Kara Colton

Arlington, VA, USA

Ms. Kara Colton is a proven nuclear policy expert and strategic consultant with over 20 years of leadership experience in energy policy, government relations, and community engagement. She is recognized for managing high impact projects and building strong relationships across public and private sectors. Her consulting experience includes representation of nuclear energy-affiliated groups and local governments with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), labor unions, at national conferences, and at nuclear industry and association meetings. She currently works as a principal consultant with the Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) and previously served on their staff for 17 years, most recently as the Director of Nuclear Programs. In this capacity, she managed high-profile nuclear policy initiatives, working with government leaders and communities on complex energy issues including environmental management across the federal nuclear weapons complex and siting new nuclear projects. She co-founded ECA’s New Nuclear Initiative to define the role of local governments in supporting the development of new nuclear technologies and projects.

Prior to working with ECA, Ms. Colton was the Energy and Environment Division Program Director for the National Governors Association. In this role, she led energy and environment policy programs, managing four federal grants as well as staff working on energy-related issues. She worked with U.S. Governors’ designees and the DOE to ensure the responsible cleanup of federal nuclear facilities and developed consensus positions of states to federal agencies and affected stakeholders on issues related to the cleanup of nuclear waste and long-term stewardship, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Her work included building and fostering collaborative relationships with associations representing public utility commissioners, state energy offices, state legislators, local communities, Tribes, attorneys general, and state environmental commissioners. She was previously a Senior Consultant and Communications for GF Energy LLC, where she managed public relations and media outreach for energy sector consultants and clients, providing input and guidance on energy market strategies and communications.

Ms. Colton earned an MA in European Politics from the University of Essex and a BA in Spanish, Government and Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia.

Areas of Expertise

• Community support outreach development
• Government Policy evaluation and impacts
• Regulatory assistance and support
• Repository and recycling economics
• Spent fuel storage options and economics