Andrew Valainis joined RAP in 2023. He provides technical and policy support for RAP’s U.S. team, specializing in regional markets, integrated resource planning, and beneficial electrification.
Before joining RAP, Andrew worked as a staff subject matter expert for Missoula County (Montana) on energy policy and regulatory analysis. He was responsible for identifying and implementing strategies that advanced Missoula County’s clean energy goals. Prior, Andrew served as executive director of the Montana Renewable Energy Association. While at MREA, he actively engaged with the Montana Legislature and participated in numerous proceedings before the Montana Public Service Commission addressing distributed generation interconnection, rate design and other topics. Andrew also completed two terms with the AmeriCorps EnergyCorps program designing and implementing community-based energy efficiency programs.
Andrew holds a master’s degree in energy regulation and law from Vermont Law School and graduated from the University of Rhode Island’s International Engineering Program with bachelor’s degrees in ocean engineering and Spanish.
How Andrew Valainis is Energizing Change
Going Off Grid: The False Panacea of Islanding High-Impact Loads
Technology companies are racing to build a new wave of power-hungry data centers, some drawing as… Read More +
Searching for Meaning: Why It’s Important to Define IRP “Approval”
In an earlier blog post, RAP discussed the role of the regulatory commission in the integrated… Read More +
How did you catch the “energy” bug?
While I was in undergrad studying engineering I came to understand how impactful technology and mechanical systems are in our daily lives. I was excited by the opportunities that working in the energy space could afford on shaping the impact we have in today's world and the legacy we leave for future generations.
What’s your passion outside of RAP/clean energy?
Music. I love playing music, listening to music, talking about music... it fuels my every day.
My favorite dish/snack is sushi.