Senior Energy Management Analyst Emma Johnson just celebrated two years at Seattle City Light in December. As a part of the Solutions Design and Management Team in Customer Energy Solutions, Emma manages four commercial and industrial programs: Commercial Retrofit (non-lighting); Industrial Energy Management; Midstream HVAC; and the Internal Conservation program, with a goal of 40 percent in energy savings at City Light facilities by 2025.
Emma grew up in Kent, Wash., and has never lived outside of the Puget Sound because, well, it’s pretty nice here. She now lives in Beacon Hill but has lived in various Seattle neighborhoods throughout her life. “Beacon Hill is a great place to live,” Emma shared. “My neighbors are fantastic people from all over the world. There are also all sorts of neighborhood gems like Breezy Town Pizza/ Clock Out Lounge; the Cheasty Greenspace; and Jefferson Park.
Get to know Emma in this week’s (spot)Light as she talks about her professional background and love for outdoor activities in the Pacific Northwest.
“My undergraduate degree is in politics, development, and the environment from Huxley College at Western Washington University. I also have a master’s degree in public administration from the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington. Before joining City Light, I worked at the City of Bellevue for many years as their Resource Conservation Manager.
“I was drawn to City Light because it’s a public utility. My career path has followed the public sector mainly because being in government is a very impactful way to improve the lives of the people and the environment. I wanted the chance to improve the energy efficiency of our city’s commercial buildings because it’s a great way to lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the demand on natural resources, and save customers money!
“Whitewater kayaking is a huge part of my life. One of my favorite rivers is the Ruby Creek that flows into Ross Lake. I’ve skied in the Ruby Mountain area, which has one of the coolest ski-views around! I also spend a lot of time fixing up my older 1941 home: I’ve installed a ductless heat pump, solar panels and insulation – my home is now nearly net-zero energy, oil-free, and my next car will definitely be electric!
“I’m grateful for the wonderful support of my team, managers, and City Light leadership. There are so many all-around fantastic people working here, and I am so happy to be a part of the team working to make things better!”