Meredith Hatfield to Join Barr Foundation Climate Team

The Barr Foundation today announced the appointment of Meredith Hatfield as program officer for the Foundation’s Climate team. In this new role, Meredith will focus on advancing Barr’s newly-released Clean Energy strategies and will report to Mariella Puerto, senior program officer. She will begin July 11.

Meredith currently serves as director of the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, which advises the governor on energy and land-use planning issues and administers programs including low-income heating assistance, weatherization, conservation stewardship, and federal flood insurance.

“Barr’s Clean Energy efforts aim to rapidly accelerate expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the northeast,” said Mariella Puerto. “Meredith’s substantive policy experience and proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders will be critical assets for Barr as we implement our new strategy.”

“Meredith’s substantive policy experience and proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders will be critical assets for Barr as we implement our new strategy.” —Mariella Puerto

Meredith previously served as the New Hampshire Consumer Advocate, representing the interests of residential utility customers on a range of energy and utility issues. She has worked on energy and environmental issues in New Hampshire for the last 15 years in both the public and private sectors. Her prior work includes management of a Smart Growth initiative for the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the creation of the State Energy Strategy, and development and implementation of programs including the Renewable Portfolio Standard, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and the State’s energy efficiency programs.

“I am truly excited to join the Barr Foundation’s Clean Energy team,” said Meredith. “In my energy policy work I saw firsthand the important role Barr plays through its grantee partners, including Conservation Law Foundation, Acadia Center, and the Northeast Clean Energy Center. The quality of analysis and strategic thinking it brings to addressing the challenges facing our region is vital to shaping and advancing an ambitious clean energy agenda. I look forward to building on that kind of partnership and collaboration from my new role at Barr.”

Meredith earned an associate’s degree in animal science from the University of New Hampshire, a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wellesley College, and a J.D. and a master’s degree in environmental law and policy from Vermont Law School. She has a very energetic mutt named Lulu and loves to walk her just about anywhere.