Climate and Energy

Climate Consultant

Laurie recently retired after 35 years as an attorney at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Laurie and her husband Allan Zabel, also formerly with EPA, have written and spoken on climate policy. Her goals are to apply the skills she learned at EPA to address the climate crisis. She looks forward to collaborating with others to draft principles for national climate legislation and to help build public support for effective and fair climate legislation. Laurie and Allan’s prior climate work includes their 2008 Open Letter to Congress, their climate video (“The Huge Mistake”), a Washington Post op-ed (“Cap-and-Trade Mirage”), and work on a 2012 lawsuit challenging California’s offset protocols (Citizens Climate Lobby and Our Children’s Earth Foundation vs. CARB). Laurie has a B.A. from Yale, an M.S.W. from Smith College and a J.D. from UC Berkeley Law. She enjoys hiking, camping and spending time with family including her grandchildren and godchildren.

Climate Hope & Public Employees in the Age of Trump

by Laurie Williams | April 16, 2025
The Trump Administration’s assaults against efforts to preserve a livable climate are breathtaking in their ambition. What can public employees and ordinary citizens do to help maintain climate hope during this critical time ...

NOAA Must Show Musk the Door

by PEER | February 10, 2025
Acting Commerce Secretary Asked to Reveal Extent of Musk-led Data Breach ...

REPORT | Unbundled: Fixing Maryland’s Broken Renewable Portfolio Standard

by PEER |
Maryland's Renewable Portfolio Standard is failing to deliver on its renewable electricity goal and imposing unnecessary costs on the state's economy and residents ...

PFAS Endangering Our Food Supply

by Laura Dumais | November 4, 2024
PEER is engaged in several efforts to prevent toxic PFAS from contaminating our food chain. Unfortunately, EPA is being more of a hindrance than a help ...