About Us

Energy regulation is at a crossroads.

Rising concerns over affordability, safety, and greenhouse gas emissions are expanding the regulatory mandate, while growing competition between gas and electric systems for critical end-uses is challenging a regulatory paradigm that has stood for over a century. If these issues remain unaddressed, both customers and utilities face significant risks.

The Future of Heat Initiative is dedicated to supporting and empowering regulators, legislators, and energy advocates to shape a future for heat that is clean, safe, and affordable. Our team of experts in economics, policy, and technology produces cutting-edge research and develops actionable policy and regulatory recommendations.

By equipping decision-makers with the tools and knowledge they need, we help ensure that the transition to sustainable energy systems benefits all communities.

Bruce Biewald

(the energy nerd)

Board Chair

Bruce Biewald is the co-founder and Board Chair of the newly launched Future of Heat Initiative. With over 28 years of experience leading Synapse Energy Economics, Bruce established Synapse as a trusted leader in rigorous, data-driven analysis and expert testimony across a wide range of energy and environmental issues. During his tenure as CEO, he grew Synapse from a small team to a 50-person organization renowned for its integrity and commitment to public interest research.

An accomplished expert witness, Bruce has testified in over 100 cases—including utility regulatory proceedings across 25 states, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, and state and federal courts—as well as in Canada. Today, he serves as Synapse’s Board Chair and Chief Scientist, continuing to provide strategic guidance to mission-driven organizations tackling some of the most pressing energy and climate challenges of our time.

Bruce is the co-host of the Energy Nerd Show podcast, where he dives into the latest developments in the energy world. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Art and Design from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Michael Bloomberg

(the policy nerd)

Executive Director

Mike Bloomberg is the co-founder and Managing Partner at Groundwork Data, an energy advisory and technology firm dedicated to tackling regulatory and infrastructure challenges in the evolving energy sector. With deep expertise in urban technology, policy, and data-driven solutions, Mike brings a unique perspective to the Future of Heat Initiative as its Executive Director. His background includes serving as Chief of Staff to a mayor, advising on political transition teams, and working as the urban technology researcher at Cornell Tech.

Mike’s work is grounded in advanced data analysis and a practical approach to infrastructure maintenance and modernization, making him well-suited to address the complexities of energy regulation. A resident of Washington, DC, Mike is an avid pickleball player and enjoys reading depreciation studies in his spare time. He holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and an MBA from Cornell Tech.