Net-Zero Government
Initiative Seminar
Building a Safe, Carbon-Free, Resilient, People-Centered Energy Future
On Monday, September 23, Arizona State University and USAID collaborated with the U.S. Embassy in Cairo through a hybrid Center of Excellence for Energy-hosted seminar. U.S. renewable energy expert and board leader Angelina Galiteva joined virtually to address over 60 attendees, who participated both online and in person at Ain Shams University in Egypt.
Galiteva is the CEO of California’s Statewide Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), an initiative focused on accelerating the decarbonization of the fourth-largest economy and serves as a model of a highly successful hydrogen ecosystem. She is the first female chairman of the California Independent Systems Operator Board of Governors, recently reappointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom to a fifth term. Her expertise encompasses new energy technology development and implementation, optimizing power system resiliency and efficiency, and sustainability and environmental policy programs for public and private entities. As a U.S. State Department representative, she addresses renewable energy and grid reliability globally and her wealth of expertise is invaluable in the conversation about sustainable energy futures.
Drawing from her role in moving California toward a “net-zero” reality, she shared insights on renewable advancements by the state, as well as globally, including Denmark’s 140% wind energy in 2015 and California’s achievement of 100% renewable energy in May 2022. She outlined California’s ambitious renewable energy targets of 60% by 2030 and 100% by 2045, alongside greenhouse gas reduction goals. The presentation also highlighted the state’s leadership in adopting electric vehicles, or EVs, with a goal of 5 million EVs by 2030 and ending the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035.
Key topics discussed included the importance of decarbonization and electrification, federal support for hydrogen energy, and ARCHES’s vision to establish a clean hydrogen market prioritizing environmental justice and community engagement. Finally, Galiteva underscored the importance of collaboration across public and private sectors to achieve a carbon-free energy future, with a focus on resilience, reliability, and community benefits.
“The talk was highly engaging and the figures achieved by California are very impressive. It’s inspiring to us here in Egypt as we work toward our energy transition,” stated Ain Shams Student Omar Abdo who attended the seminar in person.
The seminar was part of the U.S. Net-Zero Government Initiative, launched in 2022 to encourage governments worldwide to commit to net-zero emissions in their operations by 2050. Focusing on national governments, the program recognizes their significant role as major stakeholders in real estate, vehicle fleets, electricity consumption, and procurement of goods and services.
For more information on other center activities, visit the Center of Excellence for Energy.

Angelina Galiteva
Member of California ISO Board of Governors; CEO of California’s Statewide Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems
Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, reappointed Angelina Galiteva on February 21, 2023, to a fifth term on the California Independent System Operator (ISO) Board of Governors, extending through December 31, 2025. Her reappointment was confirmed by the State Senate on September 1, 2023.
Ms. Galiteva is currently CEO of California’s Statewide Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), an initiative focused on accelerating the decarbonization of the fourth largest economy and creating a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem. Her industry experience includes serving as Executive Director of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and head of its Green LA, Environmental Affairs and New Product Development Organization. While at the municipal utility, she was responsible for strategic positioning and the environmental compliance departments. Her career includes working with the California ISO and Power Exchange on their initial launches and she also worked as a power analyst for the New York Power Authority.
Ms. Galiteva graduated from Pace University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree in 1993 and a LL.M. degree in 1994 in Environmental and Energy Law. She specialized in electric utility strategic policy analysis and decision-making focusing on pending industry transition and deregulation issues. Ms. Galiteva works to advance the deployment of renewable energy and distributed energy technologies worldwide. She also serves as Chairperson of the World Council for Renewable Energy, where she is one of the spokespersons, among other duties.