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 2023
July 3, 2023|
Our July 2023 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law & Inflation Reduction Act opportunities, the strong growth in energy-related jobs, IRS and Treasury department guidance on the Section 48C advanced energy tax credit, funding programs for solar power, electric vehicles, and weatherization, plus the Rural Energy Savings Act and legislation aimed at expediting transmission siting and permitting practices.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — June 2023
June 1, 2023|
Our June 2023 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law & Inflation Reduction Act opportunities, how the bipartisan debt ceiling compromise would impact the energy sector, a GSA pilot of requirements to use low embodied carbon construction materials, and two pending federal energy bills — the Energy Emergency Leadership Act and the Carbon Limiting Emissions At Refineries Act.
Washington Energy & Sustainability Update — May 2023
May 2, 2023|
This issue of Hill to Hill covers the budget and appropriations process on Capitol Hill, developments related to the Advanced Research Project Agency for Health and the CHIPS and Science Act, the start of the new Massachusetts legislative session and proposals filed by the Healey-Driscoll administration, and recent ML Strategies events.
Washington Energy & Sustainability Update — April 2023
April 3, 2023|
Our April 2023 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers a significant energy package being advanced by House Republicans, the Treasury Department proposing new guidance on the Inflation Reduction Act EV Tax Credit, the first-ever national Offshore Wind Energy Strategy, EV investments, climate change and cyberattack legislation, hydrogen infrastructure, IRA and Bipartisan Infrastructure opportunities.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — March 2023
March 3, 2023|
Our March 2023 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers a significant energy package being advanced by House Republicans, the US-UK Strategic Energy Dialogue, ARPA-E Funding for Grid Reliability and Resiliency, and new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law & Inflation Reduction Act opportunities.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — February 2023
February 3, 2023|
Our February 2023 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers a DOE clean hydrogen funding opportunity, a FEMA report on Puerto Rico grid resilience, a program launched by national labs that focuses on community energy goals, a national blueprint for transportation decarbonization, and new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law & Inflation Reduction Act opportunities.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — January 2023
December 29, 2022|
Our January 2023 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers a letter from senators to the Department of Interior urging withdrawal of energy infrastructure guidance, a Biden administration guidebook on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Treasury Department guidance on IRA labor requirements, proposed standards for energy-efficient distribution transformers, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opportunities.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — December 2022
December 2, 2022|
Our December 2022 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers energy permitting reform legislation, the Renew America’s Schools grant program that focuses on energy improvements to reduce school energy costs and increase indoor air quality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking public input on required volumes of biofuel in the future, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opportunities.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — November 2022
October 31, 2022|
Our November 2022 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers Treasury Department and IRS announcements seeking public input on climate and energy tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a roundtable discussion on clean power generation, a GSA and DOE request for information on achieving net-zero carbon buildings, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opportunities.
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