Big Decisions 2026

As America’s energy and climate policy landscape changes, what are the topics that will be top of mind for decisionmakers in the new year? Join Resources for the Future (RFF) on Wednesday, January 14 for Big Decisions, our annual keystone event analyzing anticipated federal and state actions.

The event will begin with a fireside chat between RFF President and CEO Billy Pizer and Lazard CEO and Chairman Peter Orszag, former director of the US Office of Management and Budget. The fireside chat will be followed by a panel of experts discussing key drivers of the policy conversation, such as energy affordability and demand growth, as well as looming decisions on regulations and the endangerment finding by the Trump administration, legislative discussions on permitting, and more. Questions from the audience for the panel may be submitted in advance. The event will conclude with a networking reception.

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Registration

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Fireside Chat

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Panel

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Networking Reception

• Peter Orszag, Lazard CEO and Chairman
• Billy Pizer, RFF President and CEO

• Aliya Haq, Clean Economy Project President
• Carrie Jenks, Harvard University Law School Environmental and Energy Law Program Executive Director
• Kristina Costa, University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth Managing Director for Policy and Strategic Engagement