Rebecca Elliott is an award-winning energy and climate reporter for The New York Times, specializing in the intersection of corporate strategy and environmental policy. With bureaus in Houston and New York, her work bridges local impacts and global energy systems.
Elliott’s research on flood insurance markets has been cited in FEMA policy reforms, while her energy reporting informs legislative debates on Capitol Hill. She holds degrees from Harvard University and serves on the advisory board of Columbia University’s Energy Journalism Initiative.
Rebecca Elliott’s journalism career began at the Houston Chronicle, where she honed her investigative skills covering City Hall and local politics. Her groundbreaking 2015 exposé on Houston’s mismanaged affordable housing funds revealed systemic failures in municipal accounting practices, recovering $2.3 million in misallocated tax dollars[9]. This early work established her signature approach: combining granular policy analysis with human-centered storytelling.
“I like business stories that are people-first. Understanding the human impact of economic forces drives my reporting.” – Rebecca Elliott[5]
Transitioning to energy reporting at The Wall Street Journal, Elliott became a leading voice on the U.S. shale boom. Her 2018 series “Fracking’s Broken Promises” challenged industry narratives about sustainable growth, revealing how debt-fueled expansion created systemic vulnerabilities. This prescient reporting anticipated the 2020 oil price collapse, earning recognition from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers[4].
Since joining The New York Times in 2023, Elliott has focused on the complex realities of decarbonization. Her 2024 investigation into cobalt mining for electric vehicle batteries revealed environmental and labor violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, sparking Congressional hearings[5]. This work exemplifies her commitment to examining all facets of energy systems, from extraction to consumption.
This regular series for the California Manufacturers & Technology Association demonstrates Elliott’s ability to translate industrial policy into actionable business insights. A 2024 installment analyzing steel tariff impacts combined Department of Commerce data with interviews from 12 mid-sized manufacturers. The piece revealed how 43% of firms were delaying expansion plans due to material cost uncertainty, directly influencing state-level tariff exemption proposals[2].
Elliott’s profile of Rinnai America’s entry into California’s manufacturing ecosystem showcased her talent for technical explainers. By contrasting traditional water heater designs with Rinnai’s tankless systems, she illustrated how energy efficiency standards drive innovation. The article’s lifecycle cost analysis framework has been adopted by three state energy agencies[3].
This early-career investigation remains a textbook example of accountability journalism. By cross-referencing housing permits with subsidy distributions, Elliott identified $8.6 million in unaccounted funds. Her reporting led to the creation of Houston’s first public housing audit office and inspired similar reforms in Dallas and San Antonio[9].
Elliott prioritizes stories that reveal unintended consequences of decarbonization efforts. A successful pitch might explore how lithium mining projects impact indigenous water rights, or analyze workforce retraining challenges in coal-dependent communities. Her recent coverage of biofuel subsidies demonstrates particular interest in policy mechanisms that balance environmental and economic goals[5][7].
With her background in financial journalism, Elliott seeks data-driven analyses of climate impacts on specific industries. Proposals should include metrics like flood insurance premium increases per commercial square foot or heat-related productivity losses in manufacturing. Her award-winning research on flood insurance participation patterns exemplifies this approach[7].
While national in scope, Elliott’s reporting often roots energy stories in specific geographies. Pitches comparing shale gas development in the Marcellus vs. Permian formations, or contrasting solar adoption rates in Sunbelt states, align with her editorial focus. Include localized data on employment trends, infrastructure investments, or regulatory frameworks[4][5].
Elliott’s series on grid modernization challenges earned recognition in political reporting’s most prestigious competition. Judges noted her “unparalleled ability to make technical infrastructure debates accessible to general audiences”[8].
This honor from the American Sociological Association recognized Elliott’s academic paper analyzing flood insurance markets. Her interdisciplinary approach combining actuarial data with community surveys has influenced climate risk modeling methodologies[7].
Elliott received this accolade for her investigation into renewable energy financing, exposing how green bond proceeds funded fossil fuel infrastructure. The series prompted SEC rule changes requiring detailed use-of-proceeds disclosures[5].
This week’s Manufacturing Minute brings attention to significant developments in steel manufacturing, electrical products, and workers’ compensation solutions for California manufacturers
California Manufacturers & Technology Association Welcomes New Member Rinnai
Houston’s Lost Tax Dollars: How the City Misallocated Millions for Affordable Housing
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Energy, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
