FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2011
CONTACT: Snake River Alliance
Liz Woodruff, Executive Director
208-344-9161 (w); 208-871-4597 (c)

Snake River Alliance Names New Executive Director

Boise, ID: After a robust national search and rigorous interview process, the Snake River Alliance Board of Directors has hired a new Executive Director. Liz Woodruff, who currently serves as the organization’s Energy Policy Analyst, will begin in her new capacity on Monday, Jan. 10.

“Our search for a new executive director ultimately brought us right back to the talent we already have at the Alliance,” said Lou Landry, president of the Snake River Alliance Board. “In her nearly three years working for the organization, Liz has shown exceptional leadership abilities, administrative strengths, a deep understanding of the issues, and a passion and commitment to the mission of the organization and Idaho’s environment and energy future.”

As one of the letters of recommendation associated with Liz’s application explained, “At a personal level, she connects with people on both ends of the political spectrum, making her a very effective communicator. Her history with the SRA and her knowledge of the subject matter, combined with all her talents, makes her the logical choice. There really cannot be a better person suited for this position.”

Woodruff is a fourth-generation Idahoan who was born and raised in Boise and graduated from Boise High School in 1996. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Whitman College and a Master’s degree from Rutgers University before returning to Idaho in 2005 to raise her two young children. She has worked in public policy in Idaho since 2008, when she served as a legislative assistant during the 2008 legislative session. Her work at the Alliance included extensive advocacy of clean energy policy with utilities, regulators, cities, counties, and the Legislature. She also successfully organized opposition to the recently defunct Alternate Energy Holdings Inc., nuclear reactor and the proposed Areva uranium enrichment factory in eastern Idaho.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to work in a leadership capacity for the Snake River Alliance—an organization with over 30 years of history protecting Idaho’s natural resources and quality of life.” Woodruff said. “We are at a critical juncture in this state and the nation, where we have the opportunity to promote policies that advance renewable energy and energy efficiency to create jobs and energy security in Idaho. The Alliance and its members are at the forefront of this effort, and I am excited to continue to evolve this important work.”

In addition to serving as Idaho’s nuclear watchdog, over the last several years the Alliance has developed a substantial clean energy program. Current issues being addressed by the organization include the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency with local and state government entities and utilities; a campaign to stop the licensing of the proposed Areva uranium enrichment factory and the legacy of radioactive waste it would leave above the Snake River aquifer; monitoring state action regarding the importation of irradiated spent fuel into Idaho; and continuing efforts to clean-up radioactive waste at INL.

The Snake River Alliance works for responsible solutions to nuclear waste and a nuclear-free future. It seeks to strengthen Idaho’s economy and communities through the implementation of renewable energy resources in Idaho and the promotion of energy efficiency and conservation.