A group of people attending a panel discussion or presentation indoors, with some seated and some standing, featuring a woman speaking into a microphone and others seated beside her, in a modern room with warm lighting, plants, and a black and wooden interior design.

About Deploy Action’s Work

Deploy Action is an energy technology policy and implementation partner for states. We are working to accelerate affordable, reliable clean energy deployment.

Accelerating an Affordable, Reliable Clean Energy Future

We bridge the gap between ambitious energy goals and the practical, political, and technical realities of state-level implementation.

Our Work
What Sets Us Apart
Proven Impact
The Road Ahead
  • Icon of a padlock with an open shackle and a lightning bolt inside, indicating security or power.

    Unlock the Grid

    Increase grid utilization, scale demand flexibility, and align market incentives.

  • A gear icon with a dollar sign in the middle

    Catalyze Project Funding

    Connect clean tech companies, capital, and policymakers.

  • Two hands shaking as an icon.

    Build Coalitions

    Unite investors, innovators, and leaders to drive deployment.

  • Target with an arrow hitting the bullseye

    Win the Narrative

    Elevate clean energy as the backbone of AI, jobs, and U.S. competitiveness.

As states increasingly control the pace of the energy transition through regulation, permitting, and grid planning, Deploy Action provides the strategic coordination and durable political support necessary to move at scale.

Founded by Jigar Shah, Arnab Pal, and a team of Department of Energy veterans, industry leaders, and former elected officials, we bring deep experience in scaling projects and driving policy change. We are technology-neutral and results-focused that defines success by lower costs for consumers, improved grid reliability, and strengthened economic competitiveness.

Our unique structure allows us to drive impact across the entire policy lifecycle:

  • Deploy Action (501(c)4): Focuses on policy durability and building the political will to advance pro-deployment policies.

  • Deploy Action Fund (501(c)3): Focuses on education, research, and policy design for clean energy deployment.

A panel discussion at the VX 2025 conference with five individuals, four women and one man, seated on stage. A man is standing at a podium to the left, with a microphone. The stage features black curtains and a sign that reads 'VX 2025 VERDE EXCHANGE.' Audience members are visible in the foreground, and the room is decorated with green and blue lighting.

Our executive director, Arnab Pal, explains why Deploy Action was founded: To advance clean energy deployment as an affordability issue that actually taps into what people care about when they vote.

What Sets Deploy Action Apart

We are a nimble team built to remove bureaucratic barriers and solve deployment bottlenecks.

  • Political & Policy Integration: We engage deeply with lawmakers to provide the information, tools, and stakeholder support needed to stay in leadership and win on clean energy.

  • Labor Engagement: We view labor unions as essential partners. We collaborate closely with union leaders to ensure clean energy policies create high-quality jobs and support a robust workforce.

  • A "Grasstops" Network: Our team consists of seasoned veterans with a local, statewide, and national network of policymakers and political strategists.

  • No Mixed Agendas: Unlike trade associations or environmental nonprofits, we have no membership or mixed agenda; our sole focus is accelerating deployment and reducing ratepayer costs.

“Grid utilization has grown in popularity in the last year, and in January landed on Gov. Spanberger’s ‘Affordable Virginia Agenda’ — as the result of work between her transition team and Deploy Action, a group advocating for state policies that accelerate clean energy deployment.”

— Latitude Media

A tall electrical transmission tower with power lines against a sky with pink clouds at sunset.

A Proven Impact

Our work in California and Virginia demonstrates how targeted policy intervention can lead to massive economic benefits:

  • Lowering Ratepayer Costs: We championed the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative (AB 825), which formalized a regional collaboration estimated to save California ratepayers $800M per year.

  • Advancing Grid Utilization: We worked in Virginia to help pass bipartisan legislation (HB 434 / SB 621) requiring utilities to establish standardized grid utilization metrics and evaluate non-wires alternatives such as virtual power plants and storage before building new infrastructure. These reforms give regulators tools to avoid unnecessary spending and protect ratepayers.

The Road Ahead

In 2026, we have expanded our proven model into high-impact states like Virginia to help lower electricity bills and improve the utilization of the grid.

By 2027, we will be active in at least five priority states: California, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan

Clean energy is the most affordable, reliable, and competitive path forward. We are here to ensure that the market structures of the past do not stand in the way of the energy future that we deserve. Our approach includes four complementary strategies:

  • Policy Design: Develop pragmatic, technology-neutral reforms that improve grid utilization and market efficiency.

  • Technical Assistance: Support regulators, cities, and utilities with real-world demonstrations such as virtual power plants and electrified school bus fleets.

  • Coalition Building: Align labor, business, faith, and community leaders around policies that improve affordability and reliability.

  • Narrative Change: Reframe clean energy around cost savings, grid reliability, and economic growth.

States Are the New Battleground

The stakes are rising. Grids everywhere are straining from heat waves, AI-driven demand, and aging infrastructure. One in six U.S. families is behind on its utility bills.

Clean, distributed power must now move from backup to backbone and prove it works at scale.

Join Us