RIC Energy’s Gerard Weir Appointed to NYSEIA Board of Directors
RIC Energy is proud to announce that Gerard Weir, Director of Government Affairs, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) for a term running through 2027.
Weir was selected in recognition of his leadership advancing solar and energy storage development in New York and his work addressing some of the state’s most urgent energy challenges, including rising electricity costs, grid constraints, and the need for responsibly sited clean energy infrastructure.
As New Yorkers face increasing energy prices and growing demand on the electric grid, industry collaboration and thoughtful policy engagement have become critical. Through his work at RIC Energy, Weir has been actively involved in advancing solutions that help stabilize long-term energy costs, including community solar development, battery energy storage siting, and expansion of utility interconnection opportunities needed to bring new generation online.
Advancing Solutions to New York’s Energy Affordability Challenges
In his role on the NYSEIA Board, Weir will help inform the organization’s strategic direction by bringing practical development experience and policy insight into discussions shaping the future of solar and storage deployment across the state. His perspective reflects the realities developers and communities face as they work to deliver projects that improve grid reliability, expand access to clean energy, and help control long-term electricity costs.
His appointment comes at a time when battery energy storage systems and distributed solar are playing an increasingly important role in helping New York manage peak demand, avoid costly grid upgrades, and create more resilient local energy infrastructure.
In a company-wide announcement, Gerard reflected on his appointment: "I am thrilled to have been appointed to serve on the NYSEIA Board of Directors. As a member of the Board, I look forward to representing the interests of New York State's distributed solar and energy storage developers in what is truly a pivotal moment for our industry.”
He reiterated his commitment to working with state leadership and delivering benefits to ratepayers and communities statewide: “In the months and years ahead I will be working closely with the NYSEIA Board, staff and membership to engage with legislators, regulators, the Governor's office, state agencies, and other stakeholders to address the growing challenges our industry faces around interconnection, siting and permitting, rising costs, and federal policy headwinds. In confronting these challenges and enacting necessary reforms and improvements we will solidify New York State as a national leader in distributed solar and energy storage development, ultimately benefiting industry stakeholders, utility ratepayers, and all New Yorkers."
Leadership in Government Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement
As Director of Government Affairs at RIC Energy, Weir leads engagement with government entities and public stakeholders in support of the company’s growing renewable energy portfolio. Working within RIC Energy’s Strategy team, he helps navigate policy and regulatory pathways while fostering constructive dialogue between our associations, elected officials, regulators, and RIC’s New York-based development teams.
His work includes supporting the siting of battery energy storage projects, advancing community solar initiatives that provide energy savings to subscribers, and helping move projects through the utility interconnection process so they can deliver economic and energy benefits to New Yorkers.
“Gerard’s appointment to the NYSEIA board is well deserved as it reflects his passion for bringing good energy projects to New Yorkers that address multiple interests,” said Jonathan Rappe, CEO of RIC Energy North America. “He embodies RIC’s mission for balancing energy needs, local priorities, and environmental protection.”
Weir’s appointment reflects RIC Energy’s continued commitment to being an active participant in the organizations and conversations shaping New York’s energy future, and to advancing projects that help address the affordability challenges facing residents and businesses across the state.
