My name is Rich Swanson, and I am running for RMLD Commissioner in the upcoming election. I’m excited about the opportunity. I currently work as the Director of the Energy & Climate Division at Blue Strike – a small consultancy – as an energy economist and finance specialist with experience in infrastructure planning, regulatory design, and strategic decarbonization. Specifically, I lead a team that delivers tailored sustainability and energy strategies to public and private sector clients.
My work has taken me around the world – with organizations like the World Bank, the National Association of Regulated Utility Commissioners (NARUC), and the Asian and African Development Banks – where I’ve helped develop utility-scale energy strategies, conducted cost-benefit analyses, and designed regulatory frameworks. I also teach finance and economics at Northeastern University, as a part-time professor.
As a long-time resident of Reading, I care deeply about our community’s future. I’m running for RMLD Commissioner because I want to help ensure we continue to benefit from affordable, reliable, and sustainable power. I hope my experience and hometown perspective can play a small role in helping RMLD navigate our energy future with transparency and a focus on what’s best for local ratepayers.
