John Newton

About John Newton

With over thirteen years of experience in the energy sector, I am the Director of Regulatory Affairs at Ava Community Energy (Ava), a community choice aggregator that provides clean and affordable electricity to over one million customers in Alameda County and San Joaquin County. As a policy advocacy expert and thought leader, I work collaboratively with Ava\'s Power Resources team and develop Ava positions on issues that affect the energy industry and the environment.I provide strategic regulatory advice to the public agency, conduct written and oral advocacy to support Ava\'s positions, and shape legislation and regulations at the state and federal level. I manage Ava\'s participation in the CPUC\'s Resource Adequacy, Integrated Resource Planning, and Renewable Portfolio Standard proceedings, as well as CAISO\'s stakeholder processes relating to market design and operations. I also manage regulatory compliance with state and federal regulatory agencies. My analytical skills, process improvement abilities, and legal acumen enable me to deliver effective and innovative solutions for Ava and its customers. My mission is to advance the transition to a clean, reliable, and resilient energy system that benefits the community and the planet.I am licensed to practice law in the State of California and before the Northern and Eastern U.S. District Courts in California.

Experience

1. Director of Regulatory Affairs

   Ava Community Energy

   Sep 2025 — Present · Oakland, CA, US

   Energy regulatory professional with 13+ years’ experience in policy development, procurement, and market design. Currently serving as Director of Regulatory Affairs at Ava Community Energy, leading CPUC, CEC, CARB, and CAISO regulatory strategy to advance reliable, affordable, and decarbonized community energy.

Education

• St. John's College

  Liberal Arts

  2004 — 2006

• St. John's College

  B.A., Liberal Arts

  2006 — 2008

• Indiana University Maurer School of Law

  J.D., Law

  2009 — 2010

• University of California, Hastings College of the Law (now UC Law San Francisco)

  J.D., Law, Tax Concentration

  2010 — 2012

Skills

• Courts
• Renewable Energy
• Ferc
• California Independent System Operator
• Process Improvement
• Project Management
• Legal Research
• Clean Energy Technologies
• Research
• Process Management
• Civil Litigation
• Electric Transmission
• Employment Law
• Energy Markets
• Trials
• Legal Writing
• Litigation
• Westlaw
• Regulated Industry
• Policy Advocacy
• Energy
• Government Advocacy
• Energy Policy
• Isos/Rtos
• Leadership
• Environmental Law
• Renewable Energy Policy
• Analysis
• Editing
• Natural Resources Policy
• Natural Gas
• Public Policy
• Administrative Law