Meet Isaac Cheek, CUB’s Summer Law Clerk
Welcome Issac Cheek to the CUB team! Isaac joined the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota as our Summer Law Clerk for the Summer of 2026. Read more about Isaac below, and introduce yourself at CUB's Consumers Celebration on June 10.
Where are you currently in your law school journey?
I just finished my first year of law school and have two more to go. I am excited to dive into more environmental and energy-related course work in my second and third years.
What brought you to energy law and consumer advocacy?
I was drawn to these fields because they exist at the intersection of systemic climate mitigation and immediate local impact. I have a background working in Western environmental nonprofits, and I am accustomed to legal advocacy that is very landscape/ecosystem-focused. CUB’s work invariably benefits sensitive landscapes and ecosystems by mitigating climate change, but it also focuses on creating tangible benefits for everyday ratepayers in the process. To me, this seems like a socially durable approach to building a sustainable future, and I am excited to be a part of it at CUB.
What made you want to apply for a law clerk position as a ratepayer advocate?
Working in environmental nonprofits, the energy field was always an enigma to me. Is the PUC a court or a legislative body? Why are there so many numbers? Who keeps track of all of those acronyms? At the same time, it felt like so much of our climate future relied on what happened in those complicated proceedings, and I wanted to understand how they worked. Clerking as a ratepayer advocate seemed like a great way to take the deep dive into energy law and learn from attorneys who are seasoned PUC advocates.
What projects are you most looking forward to taking on during your time with CUB?
As someone new to this field, I am eager to work on any project that comes my way this summer. That said, I am especially looking forward to exploring data center issues. With data centers popping up and raising concern all over the country, Minnesota has an opportunity to set influential regulatory guideposts that protect the environment and energy consumers. During my time at CUB, I am excited to explore how measures like Large Load Tariffs can ensure that the energy burden of data centers do not fall on everyday consumers.
How do you see the energy landscape changing in Minnesota? What excites you most about being part of that change?
I am new to Minnesota as of last year, but I can already sense a shared eagerness to pursue a clean energy future here that has not been present in other states I have called home. While no state is perfect, it is unique to be in a place where the state government, business community, and citizens all seem to have an appetite to embrace change and equitably decarbonize. CUB is heavily involved in this collaborative effort, and I am excited to get to know MN’s unique energy community during my time here.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I accidentally met Billy Joel at Wrigley Field when I was 17.
When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?
Knee deep in a trout stream with a fly rod in my hand! When I’m not on the water, I also enjoy rock climbing, reading short stories, looking at my dog, and endlessly tweaking my pizza dough recipes.