Pictured above: Former U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette and former DOE Chief of Staff Kevin Knobloch discuss the future of bipartisan energy policy at a Tuck panel co-hosted by the Revers Center Energy, Sustainability, and Innovation and the Center for Business, Government & Society. | Photo by Eli Burakian
Tuck MBA students recently had the opportunity to engage directly with two leaders at the intersection of energy, government, and business: former U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette and former DOE Chief of Staff Kevin Knobloch.
In addition to a public event co-hosted by Tuck’s Revers Center for Energy, Sustainability, and Innovation and the Center for Business, Government & Society, students had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the leaders for office hours and more.
Below, Michael Pinkerton T’26 and Nolan Mayhew T’25 reflect on what they learned—and why bipartisan conversations on energy policy matter more than ever.
What were your biggest takeaways from hearing former U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette and former Chief of Staff Kevin Knobloch discuss energy policy?
My first key takeaway is that energy abundance is bipartisan. Despite our highly polarized political environment, when it comes to energy, there is far more agreement than disagreement. Secretary Brouillette frequently noted that energy is fundamental to everything we do in modern society—it heats our homes, powers our transportation sector, and drives technological progress. Given its importance to the economy and daily life, it’s not surprising that both Republicans and Democrats care deeply about ensuring Americans have access to affordable, reliable energy.
A second key takeaway is the critical role of public policy in fostering innovation. The U.S. is a global leader in both energy production and clean technology. Both Brouillette and Knobloch emphasized the importance of making America a destination for energy investment. Continued innovation will not only improve affordability and reliability, but also promote economic growth and reduce emissions.
Was there a particular quote, story, or topic that resonated with you—and why?
“How do we effect meaningful, lasting change? Typically through legislation.” —Kevin Knobloch
This quote resonated deeply. As a former Congressional staffer, I saw many proposals debated and ultimately fail to pass Congress, only to be enacted by regulation—and then reversed by the next administration. For example, many Biden-era energy regulations are now being repealed by the second Trump administration. By contrast, bipartisan legislation passed under the first Trump administration has proven to be far more durable. Because legislation typically requires 60 votes in the Senate, it tends to be broadly supported and provides the private sector with greater policy certainty.
Today, there is still bipartisan energy policy moving through Congress. Both speakers expressed support for permitting reform, which could streamline the approval process for all types of energy projects. A well-crafted bill could pass and give the energy industry the momentum needed to meet rising demand in an AI-fueled future.
Why are bipartisan conversations on energy policy important today, and how did this event highlight that?
It was clear that both speakers—despite their different backgrounds—share many of the same goals. From the outside, energy policy often seems like a binary choice: “drill, baby, drill” vs. all renewables. The reality is more nuanced. A key area of agreement focused on how the government can support private-sector innovation to deliver more energy at lower cost with reduced emissions.
Technologies like carbon capture and direct air capture were highlighted as promising tools. Many companies are already embracing these solutions, and business students may have the opportunity to help scale them in the years ahead. Events like this one show students that cross-sector collaboration is not only possible—it’s essential.
What drew you to the Revers Center for Energy at Tuck? Any highlights to share?
Coming into Tuck, I mostly understood energy through the lens of public policy. At Tuck, I wanted to deepen my knowledge of the sector from an investment-driven perspective. The Revers Center stood out for its strong programming, alumni network in energy finance, and its commitment to connecting students with practitioners.
A highlight was meeting both Secretary Brouillette and Mr. Knobloch in a small group setting—an opportunity that happens regularly through the Revers Center.
Another highlight was my First-Year Project (FYP), where I worked with a growing renewable energy developer to explore innovative financing mechanisms like tax equity, project debt, and royalty-based funding. This hands-on experience complemented my academic work and confirmed my interest in energy investing. I'm looking forward to continuing this journey as a Revers Fellow in my second year.
Why does energy—and its intersection with business and policy—matter to you personally and professionally?
Energy lies at the heart of issues I care deeply about: national security, climate change, and technological innovation. Personally, I’m drawn to work that feels consequential, and few sectors are as foundational as energy. Professionally, I’m excited by the complexity of energy markets and the opportunity to direct capital toward solutions that are both profitable and impactful. I’m especially interested in how policy can unlock investment at scale during this critical moment of energy transition.
Tuck students connect with energy leaders Dan Brouillette and Kevin Knobloch following the event, which included small-group meetings and one-on-one conversations. | Photo by Eli Burakian
What was your biggest takeaway from the event?
The U.S. and the world’s energy requirements are rising, driven the need to power technological growth while maintaining grid stability here at home, and the imperative to deliver electricity to parts of the world that still lack it. Secretary Brouillette referred to this as “moving electrons,” and Mr. Knobloch agreed.
What moment or message stood out most?
What struck me most was Secretary Brouillette’s character and conviction. He was generous with his time, had no ego despite his high-level service, and communicated with passion about the urgent need to stabilize our grid, and, in his words, restore American energy dominance.
Why do you believe events like this are important?
When I worked in Congress, I witnessed political debates where baseline facts were disputed, and was often told that policy conversations in Washington are “battles for reality.” But this event felt different. It was aspirational and considered possibilities for new energy technologies & and conservation, but it was also an honest discussion grounded in agreement on energy realities, like growing global demand. There were areas of disagreement; for Secretary Brouillette, the focus for the United States should be realizing an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy where the market plus research and development shape the energy picture. For Mr. Knobloch, subsidizing and boosting renewable technologies remains an imperative. But the conversation wasn’t performative—the speakers sought common ground and practical solutions.
Why does energy matter to you?
Without energy, we’re in the dark. Commerce, technology, just baseline survival depend on access to reliable power. People have migrated and countries have gone to war to secure reliable power across history. That’s how fundamental it is. For me, deep-diving energy policy, and exploring the market’s power to deliver energy is one of the most effective ways to lift people out of poverty and improve global living conditions. It’s a solvable challenge with enormous impact. Tuck helped cultivate my interest in energy with timely programming and an incredible support network through the Revers Center, and I’m looking forward to calling on the Tuck energy community now that I’m out in the workforce.
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