At Convergent Energy and Power (Convergent), Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) practices are critical to the success of all renewable energy initiatives—such as energy storage (typically in the form of a battery) and solar photovoltaics (PV). EHS practices are not only about compliance—they are foundational to ensuring the well-being of teams and driving the sustainability of our projects.
Laura Behrer, Senior Director of EHS, plays a pivotal role in fostering Convergent’s safety culture while advancing our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.
We sat down with Laura to explore her extensive career in EHS leadership, her approach to ensuring safety and sustainability, and how her work helps shape the future of the renewable energy industry.
[The following Q&A has been edited for clarity and brevity.]
Q: Could you elaborate on the career journey that led you to?
My 17-year career (and counting!) spans EHS leadership in the construction and renewable energy industries. I earned my foundational safety knowledge working on large federal government and military construction projects as a general contractor. I’ve supported several monument builds here in Washington, D.C., including the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, and guided the Capitol Dome Restoration from preconstruction through to project execution. I’ve managed project EHS leadership for NASA, the Architect of the Capitol and U.S. House of Representatives, and the US Air Force, Army, and Navy. My work in construction includes more than 64 unique builds and >$3B in project value.
Q: What made you decide to transition to renewable energy and, ultimately, to Convergent?
After more than a decade in construction, I pivoted my career to the renewable energy industry, initially with a hydroelectric startup. I wanted to work in a sector where the end goals more clearly aligned with my values, which include prioritizing sustainability, contributing positively to reducing carbon emissions, and minimizing the consequences of global climate change. My experiences in renewables have spanned hydroelectric generation, utility-scale solar photovoltaics (PV) development and construction, and energy storage construction. Now, I’m excited to be part of the Convergent team and to lead safety for the development, construction, and long-term operations of our energy storage and solar PV systems.
Q: What are the most critical EHS considerations when developing renewable energy systems like energy storage and solar PV?
Regardless of technology type, all energy generation and energy storage carry some risk. Many critical EHS considerations for operational risks can be solved by improving design and planning in development. The location and siting of a system will inform potential risks to a given community. Flagging these risks early and developing detailed plans to isolate hazards or input barriers is key. Similarly, product design choices with upgraded engineered safety controls can eliminate or mitigate risks; it is part of a safety professional’s duty to advocate for these improved controls. These considerations are top of mind in every project Convergent undertakes, ensuring safety is prioritized at every stage of development.
Q: Can you describe the key Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG goals) Convergent is working toward, and how Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) plays a role in achieving those objectives?
I’m anticipating a great deal of interplay between EHS and ESG as Convergent scales and grows. Social sustainability is intrinsically linked to labor rights, worker well-being, and the health of the working environment. For environmental initiatives, like agrivoltaics and alternative vegetation management using cows or sheep, we see synergy and alignment between EHS and ESG work-scopes.
One of my near-term goals is to connect our ESG leadership to specific work occurring on-site during operations and, through that improved connectivity, to develop a clearer vision for how our ESG values translate to real change in the field.
Q: What are you most excited to contribute to Convergent’s EHS leadership?
I am most excited to continue expanding Convergent safety protocols, continue to promote a broader culture of safety behaviors, and to drive a positive change for a relatively newer sector of the renewables industry.
Q: What is your favorite part of your role as Senior Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety at Convergent?
I hold a great deal of optimism for what the future holds and how my role here will take shape. One key area of opportunity here at Convergent is that we employ a large number of young professionals with incredible drive, raw talent and a hunger to make an impact. I’m looking forward to the prospect of mentoring and coaching these folks and bridging safety perspectives across departments. There is something uniquely special about helping influence and shape the first years of a bright career.
In short, I’m looking forward to elevating our safety consciousness across the varied and diverse group of professionals we have here at Convergent.
Q: How does Convergent’s EHS approach support the clean energy transition, and what role do you see it playing in the future of renewable energy?
Safe construction and safe operations are essential for the reliable delivery of our systems and the energy that our communities rely on.
Convergent’s mission is to accelerate the clean energy transition in a way that is less expensive, more reliable and more sustainable. My mission—and our EHS team’s goal—is to execute on this work in such a way that everyone goes home to their families and loved ones safe and healthy. Everyone means:
- Our Convergent staff
- Our contractors, vendors, and integrators
- The surrounding communities where we work and operate
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