John,

Welcome back to On the Grid, Third Way’s bi-weekly newsletter, where we’ll recap how we’re working to deploy every clean energy technology as quickly and affordably as possible. We’re breaking our usual bi-weekly schedule to bring you a special update from NYC Climate Week!

We’re excited to have you join us! 

Rising energy costs are reshaping the debate over America’s energy future. Electricity prices are climbing faster than inflation and will keep rising through at least 2026. Over 100 gas and electric utility companies have already raised or proposed higher rates. The majority of Americans (62%) say their utility bills are higher than they were a year ago.

But instead of offering relief, Washington is pushing an agenda that will drive costs up even further–blocking new energy projects, raising taxes on clean technologies, cutting investments to upgrade our aging electrical grid, and ignoring the pressing gas turbine backlog slowing natural gas deployment. They’re deciding which technologies win and lose in the energy sector, and working Americans are paying the price. Building more clean energy is essential to lowering costs, strengthening reliability, and securing America’s energy future. 

Our public opinion polling finds that, when it comes to energy, Americans are very concerned about the basics: 

• Big Energy Concerns: Our research shows Americans' top concerns for the energy sector are independence (62%), reliability (52%), and low costs (40%). They want to be confident that the lights will come on when they flip the switch and that their utility bills will remain affordable. 
  
  
• They Don’t Have a Type: Most people are agnostic about technology type: in surveys, majorities view wind (63%), solar (72%), and gas (82%) as reliable sources of energy. While a smaller percentage considers nuclear reliable (64%), research from Gallup shows support for nuclear is growing and reaching a near-record high. 
  
  
• They Want It All: The majority (67%) of Americans want some mix of clean energy and fossil fuels deployed in their communities. Clean energy has widespread support, but Americans recognize the critical role of gas in our energy sector, viewing it as not only reliable and widespread but, more importantly, affordable. 
  
  
• Education Matters: When asked in an open-ended question why the US should invest in clean energy, the plurality (30%) of survey respondents, particularly non-college-educated men, pointed to environmental protection. Just 11% said they supported clean energy investments because they’d lower utility costs. Respondents didn’t make the connection between clean tech and lower costs on their own.
  
  But when presented with arguments in favor of clean energy, participants were most responsive to arguments about energy diversity and affordability. In simple terms, respondents weren’t as familiar with the costs argument and, therefore, didn’t volunteer it as a reason to support clean energy investments. When they were educated on the things clean energy can do in our communities, costs and energy diversity stood out as the best reasons to build clean energy here in the US.

What We’re Doing: To help navigate these conversations, Third Way convened key stakeholders at NYC Climate Week 2025 to discuss the ongoing affordability crisis, explore opportunities to expand new technologies, and discuss how policymakers can more effectively respond and communicate with the public on the topic. These conversations were an important first step, and we’re continuing to test the best ways to move the dialogue around energy prices and affordability forward.

Senior Director of Domestic Policy Ryan Fitzpatrick discusses state-level solutions to lower energy costs alongside Jacob Finkel with the Office of Governor Josh Shapiro and Dr. Jonathan Moch with the Office of Governor Josh Stein.

The clean energy policy conversation is expanding…and so are we! The Climate and Energy Program is looking for people with talent and a passion for climate solutions to fill three new roles on our team.

• Deputy Director for Electricity
• Deputy Director for Innovation
• Executive Coordinator

• David Uberti, in the Wall Street Journal, outlines how the US, by doubling down on fossil fuels, is losing the clean energy race to China and surrendering its lead in the economies of the future. 

• Justin Worland, in TIME, highlights how financial institutions like JPMorgan are re-focusing on pragmatic climate finance rather than sweeping climate pledges and aligning climate goals with investor incentives rather than purely idealistic goals.  

• Lara Lierpoint, on The Green Blueprint podcast, talks with Damian Beauchamp, president and CEO of 8 Rivers, about the sunk cost dilemma in clean energy innovation, and how companies navigate tough choices about adopting more efficient processes after already investing heavily into existing infrastructure.

Let’s keep the conversation going,

Mary Sagatelova
Senior Advocacy Advisor | Third Way
216.394.7615 :: @MarySagatelova