About us
THE RAIL-GRID COLLABORATIVE (RGC) is a non-profit organization founded to promote and enable technical collaboration, joint action, research and mutual goal setting to modernize both rail and electric transmission, pillars of a competitive U.S. economy.
We support (1) an efficient, safe, and high-performing North America freight and passenger rail operations and related supply chains; and (2) an integrated, resilient, secure and economical electric transmission grid. RGC Looks to its members and an array of industry participants for its policy direction and financial support.
Founded in 2025, RGC is headqurtered in Washington DC. RGC's members come together at the intersection of these two network industries that operate in multiple states and provinces across the US and Canada. RGC sponsors and activists began their work in the now-defunct Rail Electrification Coalition 2019-2024.
Approach To Change
RGC targets the respective and shared need for GROWTH and SUSTAINABILITY of North America's two most critical infrastructure networks. RGC believes that industrial policy, technology change and greater operational flexibility and profitability will be driven by enhanced collaboration, joint action and partnerships between and within these industry networks and with policymakers at all levels of government, including bi-national interactions. The convergent transportation and electricity industries will constitute a new industrial ecosystem. RGC believes that it should facilitate commercial transactions where possible if its members request, or do not object to, its involvement.
Our Mission
The RGC is dedicated to helping railroads and electric power industry participants develop a fair knowledge base, technology and legal tools, and appropriate strategies that produce positive changes in public policy, public support, and a constructive business environment.. While electric system owners, operators, investors and planners are readying the system for a monumental surge in energy demand and deployment of new or updated infrastructure, freight and passenger transport operators and stakeholders are also exploring expansion and upgrade of systems, fleets, fuels, including sustained market share, commercial advantage, and opportunities for growth and improved asset utilization. THESE DEVELOPMENTS SUGGEST THAT THE PERIOD 2025-2045 WILL WITNESS HISTORIC TRANSFORMATIONS IN THESE INDUSTRIES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO ONE ANOTHER. RGC will help guide and interpret those developments.
Current leadership
James (Jim) Hoecker, J.D., Ph.D
Founder and RGC Counsel. Former Commissioner and Chair, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Veteran energy attorney (Husch Blackwell, LLP,; & Hoecker Energy Law & Policy); Founder & Executive Director, WIRES (nonprofit electric transmission advocacy) and Rail Electrification Coalition, with NEMA.
Karin Starmy J.D.
Former General Counsel, North Carolina Railroad; former chief legal officer VELCO; Founder, Power & Rail LLC.
Nicolas Little PE
Veteran railroad expert and educator. Ret. Dir. Michigan State University Center for Railway Research and Education, MSU College of Business -- Supply Chain & Executive Development; British Railway
Jay Caspary PE
Electric tansmission and power operatioons and market expert; Principal, TransGrid Advisors, LLC and
Jay is the Principal a. , Regional and interregional planning, tariff services director, Southwest Power Pool; Senior Policy Advisor, US Dept. of Energy (Office of Electricity and Grid Deployment Office)
Will Maus
Consultant and veteran railroad; Analyst and educator. Experience includes Progressive Railroading, OnTrackNorth America
Elwood (Elgie) Holstein
Former Chief of Staff to Secretary Pena US Dept. of Energy; former Senior Legislative Counsel, US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Environmental Defense Fund
Brian Yanity, PE
Veteran Electrical Engineer, Vice President-South of Rail Pasenger Association of California and Nevada
Tracy Warren
Principal Advisor, Cirrus Communications; Senior communications strategist; NRECA; and ACORE's Macrogrid Initiative
