Tom Carnahan
| Tom Carnahan | |
|---|---|
| TomCarnahan HeadshotTomCarnahan Headshot | |
| Born | January 13, 1969 |
| 🎓 Alma mater | William Jewell College, University of Cambridge, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law |
| 💼 Occupation | Wind and Solar Energy Developer |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Lisa Rose Carnahan |
| 👴 👵 Parent(s) | Mel Carnahan Jean Carnahan |
| 👪 Relatives | Russ Carnahan Robin Carnahan |
Thomas Carnahan is known for developing the first utility-scale wind farms in Missouri through his development company, Wind Capital Group. Carnahan is a renewable energy entrepreneur who has developed extensive wind projects in the American Midwest and internationally. He is a Democratic fundraiser and member of the well-known Missouri Democratic political family. Carnahan has made numerous national media appearances as an expert on renewable energy and public policy. Carnahan is currently a partner at Oakland Capital Partners, leading its renewable energy investments.
Family and personal life
Carnahan was born in 1969 in Rolla, Missouri. Carnahan is the youngest child of the late Mel Carnahan, the former Governor of Missouri and Senator Jean Carnahan, who was appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill the seat to which her husband was posthumously elected. [1] Carnahan graduated from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri in 1991 with a degree in International Relations and Philosophy. [2] He spent his junior year studying abroad at Homerton College, University of Cambridge. Carnahan attended law school at University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1995. [2]
Career
Law
After graduating from University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 1995, Carnahan worked as a staff attorney for the St. Louis City Counselor's office and went on to start his own firm, Carnahan and Garvin. [3] Carnahan practiced law for ten years before turning his attention to developing wind energy in Missouri and the Midwest. [4]
Wind Energy Development
Wind Capital Group
In 2005, Carnahan founded the first Wind Energy Development Company in Missouri, Wind Capital Group (WCG), and led the company as CEO.[4] At the time, there were no wind developers or wind farms in the state, and Carnahan recognized an opportunity to bring renewables to Missouri.[5] Carnahan faced significant doubt and skepticism about the viability of utility-scale wind energy in Missouri.[5] In 2007, Carnahan secured financial backing from the midwestern farming equipment conglomerate John Deere to develop wind farms.[6] John Deere's commitment to WCG, combined with Carnahan's company philosophy and background in farm management, instilled confidence in potential electricity customers. In 2008, Carnahan stated, "Obviously, we have to produce projects that make a return for the investor, and this needs to be a profitable venture, but when you distill it down to what we're all about, we're about making a positive impact on these rural communities." [6][7] Carnahan negotiated a power purchase agreement through Missouri's Rural Electrical Cooperatives for Missouri's first utility-scale wind farms. Springfield-based Associated Electric Cooperative Inc (AEC) agreed to purchase power from Wind Capital Group's first three farms; Bluegrass Ridge and the subsequent Cow Branch and Conception wind farms that followed in development. [6][8][5] These initial farms generated over 150 megawatts of electricity, providing enough power for 45,000 homes in rural Missouri.[9]
In 2008, Carnahan decided Wind Capital would transition from developing and selling wind farms to utilities to becoming an owner-operator.[5] Irish multinational renewable energy investor NTR backed Carnahan and WCG with a $150 million investment and 150 MW of wind turbines. Lost Creek wind farm became the first owner-operator wind farm WCG developed under the new partnership with NTR.[5][10]
Rock Port, Missouri gained national attention as the first entirely wind-powered city in America in 2008, when Wind Capital developed the small Loess Hills wind farm in the town. Media outlets including ABC World News, Japan’s FUJI Television, FOX World News, and CNN covered the wind farm's development.[11] The Loess Hills Wind Farm comprised four Suzlon turbines on the city's farmland.[12] The wind farm's proximity to the larger Lost Creek Wind Farm facilitated its development, utilizing existing construction equipment and personnel familiar with the area's geography and wind potential. [6] The Loess Hills wind farm has a capacity of 5 MW, which is roughly double the town's electrical needs. When the wind farm generates surplus energy, it's sold back to the local grid operator, Missouri Municipal Power Pool.[13]
In 2011, Carnahan stepped down as CEO of Wind Capital Group, transitioning to Chairman. A year later, Carnahan left Wind Capital and sold his remaining stake to NTR.[4] Under Carnahan's leadership, Wind Capital Group developed over 1000 MW of wind energy projects, attracting over a billion dollars in investments for projects in Iowa, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Kansas. [2][14] In 2015, NTR sold Wind Capital Group, which operated 350 MW of wind assets, to Pattern Energy Group for $244 million. [14]
Upepo Energy
In 2014, Carnahan founded Upepo Energy, focused on bringing sustainable, large-scale wind energy projects to East Africa, including Tanzania and Zambia. Carnahan serves as President of Upepo.[2] Upepo is the Swahili word for Wind.[2] The company currently has three projects in various stages of development: the Masaiti Energy Center, Singida Solar, and the Upepo Energy Center.[15] The Masaiti Energy Center, a 150 MW renewable energy project combining wind, solar, and battery storage, is located in Zambia's Copperbelt province.[16] Zambia's grid, primarily powered by hydropower, frequently experiences rolling blackouts due to recent droughts.[16] Upepo Energy is partnering with private utility Copperbelt Energy Company to integrate renewables into the utility's load profile, mitigating blackouts and providing reliable, clean energy to remote areas.[17][16] Singida Solar, a 45 MW solar farm in Tanzania's Singida Municipality, will generate electricity locally, reducing transmission losses and providing economic benefits to farmlands.[18] The Upepo Energy Center, also in Singida, is a proposed phased 200 MW wind farm—the first utility-scale wind farm in Tanzania.[19] The proposed wind farm will encompass over 25,000 acres and eight villages, creating jobs for the local economy.[20] A feasibility study for the Upepo Energy Center is complete, and Upepo is currently negotiating a power purchase agreement with TANESCO. Upepo has implemented social responsibility programs, including reservoir repair and drilling three deep-water wells, providing clean water to 15,000 residents.[2][20]
