Juniper Katz

Juniper Katz studies how governance design shapes energy transition outcomes in the United States and the role of civil society organizations in environmental policy. Two research strands organize this work: energy and environmental governance, including renewable energy permitting, siting conflict, and conservation policy tools; and civil society in governance, including nonprofit capacity, policy voice, and enforcement partnerships. She uses mixed methods including large-N datasets, case studies, and qualitative interviews.

Before entering academia, she spent a decade as a land conservation professional and nonprofit leader in Colorado, serving as executive director of Montezuma Land Conservancy and program manager at Colorado Open Lands. In those roles, she raised over $5 million and led the protection of 49,000 acres of land and habitat.

She directs the Katz Environment and Energy Lab (KEEL) and holds a research affiliate appointment at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Research interests 

Energy transition governance, renewable energy siting and permitting, policy conflict, civil society in governance, nonprofit capacity and policy voice, land conservation policy