Faith Martinez Smith is an energy policy and regulatory analyst within the Markets and Policy Group in the Strategic Energy Analysis Center. Faith primarily focuses on the intersection of policy and energy technologies, including policy and regulatory challenges associated with energy development and transmission as well as stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining NREL, Faith spent time in the Texas state regulatory space and as a policy analyst for ClearPath, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, focused on decarbonizing the energy and industrial sectors, based in Washington, D.C.

Within the regulatory space, she has previously worked in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting, including industrial, municipal, and underground injection control permitting. As a policy analyst, she managed portfolios in geothermal, hydropower, and energy storage technologies. During her time in Washington, D.C., Faith connected science and policy by direct engagement with policymakers and their staff, writing and presenting educational materials on Capitol Hill, stakeholder engagement, and in providing feedback for proposed legislation.

Research Interests

State and federal energy and environmental policy analysis

Energy, environmental, and water quality regulation

Energy market and policy analysis

Energy-water nexus

Geothermal energy

Education

M.S., Energy and Earth Resources, University of Texas at Austin

M.G.P.S., Global Policy Studies, University of Texas at Austin

B.S., Environmental Science, Westminster University (previously known as Westminster College) (Salt Lake City)

Professional Experience

Researcher III, NREL (2022–present)

Engineering Specialist III, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (2020–2021)

Policy Analyst, ClearPath (2018–2020)

Research Associate, AIQUEOUS (2017)

Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, Webber Energy Group, University of Texas at Austin (2014–2016)

Engineering Specialist I, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (2014)

Featured Work

Geothermal Interagency Collaboration Task Force: Summary of Findings, NREL Technical Report (2023)

Topics and Considerations for Developing State Geothermal Regulations, NREL Technical Report (2023)

Harnessing Heat: How the Federal Government Can Advance Geothermal Energy, ClearPath and Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (2020)

Introduction to Hydropower, ClearPath Our Take (2020)

The Renewable Oldies but Goodies: Hydropower and Geothermal, ClearPath Our Take (2020)

Supply Chain for Lithium and Critical Minerals Is…Critical, ClearPath Our Take (2020)

Introduction to Energy Storage, ClearPath Our Take (2018)