Tony Reames

Dr. Tony Reames is the Tishman Professor of Environmental Justice and an Associate Professor, widely recognized for his scholarship and senior government leadership in environmental and energy justice.

Dr. Reames founded the Urban Energy Justice Lab and the Energy Equity Project and currently serves as Director of the U-M SEAS Detroit Sustainability Clinic. His research centers on advancing fair and equitable access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy, and on examining the root causes and persistence of energy disparities across race, income, and geography.

From 2021 to 2023, Dr. Reames was a Presidential appointee in the Biden-Harris Administration, serving in several senior roles within the U.S. Department of Energy. He began as Senior Advisor in the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, and as Deputy Director for Energy Justice, he established and led the first-ever Office of Energy Justice Policy and Analysis, overseeing research and evaluation of federal energy policies and programs to advance racial and socioeconomic equity. Later, as Principal Deputy Director for the Office of State and Community Energy Programs, he partnered with state and local entities to accelerate place-based clean energy strategies in collaboration with government, community, business, and other stakeholders.

Dr. Reames holds a PhD in Public Administration from the University of Kansas, a Master of Engineering Management from Kansas State University, and a BS in Civil Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. He is also a licensed professional engineer with experience across the public and private sectors. Prior to his academic and government service, he served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Captain and completing a tour of duty in Iraq.