Paul Lau | 2023 Clean Energy Champion

CEO & General Manager, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)

“Paul Lau exemplifies what is best about the clean energy movement: he is forward thinking, he prioritizes equity, and he believes in the power of collaboration." - CESA Executive Director Warren Leon

Paul Lau is CEO & General Manager of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). He is widely recognized by his peers and community as an industry thought leader and fierce advocate for equity and inclusion.

Lau began his career at SMUD 40 years ago as a college intern and worked his way up through the company – in nearly every business unit at SMUD. He has contributed to shaping many of SMUD’s industry-leading initiatives, including carbon reduction and clean energy solutions that deliver on SMUD’s purpose to improve the quality of life for its customers and community.

Upon becoming CEO & General Manager of SMUD in 2020, he spearheaded the development of the 2030 Clean Energy Vision and Zero Carbon Plan to eliminate all carbon emissions from SMUD’s power supply by 2030. It’s the most ambitious carbon reduction goal of any large utility in the United States.

With Lau’s leadership, the SMUD Board approved a transformational new rate for solar and energy storage, which will deliver environmental and reliability benefits to all customers while accelerating carbon reduction. The changes include a program to bring the benefits of solar energy to customers in historically under-resourced communities.

“I’m honored to be recognized by CESA as a clean energy champion,” Lau. “But I’m even more honored to be working on something so transformational for our community. Our zero-carbon plan will deliver regional health and economic benefits in a way that is equitable and affordable. I am thankful to our Board for their continued leadership, our community for their support, and our entire SMUD team for their dedication to finding clean energy solutions and helping us build a successful clean energy economy.”