Common Charge Appoints Mary Rafferty as Executive Director to Strengthen Coalition Leadership and Advance Distributed Energy Solutions
Common Charge, a dynamic coalition dedicated to lowering electricity costs and alleviating grid stress by promoting the benefits of distributed energy resources, today announced the appointment of Mary Rafferty as its Executive Director. In this pivotal role, Rafferty will lead efforts to educate policymakers, drive advocacy, and expand the coalition’s influence at a critical juncture for the U.S. energy system, where distributed assets such as solar, batteries, and smart devices are increasingly essential for cost savings, reliability, and resilience.
As Executive Director, Rafferty assumes responsibility for the coalition’s day-to-day operations, strategy development, policy advocacy, and member engagement. She will guide Common Charge in shaping policies that unlock the full potential of distributed assets, ensuring that the voices of consumers, businesses, nonprofits, and innovators are amplified in conversations that impact the nation’s energy landscape. Her leadership marks a continuation of the coalition’s mission to transform the energy system into one that is more equitable, efficient, and responsive to the needs of all Americans.
Rafferty brings more than a decade of experience in coalition leadership within the climate and energy sectors, primarily focused on Virginia, a state known for its significant energy-intensive industries and its status as the global hub for data centers. Before joining Common Charge, Rafferty served as Executive Director of the Virginia Conservation Network (VCN), where she directed strategy for a coalition of over 160 organizations advocating for environmental progress with a unified voice. Her prior work includes leading grassroots organizing, project management, and strategic campaigns at Repower America, Sierra Club, and The Public Interest Network, providing her with a deep understanding of both the policy landscape and the power of coalition-driven advocacy.
“I am honored to lead the Common Charge coalition, especially at a time when energy affordability and grid capacity are critical issues for communities across the country,” said Mary Rafferty, Executive Director of Common Charge. “Our energy system is evolving, and distributed assets are key to this transformation. By leveraging technologies like solar, batteries, and smart energy management tools, we can reduce costs, increase reliability, and empower consumers to take control of their energy future. I look forward to working with our members to drive meaningful change for families, businesses, and communities nationwide.”
Since its official launch in September 2025, Common Charge has rapidly expanded, more than doubling its membership from its founding roster. Early members included Advanced Energy United, Charge Ahead Partnership, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA), Eco Capital, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Pivot Energy, Solar United Neighbors, Sunrun, and Vote Solar. The coalition has continued to grow, welcoming organizations such as Mission:data, the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Think Microgrid, and Voltus. Rafferty will play a key role in coordinating with these members, ensuring a cohesive strategy and effective collaboration to maximize the coalition’s impact on energy policy and consumer awareness.
Rafferty succeeds Katherine Hamilton, a respected energy leader who served as Acting Director during the coalition’s formative phase. Hamilton praised Rafferty’s appointment, noting her unique combination of hands-on experience, strategic insight, and passion for consumer advocacy. “Mary Rafferty’s experience and her ability to engage both businesses and consumers make her the perfect leader for Common Charge at this stage of growth,” said Hamilton, a member of the coalition’s founding leadership. “Under her guidance, the coalition will continue to empower families and communities, championing technologies and strategies that make our energy system more affordable, resilient, and consumer-focused.”
Under Rafferty’s leadership, Common Charge aims to tackle the energy affordability crisis through real, actionable solutions. These include promoting the adoption of distributed assets, highlighting the economic and reliability benefits of smart energy technologies, and increasing public understanding of how these tools can reduce utility bills, prevent outages, and provide consumers with more control over their energy usage. By combining advocacy, education, and strategic partnerships, the coalition seeks to position distributed energy resources at the forefront of the nation’s energy transition.
“Distributed energy assets are no longer optional; they are essential to the modern energy grid,” Rafferty added. “From smart thermostats to community solar projects, these technologies provide tangible benefits to consumers while supporting the broader grid. Common Charge will serve as a hub for innovation, policy leadership, and public engagement, helping Americans understand and access these solutions. I’m excited to lead this coalition in a way that inspires action and drives real-world impact.”
Common Charge’s mission comes at a time when the U.S. energy system faces unprecedented challenges, including rising electricity costs, increased demand from residential and commercial users, and the need for resilient, distributed solutions to prevent widespread outages. By focusing on coalition-driven strategies, policy advocacy, and public education, Common Charge is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between technology innovation and practical, scalable solutions for energy consumers.
Rafferty’s appointment signals a new chapter for Common Charge, emphasizing the coalition’s commitment to leadership, strategic growth, and measurable outcomes. Her experience in guiding large networks of organizations, coupled with her expertise in energy policy and grassroots mobilization, positions her to lead the coalition in expanding its reach, influencing policy, and ultimately helping Americans save money, reduce energy waste, and gain greater control over how they consume and generate electricity.
With Rafferty at the helm, Common Charge continues to strengthen its position as a leading advocate for distributed energy solutions, championing a future where clean, affordable, and reliable electricity is accessible to all. Through education, coalition-building, and strategic advocacy, the organization aims to transform the way the nation thinks about energy, empowering consumers and businesses alike to participate in a modern, resilient, and sustainable energy system.
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