Heather Buchanan is a member of the Markets & Policy Group in the Strategic Energy Analysis Center. She analyzes local, state, federal, and international laws, policies, and regulations regarding renewable energy topics, including permitting, licensing, siting, and end-of-life management for renewable energy projects.

Research Interests

Circular economy for energy materials

Environmental law, policy, and regulation

Energy and transmission law, policy, and regulation

Education

J.D., University of Colorado Law School

B.A. in History, University of Alabama

Professional Experience

Legal & Regulatory Intern, NREL (2018-2020)

Student Attorney, Getches-Green Natural Resources and Environmental Law Clinic (2018)

Communications Intern and Online Contributor, Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (2017-2019)

Judicial Intern, Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (2017)

Featured Work

Solar Photovoltaic Module Recycling: A Survey of U.S. Policies and Initiatives, NREL Technical Report (2021)

A Circular Economy for Lithium-Ion Batteries Used in Mobile and Stationary Energy Storage: Drivers, Barriers, Enablers, and U.S. Policy Considerations, NREL Technical Report (2021)

A Circular Economy for Solar Photovoltaic System Materials: Drivers, Barriers, Enablers, and U.S. Policy Considerations, NREL Technical Report (2021)

Basin-Wide Approaches to Hydropower Relicensing: Case Studies and Considerations, NREL Technical Report (2019)