Oakland Capital Partners
In July 2019, Carnahan joined Oakland Capital Partners, a Clayton-based private equity firm, as a partner.[1] Oakland Capital Partners, established in 2017, invests in high-performing businesses with significant growth potential.[21] In 2017, Oakland Capital made a majority investment in Azimuth Solar, a St. Louis company specializing in solar, energy storage, and microgrid technology.[22]
Board and community leadership
Advanced Energy Economy
In 2012, Carnahan joined the board of directors of the Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), a national business trade group that promotes U.S. energy technology companies globally.[23] Carnahan transitioned from CEO to Chairman in 2011, and subsequently left the company in 2012.[4]
American Wind Energy Association
In 2012, Carnahan became Chairman of the American Wind Energy Association.[4] The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is the national trade association for the U.S. wind industry, advocating for clean wind energy for American consumers.[24] While Chair, Carnahan advocated for the extension of the federal production tax credit to maintain the competitiveness of the utility-scale energy industry.[4]
Saint Louis Art Museum
Carnahan serves as a mayoral-appointed Commissioner for the Saint Louis Art Museum.[25]
Fundraising and politics
2012 Obama Campaign
Carnahan was Missouri's top fundraising bundler for President Obama's 2012 reelection campaign.[26] He raised just under one million dollars.[27]
2020 Biden Campaign
Carnahan is listed as a top bundler for President-elect Biden's 2020 campaign.[28] Carnahan hosted a virtual fundraiser, "Clean Energy for Biden," addressing the state's growing solar sector and transition to renewable energy.[29]
Congressional hearing on jobs
In 2011, Carnahan testified before Leader Pelosi and the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee on job creation, taxpayer protection, and securing the energy future through innovation and clean energy technologies.[7]
Media appearances
Carnahan has appeared on NPR's "All Things Considered," ABC World News, Fox Business News, MSNBC, CNN, and other major networks as an expert on wind energy development.[7][30]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Barr, Diane. "Clayton-based private equity firm adds partner". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Tom Carnahan, '91". William Jewell Alumni. 2019-02-12. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ↑ "Trust in the wind". MIZZOU Magazine. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Tomich, Jeffrey. "Tom Carnahan steps down as Wind Capital chairman". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "How They Built Wind Where It "Couldn't Be Done"". www.greentechmedia.com. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Riding the Wind: Back Issues, altenerG.com - enerG Alternative Sources Magazine - enerG, Archives". www.altenerg.com. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Hearing on Jobs Now: Protecting the Taxpayer & Securing Our Energy Future". Speaker Nancy Pelosi. 2011-02-28. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ↑ "Bluegrass Ridge Wind Farm Commissioned | North American Windpower". nawindpower.com. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
- ↑ Watch, National Wind. "Coop part of wind farm project". National Wind Watch. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
- ↑ Allen, Matt. "Wind Capital, NTR complete transaction". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
- ↑ Youngblood, Lynn. "State making progress with wind". The Examiner of East Jackson County. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ↑ News, A. B. C. "Inside the First Wind-Powered City in America". ABC News. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
- ↑ "Road to 100: How one man's mission to power his hometown by wind created a Northwest Missouri boon". Utility Dive. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Capital, Marathon. "Marathon Capital Advises NTR's Wind Capital Group on the Sale of 350 MW of Operating Wind Projects to Pattern Energy Group". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ↑ "Project Profiles". Upepo Energy. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 admin. "ZAMBIA, USA PARTNER TO INCREASE POWER GENERATION". Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ↑ "Masaiti Energy Center – Copperbelt Province, Zambia". Upepo Energy. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ↑ "Singida Solar – Singida Municipality, Tanzania". Upepo Energy. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ↑ "Upepo Energy Center – Singida, Tanzania". Upepo Energy. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Utility Scale Wind and Solar in Emerging Markets". www.usaid.gov. 2019-04-15. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ↑ "Oakland Capital Partners Announces Former Wind Capital Group CEO Tom Carnahan As Partner". Entrepreneur Quarterly (EQ). 2019-07-17. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ↑ Post-Dispatch, Nikki Forrester St Louis. "Clayton-based Oakland Capital buys into solar firm Azimuth Energy". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
- ↑ "Tom Carnahan joins energy trade group's board". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ↑ "About Us - American Wind Energy Association | AWEA". www.awea.org. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
- ↑ "Current Board Members". Saint Louis Art Museum. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ↑ "Tom Carnahan, an Obama top money raiser, now tipped as next ambassador to Ireland". IrishCentral.com. 2013-11-23. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ↑ "Obama's Top Fund-Raisers". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ↑ "Six Missouri Democrats on Biden list of top fundraisers • Missouri Independent". Missouri Independent. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ↑ "Events". Clean Energy for Biden. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ↑ "Energy Law Leaves Out Wind, Solar Tax Credits". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
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