Nikki Chiappa

Nikki Chiappa is an expert in decarbonization and permitting policy, with a strong track record of advancing bipartisan, market-driven solutions to clean energy infrastructure challenges. Formerly the Associate Director of Federal Policy at the Breakthrough Institute, she led the organization’s efforts to reform federal permitting policies to accelerate the deployment of clean energy, critical minerals and wildfire risk reduction projects. Her work has contributed to national conversations on the role of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in decarbonization, with her research and analysis featured in The Washington Post, Politico, S&P Global and Michael Cembalest’s Eye on the Market Report (2025).

Nikki previously worked in state-level clean energy advocacy at Advanced Energy United and the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association, a regional affiliate of the Solar Energy Industries Association. In these roles, she helped build strong bipartisan coalitions to support offshore wind energy transmission expansion, streamlined rooftop solar permitting and improved stormwater management practices for utility scale solar projects.

Nikki holds a B.A. in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG), as well as an M.P.A. in Environmental Policy, both from American University. A native of Richmond, Virginia, and raised in a family of small business owners, she is a strong advocate for market-driven, cost-effective, and bipartisan approaches to decarbonization. She also serves on the Board of the D.C. chapter of Young Professionals in Energy, where she works to connect and support emerging leaders in the energy sector.