Overview
The APAICS Energy & Commerce Summit brings together industry and community leaders alongside Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AA & NH/PI) Members of Congress to discuss top-line energy and commerce concerns that are affecting the AA & NH/PI community and the nation at-large.
During the virtual Summit, speakers will explore topics ranging from green workforce development, the current state of the energy landscape, the future of climate action, building next generation businesses, mobility and transportation access, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence and data centers. Community and industry leaders, alongside key stakeholders and policymakers, will discuss the challenges they face and the policy solutions they are developing in response.
The 2026 Energy & Commerce Summit will air virtually on July 22 on YouTube.
Interested in sponsoring the 2026 Energy & Commerce Summit? Please reach out to externalaffairs@apaics.org.
Featured Speakers
The 2026 Energy & Commerce Summit will feature Congressional leaders, including Sen. Andy Kim (NJ), Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rep. Ed Case (HI-01), Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17), and Rep. Vince Fong (CA-20).
Panel Overview
Jobs of Tomorrow: Building a Green Workforce for the Future
As the United States continues its transition toward a clean energy economy, policymakers and industry leaders must ensure workers and communities are not left behind. This panel will explore strategies for green workforce development, retaining and retraining displaced workers, and expanding access to emerging industries. Panelists will also discuss how to ensure the Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander community is represented in the jobs of the future.
Featured Speakers:
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Sen. Patty Kim, Pennsylvania State Senate, District 15
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Pin Ni, President, Wanxiang America Corporation
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Manasseh Santos, Director, Hawaiian Trades Academy, Hawaiian Council
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Mai Sistla, Senior Climate Policy Advisor, Aspen Policy Academy, Aspen Digital
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(Moderator) Susan Jin Davis, Former Chief Sustainability Officer, Comcast & Former Social Impact Officer, Al Roker Entertainment
The Energy Landscape: State of Play, Challenges, and Solutions
America’s energy system faces both new and longstanding challenges, including rising energy demand driven by artificial intelligence and data center growth, modernizing permitting systems, strengthening transmission infrastructure, and navigating the clean energy transition. This panel will examine the barriers developers, regulators, and policymakers face in addressing these issues, as well as the progress being made at the local, state, and federal levels through legislation and other policy tools. Panelists will also discuss how these efforts can advance equitably and include AA & NH/PI communities.
Featured Speakers:
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Chris Duncan, Director of Federal Affairs, Exelon
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Yvonne McIntyre, Vice President, Federal Affairs, Pacific Gas & Electric Corporation (PG&E)
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Robin Rorick, Vice President of Midstream Policy, American Petroleum Institute (API)
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(Moderator) Christine Harada, Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
Building Next Generation Businesses
Businesses are driving major advancements in domestic manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and logistics, while also further incorporating sustainability and clean energy innovations. Policies and practices that strengthen American businesses create broad economic benefits while intersecting with issues that directly impact the AA & NH/PI community, including workforce development, healthcare, and household affordability. This panel will bring together industry leaders to examine the current business landscape, explore emerging and next-generation trends, and discuss opportunities to expand our community’s representation and engagement across industries.
Featured Speakers:
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Mayor Raj Salwan, City of Fremont, California
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Mario Salazar, Principal, Public Policy, Amazon
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Chiling Tong, President and CEO, National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE)
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(Moderator) Brian Cheung, Business and Data Correspondent, NBC News
Mobility and Transportation Access in AA & NH/PI Communities
Transportation systems across the country are rapidly evolving, creating new opportunities and challenges for communities nationwide. This panel will explore how advancement in autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, modern transportation systems, and sustainability initiatives are reshaping mobility and access. Experts will also discuss strategies to ensure AA & NH/PI communities are included in and benefit from these developments.
Featured Speakers:
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Sen. Ram Villivalam, Illinois State Senate, District 8
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Shailen Bhatt, Chief Operating Officer US and LATAM, AtkinsRéalis
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Matthew Davis, Vice President of Federal Policy, League of Conservation Voters (LCV)
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Richard Willder, Global Head of Autonomous Policy, Uber
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(Moderator) Joung Lee, Deputy Director-Chief Policy Officer, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
Thank You to Our Partners!
