General Counsel
Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA)
Denver, Colorado, United States
Ellen Howard Kutzer is a distinguished attorney with a robust background in both environmental and energy law. She has been instrumental in shaping key laws, policies, and regulations that drive Colorado’s clean energy transition.
As General Counsel for the Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA), Ellen leverages her deep expertise in electric utility law, renewable energy policy, and clean energy technologies to champion the growth of the solar and storage industry. She oversees COSSA's legal affairs, providing strategic guidance to advance market opportunities and support the widespread adoption of zero-carbon technologies.
Before joining COSSA, Ellen was a Senior Staff Attorney at Western Resource Advocates, where she litigated high-profile regulatory cases on resource planning, ratemaking, renewable resource acquisition, transportation electrification, and clean heat. Her extensive public-sector experience includes pivotal roles within state governments in both California and Colorado, including the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, and the California State Water Resources Control Board.
Ellen’s career began as a wildlife biologist in Southern California, where she conducted environmental surveys for major solar generation and transmission projects. This early work provided her with a unique perspective on the intersection of wildlife conservation and renewable energy development. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis, and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Beyond her professional achievements, Ellen is a dedicated advocate for women in the energy industry. She was a founding member Board of Directors for the Women’s Energy Network Colorado and remains actively involved with Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) and the Energy Bar Association. Outside of work, Ellen and her husband are passionate about the outdoors, enjoying skiing, rock climbing, biking, and trail running.
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Navigating Nationwide Siting and Permitting Regulations
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM PT