Cheryl Roberto
Associate Vice President, Clean Energy
Environmental Defense Fund
Cheryl Roberto leads the national EDF Clean Energy Program. Through regulatory reform and new utility incentives, among others, the EDF Clean Energy Program aims to help modernize our outdated energy infrastructure, accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge, clean technologies into the nation' electric system and break down the regulatory and financial barriers to broad-scale adoption of renewable energy, energy efficiency and other innovative ways to generate, distribute and use energy. Prior to joining EDF, Cheryl served as the Commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) from 2008 to 2012, where she was the lead commissioner for PUCO's partnership with the United States Department of Energy combined heat and power pilot project. She was also Co-Chair of the 2012 National Electricity Forum, which centered on envisioning a intelligent, interactive and resilient electric grid.
Cheryl currently serves on the Executive Group of the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action network (SEEAction) and received the Inspiring Efficiency Leadership Award from the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance in January 2013. In addition to her experience as PUCO Commissioner, Cheryl was the head of the City of Columbus, Ohio Department of Public Utilities. During her four-year tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of municipal distribution utilities, she managed a team of over 1,300 employees, directed a successful water quality environmental initiative and completed the first restructure of utility rate models in two decades.
Cheryl holds a B.A. in Political Science from Kent State University, a J.D. from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and a Certificate of Completion, Strategic Management of Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Executive Education.
Cheryl currently serves on the Executive Group of the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action network (SEEAction) and received the Inspiring Efficiency Leadership Award from the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance in January 2013. In addition to her experience as PUCO Commissioner, Cheryl was the head of the City of Columbus, Ohio Department of Public Utilities. During her four-year tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of municipal distribution utilities, she managed a team of over 1,300 employees, directed a successful water quality environmental initiative and completed the first restructure of utility rate models in two decades.
Cheryl holds a B.A. in Political Science from Kent State University, a J.D. from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and a Certificate of Completion, Strategic Management of Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Executive Education.