Austin lawyer receives award and grant for promoting clean energy
United States | Press release - People | November 18, 2019
A DOE-sponsored group that recognizes women's achievements in advancing and promoting clean energy—the US Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) Initiative— recently honored Norton Rose Fulbright partner Becky H. Diffen (Austin) by awarding her its 2019 Law and Finance Award.
Diffen was one of eight women to receive awards at C3E's eighth annual symposium in College Station, Texas, November 13 – 14. Each winner also received an US$8,000 grant, which C3E intends to be used to further the organization's goals.
Diffen will donate the money to an organization in which she is active, the non-profit Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE). WRISE promotes the education, professional development and advancement of women in renewable energy.
Diffen serves as WRISE's Co-Chair of its Austin chapter, Co-Chair of the 2020 WRISE Leadership Forum and Chair of its National Webinar Committee. The contribution will be used to fund programming to support women as they move to more senior and executive level roles.
Kristen Graf, WRISE's Executive Director, said:
"This award acknowledges Becky's hard work and dedication supporting a strong diversified workforce and a robust renewable energy economy. Her continued leadership and insights as a part of WRISE and the renewable industry at large, as well her deep commitment to changing our energy future make her uniquely qualified for this honor."
The US Department of Energy, MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), Texas A&M Energy Institute and Stanford Energy collaborate to lead the US Clean Energy Education and Empowerment Initiative. This initiative is intended to close the gender gap and increase the participation, leadership, and success of women in renewable energy fields.
The awards are given to mid-career women who have shown standout leadership and accomplishments in clean energy. The symposium is an invitation-only gathering of about 250 people in the clean energy industry.
Diffen, who has over 17 years of experience in the renewable energy industry, focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, project development, and tax equity financings in the renewable energy, energy storage, and waste-to-energy industries.
