Improving US Energy Policy Through Better Dialogue Between Consumers and the Energy Industry

Thursday, 8 May
1215–1345

Michael D. Whatley, Vice President, Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA)

Michael Whatley serves as vice president of the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the nonprofit organization formed to help support the thoughtful utilization of all domestic energy resources, improve domestic energy security, and reduce consumer prices. Whatley is also the executive director of the Southeast Energy Alliance and a partner in HBW Resources, a Houston-based consulting firm specializing in providing the energy sector with issues management and advocacy third-party outreach.

Previously, Whatley served as the chief of staff for Senator Elizabeth Dole; staff director and chief counsel for the subcommittee on clean air, climate change, and nuclear safety of the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; principal deputy assistant secretary for the US Department of Energy; and counsel to the Senate Republican Conference. Whatley also served as a senior policy coordinator and counsel to the Bush-Cheney campaign and transition teams and a law clerk for the Honorable Robert D. Potter.

After leaving public service, Whatley founded the Patriot Group, a senior level policy and legislative advocacy organization, and was a partner in O’Connor & Hannan, a full-service law firm with expertise in energy, environment, and transportation policy.

Whatley holds a JD and a master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree in religion from Wake Forest University, and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.