Washington, D.C. — Today, the Center for American Progress announced that Christy Goldfuss, senior vice president for Energy and Environment Policy, will be departing CAP for a new role as chief policy impact officer at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). In her new role, Goldfuss will have overall oversight of NRDC’s capacity areas, including strategic, operational, fundraising, and representation responsibilities. Goldfuss has been leading CAP’s Energy and Environment department since 2017; previously, she served in the Obama administration as the managing director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
“Christy has been absolutely instrumental to shaping the energy and environment program at CAP and, more broadly, to the broader climate movement. She was critical in holding the line against attacks from the previous administration and then in creating unprecedented and historic investments in climate action through passage of the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Patrick Gaspard, CAP’s president and CEO. “Christy’s tireless efforts played a major role in bringing together a broad coalition of environmental justice, labor, and national environmental organizations to put aside differences and fight for our future. It’s not an overstatement to say the future of climate policy has her to thank. While we are going to miss her leadership here at CAP, we are looking forward to working with her on implementing these victories in her new role at NRDC.”
Stepping into the acting role to run CAP’s Energy and Environment department is Trevor Higgins, who currently serves as CAP’s vice president for climate policy and coordinates CAP’s climate work across the organization. Prior to joining CAP, Higgins was Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) legislative assistant for energy, transportation, and climate change. Higgins also served as a presidential management fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy in the office of the chief financial officer.
“Trevor was a major contributor to the vision and policies that have since become the climate and clean energy investments in the Inflation Reduction Act. He has an incredible mind for strategy and seeing the whole landscape,” said Goldfuss. “I can’t think of anyone better to lead CAP’s energy and environment work at this critical juncture. I have no doubt that under Trevor’s guidance, CAP will continue to play a leading role in putting the IRA’s historic investments into practice on the ground, ensuring that the Biden administration is doing everything in its power to slash emissions, protect lands and waters, and build the clean energy economy of the future. I leave knowing that the department, and CAP’s climate work, is in good hands.”
Goldfuss will depart CAP at the end of the month. Higgins will take on acting responsibilities upon her departure.
For more information or to speak to an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].