About

Sara Kamins is a seasoned clean energy policy expert with over 15 years of experience shaping regulations adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the State Legislature. Her career is rooted in regulatory innovation and cross-sector collaboration. She has led the design and execution of some of California’s most influential clean energy programs—including the Renewables Portfolio Standard, Net Energy Metering, the Self-Generation Incentive Program, and over $1 billion in electric vehicle charging incentives.

At the CPUC, Sara held multiple leadership roles within the Energy Division and as a Commissioner’s Energy Advisor. Her work has spanned legislative analysis and testimony, market design and stakeholder negotiations, earning her a reputation for clear communication, strategic foresight, and a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach.

Also, as a cleantech venture capital investor at Doral Energy-Tech Ventures, the innovation arm of the global renewable energy developer, Sara advised on clean energy trends and regulations to guide investment decisions. Her expertise spanned energy storage, virtual power plants, utility-scale and commercial solar project development, power trading, circular economy, energy communities, and EV charging technologies. Her strategic insights supported multimillion-dollar equity investments and helped portfolio companies navigate complex regulatory landscapes.

Sara holds a Master of Science in Energy and Resources from UC Berkeley, where she was awarded a National Science Foundation Fellowship, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Maryland, where she graduated magna cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Testimonials

  • Sara is strategic and an excellent manager of people and projects. She understands the big picture and has a special ability to empower the people who work for her to own their work and think creatively on how to solve challenging policy and market problems. She is truly one of a kind and someone I greatly admire.

    Shannon O’Rourke, California Energy Commission

  • She was a brilliant analyst who consistently produced extremely clear, well-written memos and staff papers. As an advisor, she was a valuable member of Commissioner Ferron's staff due to her exhaustive knowledge of California's renewable energy programs and her ability to quickly grasp other complex policy areas.

    Scott Murtishaw, California Energy Storage Alliance