Hello and welcome back! Thanks to all who sent heartfelt comments after last week’s atypical, 9/11-focused Week En Review and well wishes for a speedy covid recovery. (What a week last week was.) I’m in the clear from the pesky virus and was even able to attend National Clean Energy Week in person on Wednesday. More on that to come!
National Clean Energy Week Turns Ten!
What started off a small (but mighty) event has grown into something truly fabulous, a bringing together of policymakers and stakeholders, industry leaders and clean energy advocates, all to highlight the achievements and discuss the challenges ahead facing renewable energy and adjacent issues.
Here to give us a preview and to reflect on ten years of clean energy market growth is the founding president and board chair of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, James Dozier.
James brings to his role (and our episode) a wealth of Republican grassroots organizing, advocacy, and political experience to CRES, which he has CRES since 2013 and in that time, he has focused on growing conservative support for clean energy solutions to enhance our nation’s economic, energy, and environmental security. This work has included building out robust political and advocacy operations that have supported Republican clean energy champions in the House and Senate.
Tune in to the show and let me know if you watched any of the panels!
Coming up next week, we pivot from clean energy to our national park system and needed maintenance funding that is in jeopardy. Rebecca Knuffke from the Pew Charitable Trusts talks about the importance of reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund, included in the landmark 2020 Great American Outdoors Act, detailing how these crown jewels of America return to local economies as well as fuel our patriotic spirit and soul.
A Brief Report From National Clean Energy Week
I was pleased to make at least one day in person (in lieu of virtual) of the two-day Policymakers Symposium. And readers, I think I picked the best day! I caught the tail end of the panel moderated by our friend Alex Flint, had lunch with the delightful Meredith Davis, and ran into an old friend from my Senate staffer days, Marty Hall, someone who was with me on that 9/11 day I detailed last week.
✨ Other highlights ✨
Geothermal is having a moment: This was a recurring theme throughout the panels and speeches, even the ones that were not specifically focused on the hot what-is-old-is-new-again technology that has the potential to power 65 million U.S. homes in the next 20 years. “Being able to leverage existing expertise is an advantage,” noted Kristine Wiley, Vice President of Energy Systems and Technology Integration at GTI Energy.
Vibes are high for permitting reform: A “must have” and “dream outcome” for basically everyone in the energy sector who was asked “what would you like to see done legislatively this year,” permitting reform looks to finally be reaching culmination. “You don’t pick the runway if you’re not confident you’re going to land the plane,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The “Big Four” senators (chairs and rankers on the EPW and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee) are in discussion with leadership and the parliamentarian on what floor action would look like, a sure and good sign action is imminent.
Consistency. Reliability. Durability: These buzz words of the day demonstrated the overwhelming need for consistency in the application of polices, reliability in energy generation, and durability in what the rules and parameters are for the regulated community.
Senator John Curtis’s beard: I hadn’t seen it in person yet! Very striking. But also, his remarks, which literally touched on “all of the above” (of my highlights) were thoughtful, personal, and inspiring. He noted that ten years ago, we all would have been scratching our heads if we had been told that in 2026, geothermal would be the energy darling of the 10th annual NCEW. What will we be looking back on at the 20th annual?
Honorable mentions: I didn’t get to talk to her, but enjoyed Catrina Rorke’s moderation of a panel on energy exports; former Governor Tim Pawlenty, who now leads SEIA, spoke passionately on the economic benefits of solar energy; and, again, so many hot takes on geothermal was inspiring to hear.
ICYMI: Take Our Flash Poll
It used to be that from our website, republicEn members could send messages to Congress about climate and energy policy from our conservative perspective. Recently we noticed fewer people were hitting the send button on this opportunity to contact your member of Congress.
We got curious… Is it frustration? A sense that elected officials have already made up their minds? Or would a different type of action feel more worthwhile right now?
Our new 3-question Flash Poll asks what you think about contacting Congress and how you would prefer to make your voice heard.
Take the poll here.
With that, enjoy your weekend.
I am excited that my older son (that 9/11 baby) will be home this weekend, taking a break from his graduate studies and also, crazy cat lady that I am, was intrigued by the latest new cat species discovery, which begs the questions, why friend shaped if. not friend?