Ryan Waddington, Biofuels, Michigan / Colorado

Ryan Waddington is CEO at Cowboy Clean Fuels. He works in Denver, Colorado, but lives in Michigan. He’s been in the industry for over 20 years.

Why is clean energy important to you? Transitioning to clean energy solutions is a critical and significant step on the path to climate stability. If we don't move to a clean energy economy, we will see all the worst impacts of climate change.

What’s your proudest accomplishment in clean energy? Commercializing and scaling the Cowboy Clean Fuels technology is the most important work I've ever done and will allow me to leave the world a better place for my kids.

What did you do before entering clean energy? Environmental engineer.

How did you first get introduced to clean energy? MBA internship working on a solar PV project.

How does clean energy impact your community? I live in Michigan currently, but work for Cowboy in Denver. Michigan and Colorado are both making huge investments in clean energy, clean transportation and the start-ups creating better solutions for both. These efforts are ensuring economic viability for decades to come.

What is something you wish more people knew about your job? There are ways to move to carbon-negative, renewable natural gas, to ensure a reliable and clean power grid.

Why should Congress invest in clean energy jobs, not fossil fuel jobs? Clean energy is a growth industry that the U.S. can develop a global leadership position in. We can develop and build technologies and solutions to export to the world, like Michigan's auto industry in the post-WWII years. American leadership will create tens of thousands of new good-paying jobs every year. Congress can accelerate this needed transition with smart investments in job training and start-up development, while also supporting fossil fuel workers transitioning to new work as their jobs phase out.