Degrees: Juris Doctorate; B.A. Major - Philosophy; Minor - Symbolic Systems

As a MAP Sustainable Energy Fellow in NRDC’s San Francisco office, Sierra had the opportunity to contribute to a range of projects in the Air and Energy Program.

Sierra contributed substantially to NRDC’s response to the California Energy Commission’s biennial Integrated Energy Policy Report. He co-wrote NRDC’s Comments on the Final IEPR 2009, NRDC’s Comments on the Draft IEPR 2009, and spoke (audio, transcript) before the Energy Commission at the adoption meeting on behalf of NRDC. The comments focused on increasing energy efficiency in California, improving transparency in setting energy efficiency targets, implementing robust evaluation, measurement, and verification studies, and generally prioritizing cost-effective energy efficiency and renewables in California’s state energy policy.

Sierra researched and co-wrote a California energy efficiency fact sheet, to inform key decision makers on California’s leadership, smart policies, and accomplishments in energy efficiency. He presented his findings to California policymakers in key agencies, legislative staff involved in energy matters, and utility associations. California’s leadership in energy efficiency has yielded enormous economic benefits to bill payers, has radiated economic benefits into the general economy through job creation, and has provided countless environmental co-benefits.

Additionally, Sierra co-wrote the energy section of NRDC’s Comments on the California Natural Resources Agency’s Climate Adaptation Strategy Report that recommended prioritizing energy efficiency in order to mitigate climate change. Sierra spoke before the Air Resources Board, advocating for the rejection of trade associations’ attempts to weaken ARB’s enforcement program. And, he advised on legal issues concerning permanence and subordination in the Climate Action Reserve’s Project Implementation Agreement, which serves as a forest offset contract. Sierra also observed legislative developments and attended committee hearings on the 33% Renewable Portfolio Standard bills.

"This Fellowship has provided me with unparalleled opportunity to help create a sustainable energy future and to fight climate change - a problem of global magnitude, and hopefully, the rallying call of a generation."

Sierra Martinez

"As is evidenced by the long list of his accomplishments, [Sierra] has been a strong contributor to our California energy team. He has been extremely organized (setting interim deadlines himself to make sure work gets done on time), responsive (promptly responding to all issues raised in meetings or emails), and a very quick study on efficiency issues. He has impressed us by his ability to jump into spreadsheets and the quantitative work and figure things out, a skill that isn’t necessarily expected of Fellows or interns with a legal background."

Audrey Chang
Director, California Climate Program, NRDC