Investor Spotlight: A Conversation with Matthew Mauer of Puget Sound Energy

We recently had the chance to speak with Matthew Mauer, Senior Government Affairs Representative with Puget Sound Energy. Enjoy our conversation below:

EDC: Where were you before you joined PSE?

MM: Before joining PSE, I was the Director of External Affairs for Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib. Previous to that, I worked in local government affairs for Vulcan Inc. in Seattle and Senator Patty Murray doing veterans affairs work.

EDC: Tell us about your role as Senior Government Affairs Representative at Puget Sound Energy. What are your day-to-day activities?

MM: I handle our local government relations for all jurisdictions in Thurston, Kitsap, and Lewis counties. It’s an exciting role that has me working on issues that range from traditional utility topics like franchise agreements to our climate initiatives like Community Solar and public charging stations.

EDC: How has COVID impacted your work?

MM: Immensely. I started this role on March 1st and haven’t met any of my PSE colleagues in person yet – let alone any officials or prominent stakeholders in my region. This role is very relationship-based, and trying to make those connections over a video call has been very challenging. On top of that, my husband and I welcomed our son Milo in October of 2020, which adds a whole new layer with the lack of available childcare because of the pandemic. We ended up setting up two desks in our house, one upstairs and one downstairs, and we shift based on who has meetings so one can have relative quiet while the other works and watches Milo. My family lost my Uncle to COVID, so we have been very cautious throughout this pandemic. I have fortunately been able to get my vaccine through the VA, and I’m excited to move beyond COVID.

EDC: Anything new on the horizon for PSE over the coming year?

MM: I’m still trying to grasp what the next year will look like fully, but I’m very excited for PSE’s newly announced initiative, Beyond Net Zero Carbon, our goal to be net carbon zero by 2045. While Beyond Net Zero Carbon is a company-wide effort and involves strategic decisions on the macro level, we won’t accomplish this goal without our local partners. I’m excited about the future.

Learn more about Puget Sound Energy here: https://www.pse.com/

Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-mauer-56299657/