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)
Recognition & Awards
JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award, Top Author – Energy, 2025
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
Potential Fallout if Endangerment Finding Is Rescinded
March 25, 2025|Alert
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — March 2025
March 5, 2025|Article
US Tariffs on Canada and Mexico Take Effect Amid Trade Policy Shifts
March 4, 2025|Alert
Events
Neal Martin and Frank Guinta of ML Strategies and Meghan Burke of Mintz will be attending this conference.
Viewpoints
2024 Pre-Election Analysis: Energy and Sustainability
August 5, 2024| Advisory
Read about how the outcome of the presidential election could impact energy and sustainability policy in the inaugural edition of our 2024 Pre-Election Analysis series on how the November 2024 election will impact the legislative and regulatory landscape in a variety of areas.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update – August 2024
July 29, 2024| Blog
Our August Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers the new bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, the introduction of the DOE’s AI Act to advance American leadership and Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence for Science, Security, and Technology (FASST) initiative, a funding opportunity for solar and battery storage in Puerto Rico, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and IRA opportunities.
Washington Shake-Up: Vice President Harris to Lead Democratic Nomination for 2024 Presidency
July 25, 2024| Alert
Read about President Biden’s recent withdrawal from the 2024 presidential election and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, including her stance on technology, climate change, health care, and tax policy.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — July 2024
June 25, 2024| Blog
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| Blog
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| Alert
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| Alert
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| Alert
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| Blog
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.
Industrial Decarbonization Gets Boost in Latest DOE Funding Opportunity
March 14, 2024| Alert
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.
Events
Panelist
Dec
17
2024
Apr
8
2024
Speaker
Nov
18
2021
Energy and Cleantech Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Cleantech San Diego
Virtual Event
Speaker
May
26
2021
Speaker
Feb
17
2021