By Viveka Ranjitsinh T’17
Dan Reicher D’78 is currently the executive director of the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance at Stanford University. Prior to this role he directed climate change and energy initiatives at Google, co-founded a private equity firm investing in clean energy projects, and served as assistant secretary of energy for energy efficiency and renewable energy during the Clinton administration.
As the first speaker in a series of lectures sponsored by the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society, it was only fitting that Dan Reicher D'78, a Dartmouth alumnus whose career has spanned the worlds of energy policy, finance, and technology, was invited to deliver the talk. In the true spirit of the Institute’s mission, the event gathered students and faculty from the various departments of the Dartmouth undergraduate campus, the Tuck School of Business, the Thayer School of Engineering, and the local community.
Mr. Reicher’s talk focused on a multi-faceted approach to shaping our energy future—one that draws upon cross-collaboration between smart policy, efficient technologies, and robust financing. 
Structured around four case studies—energy efficiency, wind power, nuclear energy, and carbon storage—his talk illustrated some of the frontiers that will emerge between now and the $48 trillion energy economy of 2035.
From a student’s perspective, it was inspiring to learn about the immense opportunities that lay before us as we look to build impactful energy careers. It was also fascinating to learn about companies like Hywind, Calera, Clean Line and even Goldman Sachs who, in their own domains, are working to develop new energy solutions for the future. Mr. Reicher also cited potential future innovations in the policy arena like private activity bonds and energy efficiency requirements as part of mortgage appraisals.
Mr. Reicher is a testament to the caliber and quality of speaker that the Irving Institute will be able to bring the campus for years to come. We are all eagerly awaiting the next event!
The Revers Center for Energy inspires and shapes tomorrow's leaders in energy while engaging today's energy community. It aspires to establish Tuck as the preeminent business school for learning practical leadership in the energy industry.