The Vermont Chapter announces 2022-2023 Candidates for the Vermont Sierra Club Executive Committee. If you are a dues-paying member you will receive an email to vote for these volunteer leaders.
PETER MALICKY
My name is Peter Malicky and I’m interested in running for Sierra Club’s Executive Committee. Originally from Wisconsin, I came to Vermont to study environmental policy and natural resource science through the Vermont Law School and the University of Vermont; primarily focusing on the interplay between renewable energy and land use. It’s my goal to make Vermont my home, or at very least engage with the state as much as I can while I’m here. In my free time, I enjoy reading science fiction, learning history, hiking, and identifying plant species.
My interest in the Executive Committee stems from my desire to enact real-world change utilizing sound science and policy, coupled with grassroots organizing. Despite the wealth of information, our society is constantly surrounded by, identifying salient issues and actualizing change can be difficult. I want to bring my science and policy background to help advance the Sierra Club’s mission to protect our natural resources for all Americans. I also want to engage with more Vermonters to help Sierra Club distill our goals into effective plans that help solve real problems Vermonters are facing.
ERIN COSGROVE
Erin Cosgrove is an advocate and attorney who works in environmental and energy law. Currently, she works at the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, NEEP, on energy, climate, and equity policy. At NEEP, she assists communities, states, federal agencies, utilities, NGOs, and industry to accelerate state and local government adoption of equitable and impactful energy policies, programs, and best practices to achieve climate goals. Prior to joining NEEP, Erin was a Research and Legal Associate at the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, where she worked on policies to reduce the build-out of natural gas infrastructure and protect the waters of the Delaware River Basin. She believes that by changing how energy is generated and regulated we can mitigate and adapt to climate change, and we can empower people to create a more equitable and resilient grid. She recently moved to Arlington, Vermont, and is excited to work with the Sierra Club and learn more about this beautiful state!
SUZANNE ZELIFF
I would be honored if chosen to be a member of your executive committee! For many years I have intermittently volunteered with the Sierra Club, but for the past nearly two years I dove into contributing to the Community Conversations. By doing that, I have a deeper understanding of what the Vermont Chapter and Sierra Club as a whole is about.
I am a lifelong lover of the environment –some may say loudmouth—advocating for it in varying ways from my first grade Earth Day planting flowers in the parking lot to storming the house steps today. My background in environmental science gives me with an analytical/Devil’s advocate approach to things. I have lived in major metropolises and very small towns. I know the lush life, I know the struggles of being dirt poor. Because of these life experiences, I possess an interesting perspective on things. I want to use that perspective to change the world! I have ideas, I want to be part of the future in a positive way, I really want to rally the proverbial troops to get stuff done. Being a member of the executive committee will provide opportunities to do just that. Thank you for your consideration.
STEVE CROWLEY
Steve Crowley is a climate campaigner and educator from South Burlington. He has served as a member of the VT Chapter executive committee since the chapter started in the 1990s. In that time, he has served in various roles, including chapter chair, and chair of Sierra Club’s national climate campaign. He currently chairs the VT chapter energy committee and is a regular part of the production team for the almost-weekly VT Sierra Community Conversations. He’s recently played an active role for the chapter in advocacy before the VT Climate Council and aims to see that role continue, pursuing the strongest climate actions we can, a tough challenge with our ideologically conservative governor. He also plans to engage again with the chapter’s candidate endorsement process, going into an election season that will be unlike any in recent memory. He would also like to see the chapter re-establish its role as a magnet for volunteer engagement, which has begun to happen. He’s excited to continue this vital work and encouraged to see such a strong group of candidates on this ballot. Please vote! And send your ideas and interests. steve.crowley1@gmail.com.
MARVIN RESNIKOFF
I am a longstanding member of the Sierra Club. In 1974, as a member of the Niagara Group of the Atlantic Chapter, we successfully opposed the relicensing of a nuclear facility in West Valley, New York. The national board appointed me as the Nuclear Subcommittee Chair of the National Energy Committee. I was science director of the national board’s Radioactive Waste Campaign. From 1989 to the present, with an office now located in Brattleboro, I’ve continued work on radioactive waste issues, focused on fracking, transportation of radioactive materials, and health effects of radiation and, decommissioning of nuclear facilities. I received a Ph.D. in high energy theoretical physics from the University of Michigan. I was also appointed by the Vermont State Legislature to the advisory board overseeing the decommissioning of the Vermont Yankee reactor.
On the Vermont ExCom, my primary interest would be in climate and energy matters, particularly in energy conservation and non-nuclear alternatives. I live and work in Brattleboro and of course, drive an electric car. Having previously served on the ExCom of the Atlantic Chapter and national committees, I am familiar with the general operation of the national and state chapters of the Sierra Club and, if elected, intend to be actively involved in fund-raising, meetings, member activity, and conservation policy within the Vermont Chapter.