, Strengthening Coalition Leadership and Membership Across the Energy Industry
A long-time energy and coalition leader, Rafferty will now guide innovators, businesses, and advocates working to reduce grid strain and improve energy affordability and reliability for all.
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Common Charge, the coalition that works to bring down electricity costs and reduce strain on the grid by championing the widespread benefits of distributed assets, today announced the appointment of seasoned coalition leader Mary Rafferty as Executive Director. In this role, Rafferty leads the push for education and policy to unlock the full power of distributed assets at a critical moment for the electric grid and all consumers. At the helm of this group of innovators, consumers, nonprofits, and businesses, Rafferty oversees day-to-day operations, drives strategy, shapes organizational policies, and coordinates directly with membership to ensure impact.
Rafferty brings over a decade of experience in coalition leadership in the climate and energy sectors, primarily in the energy-intensive state of Virginia, the data center capital of the world. Prior to this appointment, Rafferty served as Executive Director of the Virginia Conservation Network (VCN), leading strategy for a coalition of more than 160 organizations working toward environmental victories with a shared voice. She previously led grassroots organizing and project management at Repower America, Sierra Club, and The Public Interest Network.
“I’m honored to lead the Common Charge coalition, especially at a time when energy affordability and grid capacity are needed more than ever,” said Mary Rafferty, Common Charge’s Executive Director. “It’s time to recast our antiquated energy system and how we power our lives by letting distributed assets lead the way to drive down costs and increase reliability for everyone.”
Since its official launch in September 2025, Common Charge has more than doubled its membership from its original roster. Founding members include 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. New members such as Mission:data, the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Think Microgrid and Voltus have since joined. Rafferty will coordinate directly with coalition members to ensure a cohesive voice, evolving strategy, and seamless operations.
Rafferty takes the reins of Common Charge from another well-respected energy leader, Katherine Hamilton, who served as Acting Director during the coalition’s launch phase. “Mary Rafferty’s impactful hands-on experience and innate sense for driving consumer awareness fit perfectly with this group of impressive, distributed asset businesses and nonprofits,” said Katherine Hamilton, a member of Common Charge’s founding leadership. “I am confident that under Mary’s direction, Common Charge will thrive, empowering families across the nation to push for affordable, reliable energy system that makes the most of batteries, smart thermostats, solar, and the technologies that enable them.”
“Together, we will work to uplift real and available solutions to tackle the energy affordability crisis unlike any other group, opening new avenues to educate all Americans about the benefits of distributed assets, including saving people money, reducing outages, and increasing consumer control,” Rafferty added. “This organization will excite and engage people, stakeholders, and decision-makers around these solutions, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to spearhead that transformation.”
About Common Charge:
Common Charge stands for an energy system where every family, business, and community holds the power—not just to use energy, but to shape it. As a coalition of innovators—consumers, nonprofits, and businesses—we’ve united to modernize our energy grid. Through policy reform and fair market access, we can create a stronger, more affordable system that can be powered from everywhere. Together, we unlock consumer power. For more information, visit commoncharge.org and follow on LinkedIn, Twitter (X), and Instagram.
Contacts
Media Inquiries: CommonCharge@antennagroup.com
