Neal Martin, Senior Director of Government Relations at ML Strategies in Washington, DC, brings more than two decades of experience in government and federal relations to his work, helping clients navigate a wide range of issues. He provides strategic guidance to organizations seeking to advance their legislative priorities and enhance their visibility before Congress and federal agencies.
Neal advises clients across a broad range of sectors on federal legislation, appropriations, and regulatory engagement. His client portfolio includes Fortune 100 companies, startups, and associations pursuing federal funding and strategic policy objectives. Neal helps clients craft tailored messaging and engagement strategies that align with evolving political and policy dynamics, and works closely with congressional offices, federal officials, and coalition partners to build support for client goals.
Prior to joining ML Strategies, Neal served as a legislative assistant to US Senator Max Cleland (D-GA), where he advised on appropriations, energy and environment, trade, and foreign policy. His firsthand experience on Capitol Hill informs his understanding of legislative strategy and stakeholder engagement.
Neal earned his BA from the University of Georgia.
Education
- University of Georgia (BA)
Recognition & Awards
JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award, Top Author – Energy, 2025
Case Studies
Case Study
ML Strategies formed a coalition of hydropower and renewable energy developers to build support for Massachusetts legislation, which was enacted in August 2016, that allows the state’s utilities to enter into long-term contracts with energy suppliers.
Case Study
ML Strategies advocated for the National Association of Health and Educational Facilities Finance Authorities (NAHEFFA) amid the Trump administration’s tax law overhaul. The final bill maintained the private activity bond tax exemption, including for nonprofit hospitals and higher education.
Case Study
ML Strategies advocated for the interests of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA) and its members before the Massachusetts legislature and health agencies through several rounds of cost containment legislation and bills designed to address the opioid crisis.
Recent Insights
Viewpoints
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — June 2025
June 2, 2025|Article
Events
With the Trump administration passing the 100-day mark and the 119th Congress deep into reconciliation bill negotiations, the landscape for federal energy policy is undergoing significant shifts. Join us for an insightful webinar about the evolving energy priorities shaping national policy.
Neal Martin and Frank Guinta of ML Strategies and Meghan Burke of Mintz will be attending this conference.
Viewpoints
Hot EPA Issues Heading into the Election Year
May 23, 2024| Alert
Read about EPA-related issues expected to continue generating debate during the 2024 election season, including the EPA’s fiscal year 2025 budget request, national air quality standards, federal support for electric vehicles, funding programs created under the Inflation Reduction Act, PFAS, and reducing emissions from power plants.
New Legislation Would Expand the Use of Municipal Bonds
May 15, 2024| Alert
Read about the Local Infrastructure Financing Tools (LIFT) Act, pending legislation that calls for policy changes and types of bonds that could be used by governments and nonprofits nationwide for a range of public infrastructure and capital improvement projects.
Treasury Department Issues Guidance on Round Two of §48C Advanced Energy Tax Credit Program
May 2, 2024| Alert
The highly anticipated guidance for the second round of allocations (Round Two) under the US Treasury’s §48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit program was released this week pursuant to IRS Notice 2024-36, with concept papers due potentially in the next 45 days.[1] That doesn’t provide applicants much time, but those with eligible projects should strongly consider submitting a concept paper. Submission of a concept paper is required to submit a full application, and receiving a letter of discouragement from the Department of Energy (DOE) on a concept paper does not preclude an applicant from submitting a full application. Moreover, an applicant that applied for but failed to receive an allocation in the first round is not precluded from applying for an allocation in Round Two.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — May 2024
April 26, 2024| Blog
Our May 2024 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers several DOE developments, including a final rule setting new clean energy targets for federal buildings, a report addressing commercialization of offshore wind, and a simplified NEPA process for some projects, plus final EPA rules aimed at cutting pollution from fossil fuel–fired power plants and $54 million in federal funding for electric mobility.
Industrial Decarbonization Gets Boost in Latest DOE Funding Opportunity
March 14, 2024| Alert
Read about a $425 million funding opportunity issued by the DOE’s Office of Manufacturing Energy Supply Chains. The program aims to support small- and medium-sized manufacturers that produce or recycle advanced energy products or contribute to emissions reductions within the manufacturing sector.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — March 2024
February 23, 2024| Blog
Our March 2023 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update covers contenders for the House Energy & Commerce Committee Republican leadership post in the next Congress, new DOE opportunities for advanced battery manufacturing, the second round of Defense Production Act funding for electric heat pumps, a new program to support transit & school bus fleet electrification, an update on the NEVI Program for EV charging infrastructure, and new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law & Inflation Reduction Act opportunities.
House Energy Committee Leadership Post Opens as Top Republican Announces Retirement
February 16, 2024| Alert
Read about the impact of House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers’s plan not to seek reelection and current contenders for the committee’s Republican leadership post.
New Opportunities from DOE for Domestic Manufacturing of Advanced Batteries
February 12, 2024| Article
Read about a $15.7 million funding opportunity issued by the DOE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office aimed at increasing productivity and lowering the costs of US battery production.
Energy & Sustainability Washington Update — February 2024
January 22, 2024| Blog
Our February 2024 Energy & Sustainability Washington Update reviews ML Strategies’ Outlook for 2024, the Biden administration’s continued support for the EV industry, funding for net-zero projects issued to federal facilities, new legislation aimed at building out transmission lines, the PROVE IT Act pending in the Senate, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law & IRA Opportunities.
ML Strategies Outlook for 2024
January 11, 2024| Advisory
Events
Speaker
Panelist
Dec
17
2024
Apr
8
2024
Speaker
Nov
18
2021
Energy and Cleantech Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Cleantech San Diego
Virtual Event
Speaker
May
26
2021
Speaker
Feb
17
2021