Governor Moore Appoints New Maryland Energy Administration Director

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Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced the appointment of Kelly Speakes-Backman to lead the Maryland Energy Administration, effective December 24. This appointment follows the retirement of former director Paul G. Pinsky, who served for 39 years. Speakes-Backman’s extensive background in the energy sector, including leadership roles in state government, federal programs, and the clean energy industry, is expected to guide Maryland’s energy initiatives.

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Speakes-Backman brings over two decades of experience to the position. Most recently, she served as executive vice president of public affairs at Invenergy, where she was responsible for global corporate communications and government relations. Before her tenure at Invenergy, Speakes-Backman held significant positions within the U.S. Department of Energy. There, she managed a multi-billion dollar portfolio focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation as the acting assistant secretary and principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Her appointment signifies a return to Maryland state government, where she previously held key leadership roles during the O’Malley-Brown Administration. From 2011 to 2015, Speakes-Backman was a commissioner on the Maryland Public Service Commission. In this capacity, she oversaw major utility rate cases and was instrumental in implementing the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act. Prior to her commission service, she directed clean energy initiatives at the Maryland Energy Administration, spearheading technical and policy efforts to meet the state’s renewable energy targets.

As the new director of the Maryland Energy Administration, Speakes-Backman will be tasked with advancing the Moore-Miller Administration’s priorities. These include enhancing energy affordability, ensuring grid reliability, promoting clean energy deployment, and developing the clean energy workforce. A key aspect of her role will also involve strengthening Maryland’s capacity to secure and utilize federal resources for energy projects. Speakes-Backman holds an undergraduate degree from Boston University.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore.

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