[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE JACKALYNE PFANNENSTIEL

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2017

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to the 
life of the Honorable Ms. Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, a lifelong 
trailblazer dedicated to energy efficiency, who passed away on April 
26, 2017, at the age of 69.
  Ms. Pfannenstiel was born on September 7, 1947 in Norwich, 
Connecticut. She attended Clark University in Massachusetts, where she 
earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and went on to get her Master's 
degree in Economics from the University of Hartford in Connecticut.
  Ms. Pfannenstiel began her career working as an economist at the 
Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control. With an interest in 
energy efficiency, Ms. Pfannenstiel moved to California in 1978 to 
start a new path after being hired by California's Public Utilities 
Commission. After two years, she went to work for Pacific Gas & 
Electric Company and parent company, Pacific Gas & Electric Corporation 
for twenty years. During her twenty years at Pacific Gas & Electric, 
Ms. Pfannenstiel served in various roles, most notably as Vice 
President of Planning and Strategic Initiatives. Through her leadership 
and collaboration, Ms. Pfannenstiel helped write California energy 
policy throughout the 1980's designed to enhance conservation.
  In 2004, Ms. Pfannenstiel became a voice for energy conservation in 
California when she was appointed to the Energy Commission by Governor 
Arnold Schwarzenegger, and in 2006 was named as the commission's first 
female chairwoman. Her leadership did not stop at the state level. In 
2010, President Barack Obama appointed her as Assistant Secretary of 
the Navy for Energy, Installations and the Environment. Her continued 
dedication towards energy conservation can be seen through her work on 
the Great Green Fleet, a squadron of 10 ships and 70 aircrafts, which 
run 50 percent on biofuel.
  In addition to her time as Assistant Secretary, in 2013 Ms. 
Pfannenstiel co-founded a San Francisco start up called Advanced 
Microgrid Solutions aimed to enhance utility usage. Her legacy will be 
remembered through her accomplishments and the progress towards 
improved energy conservation over the years.
  Ms. Jackalyne Pfannenstiel is survived by her husband Daniel, two 
sons Matthew and Steven Deutsch, grandson Wesley Deutsch, sister 
Kathleen Pratt, and brother Richard Pfannenstiel. As a mother of two 
sons, she never missed their games, no matter how busy of a schedule 
she had. It is my honor to join Ms. Jackalyne Pfannenstiel's family in 
celebration of the life of this inspirational woman. She truly led by 
example and encouraged teamwork throughout her life.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing the life, remarkable career, and achievements of 
Ms. Jackalyne Pfannenstiel. Her dedication towards energy conservation 
will be remembered for years to come.

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