Meet the Forum Team: Bella Garcia

What was your academic or professional journey before you came to Yale? 

Before I came to Yale, my academic background came primarily from high school, where I gained a general knowledge across all subjects. My professional background was also limited, but I participated in programs that helped create the foundation of my professional career. Some of the programs were Atlas Scholars, a 3-year professional development program, and the Bezos Scholars Program, which focused on creating and implementing community change projects. I’m grateful for all the opportunities I had through these programs, but I would say that both my academic and professional journey truly took off after I came to Yale. 

What is your specific program or area of research here at Yale? 

I am majoring in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Urban Environments and pursuing a certificate in Energy Studies. I came to Yale with interests in both sustainable urban planning and renewable energy, and I spent my first two years stuck between the two fields. I continued to explore the fields of urban environments and energy through courses and attending speaker lectures, but all my summer experiences were energy-related, which naturally gave me more exposure and fueled my interest in the topic. Each time I had a new experience through internships or study abroad, I was only drawn more to the industry. Over time, those experiences solidified my decision to focus on the broad and complex energy industry as the path I want to pursue.  

What first drew you to join the Forum? 

I was introduced to the Center for Business and the Environment through experiences in the broader environmental world at Yale, my academic work, and my involvement in extracurriculars, especially during my time as Co-President of the Yale Student Environmental Coalition. I knew I wanted to get involved in energy-focused initiatives before graduating, and my experience with my internship this past summer shaped the specific way I would get involved. During my internship, I worked on several projects that involved writing memos and a report for internal and external use. This was my first real exposure to writing on the energy industry outside of an academic context. It felt very rewarding to take dense and technical material and turn it into something useful for others, and I hope to continue developing that skill at the Forum.  

Was there a specific moment or experience that first sparked your interest in clean energy? 

​​​I wouldn’t say I had a single moment that sparked my interest in clean energy, but I did have an experience that first drew me to the energy industry more broadly. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, the energy capital of the world, so I was exposed to energy at a younger age than most people. In 2021, Winter Storm Uri hit Texas and caused widespread grid failures, and my family and I were left without power for two weeks. At first, I was excited to see snow in Houston, but then I found myself asking: “How could such a dense urban city, not to mention the 4th largest city in the U.S., be left without power for so long?” I think that experience sparked my interest in energy, and since I grew up with climate change as a growing and intensifying issue, I combined my interest in energy systems with the context of the world and it led me to clean energy.  

How has your perspective on the energy transition evolved since you first got into this field? 

My perspective has evolved to look at the big picture of clean energy beyond just the development of renewable energy projects. I’ve learned more about the permitting and regulatory impacts on clean energy, the rising tension between increased generation and limited transmission capacity, the importance of engaging with local communities throughout the process, and more. I would say my perspective on the energy transition has become more nuanced than before, and now I see the energy transition as not just a technical challenge, but also as a social, political, and economic one.  

What are your career aspirations after Yale? What kind of impact do you hope to make in the clean energy space? 

After Yale, I plan to stay in the energy industry. I am especially interested in both clean energy and transmission, with a particular focus on the power grid. So far, my experiences have been focused on development and planning, which I find exciting and impactful, but I am also open to exploring other areas within the field. In terms of impact, I hope to play a role in advancing the clean energy transition by helping to expand renewable generation and strengthen the transmission systems that will make it possible. Ultimately, I want my career to contribute to building more resilient and sustainable energy systems.