Linda Barrera

Linda Barrera brings over 15 years of experience working in California state government on clean energy, climate, and transportation solutions. At AJW, she supports clients with her expertise in legislative and regulatory processes to advance clean technologies and decarbonization efforts.

Prior to joining AJW, Linda served in senior leadership roles at the California Energy Commission, including as chief counsel, as an advisor for a former Vice Chair, and as assistant chief counsel. Linda also worked as an attorney with the California Public Utilities Commission on complex ratesetting and cost of capital cases involving investor-owned electric and water utilities.

In her time with the state, she developed in-depth expertise in California’s regulatory and legislation processes, including working on rulemakings to advance energy efficiency through building and appliance efficiency standards and a myriad of other clean energy programs. She led the drafting of legislation to achieve climate and energy goals, including an opt-in process to streamline the permitting of solar, wind, and energy storage facilities. She also provided legal support for the environmental review and permitting of energy facilities in the state. Linda has advised agency clients on the design and implementation of many multimillion-dollar grant and incentive programs, such as California’s Electric Program Investment Charge, Clean Transportation Program, Long Duration Storage Program, Equitable Building Decarbonization Program, and Demand Side Grid Support Program.

Linda has always been passionate about clean energy solutions, including helping launch a community energy program at the Sustainable Economies Law Center in the California Bay Area and advocating for indigenous communities and local energy solutions in Central America. Originally from Panama, she moved to the United States to pursue this passion and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and a Juris Doctor and certificate in environmental and natural resources law from Lewis & Clark Law School.