy and Environment. She earned her juris doctor from Boston College Law School and bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University.
“I am honored and excited to be joining FirstLight as its CEO at this pivotal moment in our efforts to accelerate our transition to a 100 percent clean electric grid as a central element of the strategy to combat the climate crisis,’’ Ms. Barton said. “I have spent my entire career dedicated to fighting climate change and building a clean energy future. FirstLight as a company, and Northfield Mountain as our region’s largest zero-emissions energy storage facility, are uniquely positioned to drive the accelerated deployment of renewable energy and storage on the New England electric grid.’’
At NYSERDA, Ms. Barton oversaw the execution of long-term contracts for more than 6,000 megawatts of offshore wind and other new renewable energy resources, was a key architect of New York’s landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and served as Co-Chair of the New York Climate Action Council.
About FirstLight Power
FirstLight’s mission is to provide safe and affordable energy solutions leading to a cleaner, more reliable energy future. We are dedicated to being conscientious stewards promoting a greener environment in our communities. Based in Burlington, Mass., with operating offices in Northfield, Mass., and New Milford, Conn., FirstLight operates a diversified electric-generation portfolio including hydroelectric, pumped-storage hydro, battery storage, and solar. FirstLight also provides, under our federal operating licenses, stewardship of and recreational access to 14,000 acres of land and waters along the Connecticut, Housatonic, Shetucket, Still, and Quinebaug Rivers.
For more information: https://www.firstlightpower.com
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