With more than two decades of experience in government and government relations, Neal is Senior Director of Government Relations at ML Strategies. He has represented clients before the U.S. Congress and Executive Branch on a wide range of issues including appropriations, energy and sustainability, tax policy, trade, and transportation. In support of a client portfolio that has included Fortune 100 companies, start-ups, non-profits and associations, and colleges and universities, Neal works to advance client goals related to federal policy and funding opportunities, and to increase client visibility with decision makers at the congressional and federal agency level.
Prior to joining ML Strategies, Neal served as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Max Cleland (D-GA), advising him on numerous issues including appropriations, energy and environment, international relations, natural resources, and trade.
Education
- University of Georgia (BA)
Case Studies
Case Study
ML Strategies formed a coalition of hydropower and renewable energy developers to build support for Massachusetts legislation, which was enacted in August 2016, that allows the state’s utilities to enter into long-term contracts with energy suppliers.
Case Study
ML Strategies advocated for the National Association of Health and Educational Facilities Finance Authorities (NAHEFFA) amid the Trump administration’s tax law overhaul. The final bill maintained the private activity bond tax exemption, including for nonprofit hospitals and higher education.
Case Study
ML Strategies advocated for the interests of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA) and its members before the Massachusetts legislature and health agencies through several rounds of cost containment legislation and bills designed to address the opioid crisis.
Recent Insights
Viewpoints
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — July 2024
June 25, 2024
Hot EPA Issues Heading into the Election Year
May 23, 2024
Events
Neal Martin and Sebastian Lucier from ML Strategies and Mintz will speak on Cleantech San Diego's webinar, "Energy and Cleantech Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act."
Sebastian Lucier and Neal Martin will discuss how President Biden’s transportation and infrastructure plan will affect the cleantech sector on Cleantech San Diego's webinar, "Energy and Infrastructure in the Biden Administration."
Viewpoints
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — July 2024
June 25, 2024|
Our July 2024 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers the IRS’s final rules on wage and registered apprenticeships at clean energy projects, the new set of supply chain cybersecurity principles released by the DOE, upcoming funding opportunities for small modular reactor technologies and methane emissions reduction, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and IRA opportunities.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — June 2024
May 28, 2024|
Our June 2024 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers the IRA’s $8.8 billion Home Energy Rebates program, the Treasury’s guidance on Advanced Energy Project Tax Credits, new federal opportunities related to transmission expansion and critical minerals, hot EPA issues, and new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and IRA opportunities.
Hot EPA Issues Heading into the Election Year
May 23, 2024|
Read about EPA-related issues expected to continue generating debate during the 2024 election season, including the EPA’s fiscal year 2025 budget request, national air quality standards, federal support for electric vehicles, funding programs created under the Inflation Reduction Act, PFAS, and reducing emissions from power plants.
New Legislation Would Expand the Use of Municipal Bonds
May 15, 2024|
Read about the Local Infrastructure Financing Tools (LIFT) Act, pending legislation that calls for policy changes and types of bonds that could be used by governments and nonprofits nationwide for a range of public infrastructure and capital improvement projects.
Treasury Department Issues Guidance on Round Two of §48C Advanced Energy Tax Credit Program
May 2, 2024|
The highly anticipated guidance for the second round of allocations (Round Two) under the US Treasury’s §48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit program was released this week pursuant to IRS Notice 2024-36, with concept papers due potentially in the next 45 days.[1] That doesn’t provide applicants much time, but those with eligible projects should strongly consider submitting a concept paper. Submission of a concept paper is required to submit a full application, and receiving a letter of discouragement from the Department of Energy (DOE) on a concept paper does not preclude an applicant from submitting a full application. Moreover, an applicant that applied for but failed to receive an allocation in the first round is not precluded from applying for an allocation in Round Two.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — May 2024
April 26, 2024|
Our May 2024 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers several DOE developments, including a final rule setting new clean energy targets for federal buildings, a report addressing commercialization of offshore wind, and a simplified NEPA process for some projects, plus final EPA rules aimed at cutting pollution from fossil fuel–fired power plants and $54 million in federal funding for electric mobility.
Read about a $425 million funding opportunity issued by the DOE’s Office of Manufacturing Energy Supply Chains. The program aims to support small- and medium-sized manufacturers that produce or recycle advanced energy products or contribute to emissions reductions within the manufacturing sector.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — March 2024
February 23, 2024|
Our March 2023 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers contenders for the House Energy & Commerce Committee Republican leadership post in the next Congress, new DOE opportunities for advanced battery manufacturing, the second round of Defense Production Act funding for electric heat pumps, a new program to support transit & school bus fleet electrification, an update on the NEVI Program for EV charging infrastructure, and new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law & Inflation Reduction Act opportunities.
House Energy Committee Leadership Post Opens as Top Republican Announces Retirement
February 16, 2024|
Read about the impact of House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers’s plan not to seek reelection and current contenders for the committee’s Republican leadership post.
New Opportunities from DOE for Domestic Manufacturing of Advanced Batteries
February 12, 2024|
Read about a $15.7 million funding opportunity issued by the DOE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office aimed at increasing productivity and lowering the costs of US battery production.
Events
Apr
8
2024
Nov
18
2021
Energy and Cleantech Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Cleantech San Diego
Virtual Event
May
26
2021
Feb
17
2021