Stepp Mayes supports E3’s Integrated Systems Planning practice area, where he focuses on demand-side decarbonization strategies, electric load modeling, and grid emissions analysis. He joined E3 after earning a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Southern California, where his research applied machine learning and statistical techniques to study the environmental impacts of electricity consumption and the potential for demand flexibility to support grid reliability and emissions reductions.

Prior to graduate school, Stepp worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an ORISE Fellow, contributing to the Ports Initiative by developing sustainability metrics and conducting geospatial analyses to assess impacts on surrounding communities.

Stepp is particularly interested in using demand-side management to create a more sustainable and reliable grid. He is motivated by the challenge of integrating renewable energy while meeting increased demand due to electrification and load growth.

Outside of work, Stepp enjoys hiking, playing soccer and tennis, swimming, reading across genres, and playing chess.