Chris Castro

Recognized as part of the "Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Tax Credit Tiger Team" that provided technical guidance to IRS and U.S. Treasury department on the creation of new and expanded clean energy tax credits. Learn more at the DOE Energy Savings Hub at https://energy.gov/SAVE.

"Recognized for extraordinary dedication to implementing the IRA clean energy tax credits. The team contributed valuable technical expertise to the Department of Treasury on 20 new or expanded tax credits which… Show more

Recognized as part of the "Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Tax Credit Tiger Team" that provided technical guidance to IRS and U.S. Treasury department on the creation of new and expanded clean energy tax credits. Learn more at the DOE Energy Savings Hub at https://energy.gov/SAVE.

"Recognized for extraordinary dedication to implementing the IRA clean energy tax credits. The team contributed valuable technical expertise to the Department of Treasury on 20 new or expanded tax credits which are leading to a significant acceleration of investments in clean energy technologies to support US energy security, consumer savings, and emissions reduction. The team is recognized for extraordinary technical efforts when collaborating with interagency colleagues on the programs DOE is administering on behalf of the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service. Congress passed the historic legislation in the Inflation Reduction Act. Incredible Tax Credits for 10 plus years across the board. None of that matters if we don’t have colleagues who are working on the underlying regulations that allows these tax credits to be used by businesses, by non-profits, by folks across our country. That technical expertise that know these sectors inside and out largely retain at the Department of Energy. What our Office of Policy working across the interagency have done is leverage that expertise to make sure that Treasury and the IRS update their underlying regulations. They are informed by what’s actually going out there in the real work and by the phenomenal expertise that we have. This is a big, big deal. This is making these tax credits that much more impactful. That much more useful. That much more sustainable going forward." - David Turk, Deputy Secretary of Energy Show less

The award is provided by UNC Institute for the Environment and the Ackerman Center for Excellence in Sustainability (ACES) at the Kenan-Flagler School of Business.

https://ie.unc.edu/clean-tech-corner/cleantech/

USGBC Florida LEEDership awards ceremony in Orlando recognized 4 local leaders for statewide awards, including myself as the "Green Cape Award"

I’m excited to announce that I will be joining Congressman Darren Soto of Florida's 9th congressional district as his guest for President Joe Biden’s the 2023 State of the Union address!

2022 marked arguably the most productive session in Congress in the last 50 years, and among the litany of progress, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (#BIL), the #CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act (#IRA) contributed to the most historic investment in climate and clean energy made by… Show more

I’m excited to announce that I will be joining Congressman Darren Soto of Florida's 9th congressional district as his guest for President Joe Biden’s the 2023 State of the Union address!

2022 marked arguably the most productive session in Congress in the last 50 years, and among the litany of progress, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (#BIL), the #CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act (#IRA) contributed to the most historic investment in climate and clean energy made by any Country in the World…over $500 BILLION in resources!

With my new role as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the State and Community Energy Programs (#SCEP), I’m now helping to design and deploy over $16 Billion of these resources that will support States, Tribes, Cities and Counties, community serving institutions, and down to the residents. SCEP is becoming America’s front door to help navigate through these resources and support them through the journey towards a clean energy future.

As Congressman Soto’s guest, I will be helping to elevate the importance of these bills for Central Floridians and underscore the resources available, like tax credits and home energy rebates, to American households to lower energy cost, improve energy resilience and security, and transition away from fossil fuels to 100% clean energy.

Thank you Congressman Darren Soto for this incredible honor and I look forward to sharing the journey throughout the day! Show less

In July 2022, I was honored as a Biden-Harris Administration appointee and joined the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to work with U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm to pursue President Biden’s ambitious clean energy goals and transition to a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.

The Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) works under the Undersecretary of Infrastructure and coordinates with states, tribal nations, city and county governments, utilities, and… Show more

In July 2022, I was honored as a Biden-Harris Administration appointee and joined the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to work with U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm to pursue President Biden’s ambitious clean energy goals and transition to a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.

The Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) works under the Undersecretary of Infrastructure and coordinates with states, tribal nations, city and county governments, utilities, and communities in the planning, design, and deployment of clean energy and decarbonization solutions.

https://www.energy.gov/ Show less

Selected for a series of stories about Clean Energy Champions—real people who are taking action to support or join the transition to a clean energy economy. Honored to be spotlighted by US DOE for my efforts over the last 15 years.

https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/meet-clean-energy-champion-chris-castro

The annual Leaders in Energy “Four Generations of Leaders in Clean Energy and Sustainable Solutions” Awards recognizes exemplary leaders in the four generations of the workplace, e.g., Millennial, Gen X, Baby Boomer, and World War II/Traditionalist, who are accelerating clean energy and sustainable solutions through transformational leadership and change.

https://leadersinenergy.org/four-generations-hall-of-fame/

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives passed this proclamation to recognize my efforts for “Outstanding Environmental Leadership as a Green Difference Maker” for my sustainability and environmental work over the last 15 years.

