David Phillips provides strategic leadership for energy and sustainability initiatives across the University of California, which includes ten campuses, five medical centers, and three national labs. David and his team help connect researchers, students and operations staff to integrate sustainable energy practices in support the University’s mission. One key focus is developing plans and taking action to reach systemwide carbon neutrality by 2025.
David provides executive oversight for UC’s participation in the Statewide Energy Partnership program, which has implemented more than 1,000 energy efficiency projects in collaboration with the campuses and utilities, resulting in cumulative energy savings totaling over $224M. David’s operational responsibilities also include managing the UC Wholesale Power Program, which supplies low-carbon electricity to all or part of seven campuses, and implementing the UC Biomethane Program, which has developed biogas projects to supplant 10 percent of UC’s natural gas use. He is a Founding Partner and Vice Chair for La Casa de la Universidad de California en Mexico, helping to guide UC’s activities and relationships in Mexico.
David was formerly Director of Utilities at UC Davis, where he managed their city-scale water, waste and energy systems. While at Davis, he led teams that developed a 63-acre behind-the-meter solar power plant, constructed an on-site waste treatment system to reduce campus landfill disposal by 25 percent, and implemented several massive wastewater recycling projects.
David has a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from UC Davis and is a California registered professional engineer.