Work
Neil Matouka is a California climate and energy policy leader with over a decade of experience spanning state government, nonprofit organizations, and independent research. He combines deep institutional knowledge of California's policy landscape with a proven track record of translating complex technical research into actionable policy outcomes.
Most recently, Neil served as Director of Clean Power at Net-Zero California, where he stood up the organization's clean energy program and produced a landmark report on public financing for transmission infrastructure. The report's findings — identifying potential savings of up to 50% through public-private partnerships, competitive solicitation, and public financing — were incorporated into two legislative leadership packages and signed into law in 2025. He also testified before the California legislature as an expert witness and provided advisory support to key legislative staff and committees on transmission financing, transportation, VMT reduction, and conservation easement funding.
Prior to that, Neil served as Program Manager for California's Fifth Climate Change Assessment at the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, overseeing a $22+ million statewide initiative coordinating research across dozens of universities and colleges, nine regional engagement processes, and multiple state agencies. He provided strategic oversight of Cal-Adapt.org, California's primary public climate data platform, and led an interagency team to deliver the full assessment — including four synthesis reports, nine regional reports, approximately 20 new research studies, and a peer-reviewed gap analysis — despite inheriting a program already one year behind schedule.
At the California Air Resources Board, Neil served as the Local Government Climate Action Planning Liaison, acting as the primary point of contact for local governments on climate action planning and GHG inventories. He co-authored Appendix D of CARB's 2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality, creating a new framework for aligning local government climate action planning with state targets. He also represented CARB as a delegate to ICLEI, The Climate Registry, CAPCOA, and the World Resources Institute, contributing to the development of key standards and protocols.
Earlier in his career, Neil directed the Energize Fresno program at CivicWell, a $1.5 million California Energy Commission-funded initiative that earned recognition from the U.S. Department of Energy and was selected to join the DOE's Zero Energy Building and District cohort.
Neil is also an active volunteer leader, currently serving as Board Chair of Welcome Home Housing, Board Member and Secretary of Buy-In Community Planning, Vice Board Chair of the Model Forest Policy Program, and Pacific Regional Council Chair of the National Parks Conservation Association.