Speaker of the House, Ronald Mariano, and State Representation F. Jay Barrows signed the proclamation and sent it to my office in June 2021.

“The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced 10 inspiring individuals, companies, organizations and projects have been named 2020 Leadership Award recipients. The honorees are at the forefront of green building and working to advance healthy, resilient and equitable buildings and communities.”

https://www.usgbc.org/articles/us-green-building-council-announces-2020-leadership-award-recipients

PACENation is thrilled to announce the PACESetter Awards to recognize and honor exceptional leadership in the PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) community. I was awarded an inaugural PACENation Award for my efforts in advancing PACE in Orlando and supporting local governments across the U.S. to integrate PACE into their clean energy programs.

Recognized by the Volo Foundation for my "ongoing commitment to environmental efforts in the City of Orlando and [my] leadership in creating a sustainable future."

Sigma Nu Tau is the official National Honors Society for Entrepreneurship. I was honored to be recognized by Rollins College in their Sigma Nu Tau chapter as an "Honorary Member" due to my efforts as a social entrepreneur in founding IDEAS For Us, Fleet Farming, Citizen Energy, and other organizations working to advance a more sustainable future.

Our Mission:
To promote, recognize, and reward academic excellence in entrepreneurship and to encourage and recognize the practice of… Show more

Sigma Nu Tau is the official National Honors Society for Entrepreneurship. I was honored to be recognized by Rollins College in their Sigma Nu Tau chapter as an "Honorary Member" due to my efforts as a social entrepreneur in founding IDEAS For Us, Fleet Farming, Citizen Energy, and other organizations working to advance a more sustainable future.

Our Mission:
To promote, recognize, and reward academic excellence in entrepreneurship and to encourage and recognize the practice of principled entrepreneurship. Show less

Every year since 1994, Governing has honored individual state and local government officials for outstanding accomplishment by naming them Public Officials of the Year. Elected, appointed and career officials from any branch of state or local government are eligible. Our readers are invited to nominate individuals who have had a notable positive impact on their department or agency, community or state.

Governing annually receives several hundred nominations from individuals in the public… Show more

Every year since 1994, Governing has honored individual state and local government officials for outstanding accomplishment by naming them Public Officials of the Year. Elected, appointed and career officials from any branch of state or local government are eligible. Our readers are invited to nominate individuals who have had a notable positive impact on their department or agency, community or state.

Governing annually receives several hundred nominations from individuals in the public and private sectors. In addition, Governing staff consults experts and scholars in the field, and also nominates outstanding individuals they encounter in the course of their work. Nominations are evaluated by a selection committee, which, after painstaking research, chooses the winners.

http://www.governing.com/poy/gov-chris-castro.html Show less

“The Climate Trailblazers reflect the global nature of the Summit, which aims to bring together the best in international climate change activity. Of the 22 Climate Trailblazers, six live in North America, three in Central or South America, two in Europe, four in Africa, three in Asia and four in Australia or Oceania. Besides bringing their unique international experience to the Summit in September, the Climate Trailblazers will spread awareness of the Summit’s ambitious goals within their own… Show more

“The Climate Trailblazers reflect the global nature of the Summit, which aims to bring together the best in international climate change activity. Of the 22 Climate Trailblazers, six live in North America, three in Central or South America, two in Europe, four in Africa, three in Asia and four in Australia or Oceania. Besides bringing their unique international experience to the Summit in September, the Climate Trailblazers will spread awareness of the Summit’s ambitious goals within their own climate arenas in the lead up to the event. They will humanize the event as they will show through their actions that everyday people can do extraordinary things.” #GCAS2018

https://globalclimateactionsummit.org/trailblazers/ Show less

2018 Men of the Year by Orlando Family Magazine

There are a lot more ways to measure a man’s success than by his salary and the material items he possesses. The spirit of giving, caring for others and making a difference are traits that are synonymous with Orlando Family Magazine’s Men of the Year. When it comes to these 15 fine gentlemen, their actions speak louder than their words ever could and they all embrace a responsibility to give others what they couldn’t otherwise… Show more

2018 Men of the Year by Orlando Family Magazine

There are a lot more ways to measure a man’s success than by his salary and the material items he possesses. The spirit of giving, caring for others and making a difference are traits that are synonymous with Orlando Family Magazine’s Men of the Year. When it comes to these 15 fine gentlemen, their actions speak louder than their words ever could and they all embrace a responsibility to give others what they couldn’t otherwise have.

http://www.orlandofamilymagazine.com/current-issue/men-of-the-year-2018/ Show less

2017 Osprey Award from the Sierra Club Florida.

"This award is presented for an extraordinary effort by a governmental staff person to promote or effect changes in policy or practice to protect or preserve Florida's environment."

