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? On Wednesday, January 14, Resources for the Future (RFF) hosted Big Decisions, our annual keystone event analyzing anticipated federal and state actions.

The event began 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 was 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. The event concluded 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 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
• Jeremy Harrell, ClearPath Chief Executive Officer
• Chuck McCutcheon, Axios Energy and Climate Editor (Moderator)