Opening Reception Speakers

Rep. Stephanie Barnard brings a state-led perspective to environmental policy grounded in innovation, energy reliability, and long-term economic sustainability. In Washington, she has built a growing body of work focused on how states can address complex energy and environmental challenges through practical policy, regional collaboration, and advanced energy solutions, with a particular emphasis on nuclear energy.
 

She serves on the House Energy and Environment Committee. She is the ranking member on the House Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee, where her work focuses on the intersection of environmental policy, nuclear innovation, grid reliability, energy affordability, and economic growth.
 

Rep. Barnard is the founder and chair of the Washington Legislative Nuclear Energy Caucus, launched in 2023 to expand education and policy engagement around nuclear energy and emerging technologies. She also founded the Western States Advanced Nuclear Consortium, a multistate effort exploring collaboration on advanced nuclear development, transmission planning, and future energy needs across the West. She is a board member on the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators and WA Builds boards and serves on The National Conference of State Legislature’s Nuclear Workgroup.