FirstLight Power, which operates multiple hydroelectric facilities in Franklin County, has hired Alicia Barton as its new CEO.
As of Aug. 3, Barton will succeed John R. Shue, who has been CEO since 2016 and is retiring.
In a statement provided by the company, Barton emphasized her experience with clean energy, and noted FirstLight’s potential to accelerate state goals of reducing reliance on fossil fuels, as identified by the Massachusetts Department of Energy.
“I have spent my entire career dedicated to fighting climate change and building a clean energy future,” Barton said. “FirstLight as a company, and Northfield Mountain as our region’s largest zero-emissions energy storage facility, are uniquely positioned to drive accelerated deployment of renewable energy and storage on the New England electric grid.”
Barton was most recently the president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, where she oversaw long-term contracts for offshore wind facilities and other renewable energy sources. She has also worked as CEO for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and has provided legal counsel for companies on energy-related issues.
Additionally, Barton has held numerous roles on the state level: deputy commissioner for policy and planning for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP); director of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office; and deputy general counsel at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA).
“Alicia Barton is one of the most accomplished and admired leaders in the field of clean energy in the United States,” commented Phil Giudice, chair of FirstLight’s board of directors. “We are excited and grateful that she’s agreed to join FirstLight as our new CEO to lead FirstLight’s efforts to accelerate our transition to a decarbonized energy future.”
Giudice also congratulated Shue on his retirement, commending him for his “steady, wise leadership” and for building a strong executive team.
Though it is headquartered in Burlington, locally, FirstLight operates the Northfield Mountain pumped storage facility and two hydroelectric dams on the Connecticut River in Turners Falls. It also operates several recreational facilities in the area, including the Northfield Mountain facilities, the Turners Falls Fishway and campgrounds at Barton Cove and Munn’s Ferry.
The company also operates two other clean energy facilities in other parts of Massachusetts and several more in Connecticut.