 
Resources
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Click the images below to learn more about the DSIRE staff.          Amanda Vanega
Program Manager
 Amanda Vanega leads DSIRE's research in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Texas, Vermont and the U.S. territories. Her areas of policy expertise include the viability of the third-party ownership model in individual U.S. states, PACE financing and the deployment of small wind energy. Amanda also manages the Energy Policy Program's fee-for-service activities, working directly with companies and organizations to create new customized policy and data services. In addition, she is a contributor to the N.C. Solar Center's research under the Power through Policy project. Prior to joining the N.C. Solar Center in 2008, she worked as a research analyst for an international recycling firm and spent several years in Nicaragua as an environmental education specialist with the U.S. Peace Corps and several non-profit organizations.
Amanda received a Master of Environment Management (MEM) degree from Duke University and a B.A. from Indiana University. She enjoys Latin music and dance, kayaking, speaking Spanish, and lugging around her young daughter. Rusty Hanyes
Project Manager
Rusty Haynes has managed the DSIRE project since 2007. In addition to coordinating and overseeing the project's research, tasks and budget, he participates in conferences and on committees and boards; leads policy research in New Hampshire and Rhode Island; and collaborates with the federal government, businesses and other organizations to improve and expand DSIRE and its resources. Rusty is currently working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Indian federal government to help create an Indian version of DSIRE. He has worked on all aspects of the DSIRE project since joining the N.C. Solar Center at N.C. State University in 2001.
Rusty received an M.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill and a B.A. from the University of Georgia, where he graduated summa cum laude. He enjoys urban biking, international travel, writing fiction of dubious merit, and composing and recording music of extremely dubious merit. He has traveled to 37 countries. Amy Heinemann
Senior Policy Analyst
Amy Heinemann leads DSIRE's policy research in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, and contributes heavily to DSIRE's federal policy research. She manages various resources available on DSIRE Solar, including the DSIRE Solar Policy Guide, solar policy comparison tables and solar summary maps. She has managed DSIRE's quantitative incentives research and co-managed DSIRE's research on state-level public benefits funds that support renewables. In addition, Amy co-coordinates the N.C. Solar Center's research and outreach efforts under the SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership. She joined the N.C. Solar Center in January 2009.
Amy received a Master of Environment Management (MEM) degree from Yale University and a B.S. in environmental science from George Washington University. She enjoys biking to work, cooking, hiking in the mountains and playing water polo. Brian Lips
Senior Policy Analyst
Brian Lips heads DSIRE's policy research in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina and Utah. He also oversees the energy efficiency component of DSIRE, and he has played key roles in expanding DSIRE's local policy content and training DSIRE staff. Brian has served as the primary point of contact for businesses, consumers and government officials seeking clarification on North Carolina's renewable energy tax credit, and other policies and incentives in effect in the North Carolina.
Brian received a B.S. in integrated science and technology from James Madison University. Although not Ethiopian, he loves Ethiopian music and cuisine, biking, watching parades, and drinking cold beer on the beach. He also enjoys watching football while enveloped by the smell of a tasty dish that requires the use of a Dutch oven. Justin Barnes
Senior Policy Analyst
Justin Barnes leads DSIRE's policy research in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, and contributes heavily to DSIRE's federal policy research. Justin also manages DSIRE's quantitative RPS research and has spearheaded research on state-level public benefits funds that support renewables. In addition, Justin co-coordinates the N.C. Solar Center's activities under the SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership, a project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. His research interests include innovative financing mechanisms, solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) markets, and net metering in states with retail electric choice. He joined the N.C. Solar Center in 2007.
Justin received an M.S. in environmental policy from Michigan Technological University and a B.S. in geography from the University of Oklahoma. His research at MTU focused on wind energy siting policies and the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. Justin enjoys playing soccer whenever the opportunity arises. He is unreachable by phone, e-mail, telegram or passenger pigeon while the World Cup is under way. Chelsea Barnes
Policy Analyst
 Chelsea Barnes heads up DSIRE's policy research in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia. She also oversees DSIRE's quantitative incentives research and has been heavily involved in expanding DSIRE's local government content. In addition, Chelsea co-manages the N.C. Solar Center's Bioenergy Internship and Fellowship Program. She joined the N.C. Solar Center at N.C. State University in 2008.
Chelsea received a Master of Environment Management (MEM) degree from Duke University and a B.A. in biology from The College of Wooster. Previously, Chelsea researched nuclear energy policy at Oak Ridge Associated Universities. Outside of the office, Chelsea enjoys soccer and volleyball, and playing the trumpet in local big bands. Lewis King
Policy Analyst
Lewis King specializes in researching energy efficiency programs developed by electric and gas utilities, state-level energy efficiency legislation, and solar business models. Lewis has also served as a supervisor for the N.C. Solar Center's Summer Youth Intern Program and as an assistant for the N.C. Solar Center's Economic Development Program. He joined the N.C. Solar Center in 2009.
Lewis holds a B.A. in political science, with a concentration in security studies, from East Carolina University. His coursework at ECU focused on policy formation, political institutions, international relations and conflict analysis. He enjoys NCSU athletics, playing basketball, following international relations, and his adopted black lab, Marley. Kim Kooles
Policy Analyst
Kim Kooles leads DSIRE's policy research in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming. She is also strongly involved with DSIRE's local government policy research. Prior to joining the N.C. Solar Center in 2011, Kim coordinated the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Solar Panel Policy Guidance document, reviewed and provided feedback on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's guide on Implementing Solar PV Panels on Historic Buildings and in Historic Districts, and provided technical assistance to communities integrating solar into historic districts.
Kim has a Master of Historic Preservation (MHP) degree from the University of Georgia and a B.A. in community planning and historic preservation from The College of Charleston. Outside of policy analysis, Kim enjoys trail running, college football and traveling. Shannon Cross
IT Manager
Shannon manages IT operations for the N.C. Solar Center's Energy Policy Program, including the DSIRE web site and its resources. He plans, designs and implements initiatives to improve the DSIRE web site and its content. At the request of businesses and other clients, Shannon also develops and expands policy data services on behalf of the Energy Policy Program. Before joining the N.C. Solar Center in 2010, Shannon served as vice-president of Click Culture, Inc.
Shannon studied computer programming at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. He enjoys fast cars, skydiving, biking, exceedingly hot hot sauces and Hurricane hockey. |
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Disclaimer: The information presented on the DSIRE web site provides an unofficial overview of financial incentives and other policies. It does not constitute professional tax advice or other professional financial guidance, and it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions or tax decisions, or when executing other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided below each summary to verify that a specific financial incentive or other policy applies to your project.
While the DSIRE staff strives to provide the best information possible, the DSIRE staff, the N.C. Solar Center, N.C. State University and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. make no representations or warranties, either express or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of the information. The DSIRE staff, the N.C. Solar Center, N.C. State University and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. disclaim all liability of any kind arising out of your use or misuse of the information contained or referenced on DSIRE Web pages. |