I also shared this honor and award with my good friend and climate leader, South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard.

Born one day in 2009, the wildly popular, absurdly simple, neuroscience-based initiative of marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, has shared blue marbles around the world with millions of people in celebration of our beautiful, fragile, planet.

Rock stars, Presidents, kids, scientists, artists, explorers, eco-celebrities, teachers, business leaders...even the Dalai Lama and the Pope have received blue marble awards and gotten their Blue Mind… Show more

Born one day in 2009, the wildly popular, absurdly simple, neuroscience-based initiative of marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, has shared blue marbles around the world with millions of people in celebration of our beautiful, fragile, planet.

Rock stars, Presidents, kids, scientists, artists, explorers, eco-celebrities, teachers, business leaders...even the Dalai Lama and the Pope have received blue marble awards and gotten their Blue Mind on!

http://www.bluecommunity.info/topics/view/5507248b0cf2cf51fd0ea9f3/ Show less

Recognized by Food Tank as one of 20 emerging and established changemakers under 40 years old who are already shaping the future of our global and local food systems.

https://foodtank.com/news/2017/05/20-food-leaders-40/

University of Central Florida (UCF) School of Public Administration, the UCF College of Health and Public Affairs, and the Central Florida Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration recognized me with the "2017 Young Public Service Professional Award" for my work as the Director of Sustainability with the City of Orlando.

https://today.ucf.edu/ucf-honor-orlando-master-sgt-debra-clayton-public-service-leaders/

Clayton Louis Ferrara and Chris Castro of IDEAS For Us. This 2-for-1 entry features two guys who are out to save the planet working from their own backyard — and shatter the stereotype of millennials as slackers while doing so. Using a “local solutions for global impact” model, IDEAS for Us has helped spawn the Fleet Farming urban-gardening program and a micro-grant program to foster other ideas. Their guiding principle: Don’t whine… Show more

Clayton Louis Ferrara and Chris Castro of IDEAS For Us. This 2-for-1 entry features two guys who are out to save the planet working from their own backyard — and shatter the stereotype of millennials as slackers while doing so. Using a “local solutions for global impact” model, IDEAS for Us has helped spawn the Fleet Farming urban-gardening program and a micro-grant program to foster other ideas. Their guiding principle: Don’t whine. Act.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-10-people-make-orlando-great-scott-maxwell-20170420-story.html Show less

Recognized as the "Guru of Green" by the Orlando Business Journal for my work in the City of Orlando, IDEAS For Us, Fleet Farming, the Hive Orlando, Florida Green Chamber of Commerce, USGBC-Florida, Florida Renewable Energy Association, Global Shapers Orlando and more.

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/04/20/the-guru-of-green-chris-castro-spearheads-orlando.html

Grist 50 is a group of "the Top 50 most exceptional people around the Globe working toward a sustainable planet" recognized by Grist. I was honored to be nominated by Leilani Munter, Eco-advocate and NASCAR driver.

http://grist.org/grist-50/profile/chris-castro/

Received the "Outstanding Community Leader of the Year" by USGBC-FL at the 2017 Central Florida LEEDership Awards Dinner.

Orlando Weekly recognizes the Top 14 People We Love in Orlando!

http://m.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/fourteen-people-making-orlando-a-better-place/Content?oid=2561339&showFullText=true#

For the 2016 National Philanthropy Day, the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Central Florida (AFP-CF) recognized me with an "Emerging Leader in Philanthropy" award for my efforts with IDEAS For Us, Fleet Farming, the Hive Orlando, USGBC-FL, Florida Renewable Energy Association (FREA), Global Shapers Orlando, Florida Green Chamber of Commerce (FGCC), and other nonprofit groups I have helped to start and play an active role in over the last 10 years.

"These emerging leaders, all of them twentysomethings, are tackling some of the toughest sustainability and energy challenges around the U.S., from inside big companies, at the helm of startups, and in the nonprofit or government sector."

https://www.greenbiz.com/article/2016-greenbiz-30-under-30

The new 30 under 30 awards program recognizes outstanding young alumni who reach for the stars in their professional and personal lives. This fall, the UCF community will gather to celebrate the achievements of these individuals in the areas of business, research, leadership, arts, community, education and philanthropy.

https://today.ucf.edu/ucf-alumni-honors-30-under-30/

Selected as a White House 'Champion of Change' for the "Youth Greening Schools" category, through our efforts with IDEAS.

Won the state-wide " 2010-2011 Conservation Org of the Year" for IDEAS.

Winner of the Green Leaf Award for organizing IDEAS efforts in coastal and aquatic clean-up campaigns.

IDEAS wins the 2009-2010 Best Campaign of the Year award for the Upcycling T-tote initiative.

Was selected for the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU) and was selected again in 2011, 2012, and 2014.