Carsey Policy Hour

The Carsey Policy Hour engages policymakers, public service professionals, and active citizens and organizations in the issues and policies that affect the people and places of New Hampshire. Each month features a dynamic expert speaker (or two), followed by an interactive audience discussion. The intent is to foster learning, problem-solving, and collaboration in service of New Hampshire's common good. Sessions are held on the second Wednesday of each month, from 8 – 9 am. We are on hiatus for the summer and will see you in the fall! Our 2025 fall dates are: September 10, October 8, November 12, and December 10.

June 11, 2025

8 – 9 AM

Online

Register Here

Decarbonization from the Ground Up: Climate Advocacy and Utility Partnerships

Eversource illustration showing houses with geothermal flow below ground

What happens when climate activists and gas utility leaders find common ground? In Massachusetts, the result has been the first-in-the-nation networked geothermal heating and cooling system – an innovative model for decarbonization that’s now being considered by utilities and communities across the country. Zeyneb Magavi, Executive Director of HEET, and Liam Needham, Director of Customer Thermal Solutions at Eversource Energy, will share how their unlikely coalition came together, what it took to earn trust and build the Framingham pilot project, how to engage customers and community leaders, and how this replicable model offers a path toward equitable clean energy transitions nationwide. This Carsey Policy Hour is offered jointly with the New England Municipal Sustainability (NEMS) Network and the UNH Sustainability Institute.

Zeyneb Magavi is Executive Director of HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team), where she designed and helped to launch the GasToGeo initiative to drive rapid, efficient, and equitable decarbonization of heating and cooling through deployment of ambient geothermal networks. Today GasToGeo demonstration projects are moving forward across the country, and Zeyneb has convened an independent research team to study these first transitions. Zeyneb studied physics, global health, and sustainability and has worked at BBN Technologies, Harvard, MIT, and multiple startups. She is committed to creating and driving forward compassionate, multi-disciplinary, and innovative solutions to the urgent challenge of climate change.

Liam Needham is the Director of Customer Thermal Solutions within Eversource’s gas business unit. He is responsible for marketing, customer connections, and major account management across Eversource’s gas business, which includes traditional and clean technology offerings. He plays a lead role in policy efforts regarding the future of natural gas and other strategic initiatives that help Eversource provide safe, reliable, cost-effective clean energy solutions to meet its customers’ needs. Liam’s team has successfully brought a first-in-the-nation Networked Geothermal Pilot to Framingham, Massachusetts, and is working on the next phase of making this technology an accessible option for customers. 

Liam holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing from Babson College. Before joining Eversource, Liam held various leadership roles at NiSource within the Sales and Marketing organization. 

Additional Sessions

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Details about our upcoming events are coming soon!

thumbnail of June 2025 Carsey Policy Hour discuss featuring Zeyneb Magavi and Liam Needham

Decarbonization from the Ground Up: Climate Advocacy and Utility Partnerships

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

View the highlights and access the recording and slide presentations of our June 2025 event. Learn More

YouTube thumbnail image of May 2025 Carsey Policy hour video with Brian Gottlob and Tim Egan

Tariffs and Tourism: What’s Next in New Hampshire’s Trade with Canada?

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

View the highlights and access the recording and slide presentations of our May 2025 event. Learn More

thumbnail of Carsey Policy Hour YouTube video featuring Stephen Bird

Next Steps in U.S. and State Energy Portfolios

Wednesday, April 09, 2025

View the highlights and access the recording and slide presentation of our April 2025 event. Learn More

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Our Partners

coffee and conversations, bureau of education

The State of New Hampshire provides a unique program of continuing professional development through the Bureau of Education and Training (BET). The Bureau offers a variety of training programs to all public employees of New Hampshire — including the nationally accredited Certified Public Manager® program, a springboard to the Carsey School's 12-month Executive Master of Public Administration (MPA) program.

The New Hampshire Association of Counties (NHAC) represents the interests of county government in New Hampshire.This state-wide association includes the 30 elected county commissioners as well as all elected county officials and the professionals and staff who run county government in each of the ten counties.

The New Hampshire Municipal Association, Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan membership association established in 1941. It is a member-founded, member-funded, and member-governed association that works to strengthen New Hampshire cities and towns and enhance their ability to serve the public by promoting effective municipal government through education, training, advocacy and legal services.

The New England Municipal Sustainability (NEMS) Network is a consortium of New England cities and towns that collaborate to build more sustainable communities. Their vision is to create a sustainable New England by building strong connections among municipal sustainability professionals throughout the region, allowing members to accomplish more than would be possible alone. NEMS is a recognized member of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) and the UNH Sustainability Institute serves as the backbone organization for the NEMS Network.

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