Kate Burson currently serves as Chief of Staff to Energy and Finance Chairman Office of the Governor of New York. She is a lawyer who joined the Cuomo administration in 2011 as Special Assistant for Energy Efficiency and serves on the Board of Directors for New York Energy Week.
Mei Poon: What are you most excited about for New York Energy Week 2014?
Kate Burson: I’m most looking forward to the energy leadership team opening ceremony. This is a great opportunity for the industry to learn first-hand about the direction NYS is heading and to engage in a discussion about the future of energy generation, management and consumption throughout our state. I’m also looking forward to NYEW Energy Innovation Startup Showcase – another great opportunity for NY-based start up clean tech companies to present their visions for how to improve our communities through low-carbon solutions.
MP: What is your favorite invention/ technology in Energy sector?
KB: Smog-eating cement (and smog-eating sidewalk), concrete-eating robot, solar roof tiles/shingles, and a Wall-e like solar lamp.
MP: What is one opportunity/ challenge you hope will be addressed during New York Energy Week 2014?
KB: NYEW is an opportunity to engage all stakeholders throughout the energy industry and this year I hope we can expand the scope of the discussion to familiarize new audiences with our work. The transition taking place in the energy sector right now will create enormous opportunities for everyone throughout the state, and by making our work more familiar and easily accessible to people outside the industry we’re incorporating another level of creativity, allowing us to take on challenges in new ways.
MP: What is your favorite New York City landmark?
KB: Brooklyn Bridge
MP: Personal Fun Fact: What is something people might not know about you?
KB: I have no sense of smell.
