While global challenges are addressed by national governments, increasingly subnational actors such as states, communities, and cities have needed to step up to take action when traditional nation-states have been unable to make progress due to political polarization and partisan gridlock. This trend has also characterized transatlantic relations and the German-American partnership.
This trend holds true for states in both countries addressing the challenges posed by climate change and thinking about energy policy. How do federal policies, or lack thereof, influence policies at the state level? What incentives can states provide, but what also are the constraints to making policy and taking action? How are states integrating climate and energy policies into construction and urban development, economic development, and job creation opportunities? What efforts are states making to move towards a clean energy economy?
To discuss these issues and to explore collaboration at the state level, the Aspen Institute Germany and the American Council on Germany invite you to the next discussion in our virtual event series State-to-State: German-American State Legislator Dialogue with German and American state legislators including Joschka Knuth, MdL (Alliance 90/The Greens), State Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein, Representative Ryan Mackenzie (R), Pennsylvania House of Representatives; and Representative Mari Manoogian (D), Michigan House of Representatives.
Joschka Knuth is a member of the State Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein and is the Alliance 90/The Greens parliamentary group spokesperson on economic affairs and labor market, start-ups, digitization, consumer protection, animal welfare, sports, and sustainability issues. Before becoming a member of parliament in 2019, He worked as a Senior Consultant for EY Germany (Ernst & Young GmbH) in their operational transaction services team. In 2018 Mr. Knuth held the office of press spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy, Agriculture, the Environment, Nature, and Digitalization in Schleswig-Holstein, and from 2017 to 2019, he was Deputy Head of the Executive Department for political coordination and Liaison in the State Chancellery of Schleswig-Holstein. He began his career as a personal advisor to the Minister at the Ministry for Energy, Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Areas of Schleswig- Holstein.
Ryan Mackenzie (2019 ACG Young Leader) is in his sixth term representing the 134th Legislative District and for the 2021-22 Legislative Session serves as a deputy majority whip in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He sits on the Environmental Resources & Energy Committee and has also been appointed to represent the House on the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority and the Recycling Fund Advisory Committee. Prior to being elected to office, he served as the director of policy at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. He began his career by working on a number of political campaigns and earned his real estate sales license before entering public service and accepting a position at the U.S. Department of Labor. While there, he worked extensively on domestic and international assignments and gained a strong understanding of labor market dynamics. An active member of the local community, he is involved in a number of charities and non-profit organizations and was an ACG Young Leader.
Mari Manoogian is the youngest woman serving in the 101st Legislature, and the first Armenian-American woman to serve in the Michigan House of Representatives. In her second term for the 40th District, she currently serves as the Deputy Democratic Caucus Whip and as the Minority Vice-Chair for the House Committee on Energy. Prior to joining the Legislature, she served in various capacities of public service at the federal level, including interning for then-Congressman John D. Dingell, working with the Council on Foreign Relations, and assisting Ambassador Samantha Power at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Manoogian also worked in the Office of English Language Programs and eDiplomacy at the U.S. Department of State where she served with foreign and civil service officers. Rep. Manoogian is a member of the Aspen Security Forum’s inaugural Rising Leaders Program, serves on the board of the Armenian Genocide Education Council, and serves on the Tech for Campaigns Political Advisory Board as well as on the advisory council for the U.S.-Europe Alliance.
