Clean Energy Insider – December 16, 2025

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CLEAN ENERGY INSIDER

December 16, 2025

REAMS REPORT

Friends and Colleagues,

I hope that everyone was able to enjoy their Thanksgiving and spend some quality time with their loved ones! As we wrap up the year, I wanted to share a few highlights from CRES’ recent activities and a preview of what’s ahead.

On December 9, CRES celebrated the holidays at a gathering at the Capitol Hill Club, featuring the Chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Representatives Jim Baird (R-Ind.), Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.) and Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), as well as Alex Fitzsimmons, Acting Undersecretary of Energy at the Department of Energy. You can read our recap blog here.

And just before the Thanksgiving break, we were pleased to see the House Natural Resources Committee pass Chairman Westerman's Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development, or SPEED Act, with bipartisan backing. You can read more about CRES' support for this bill here. We hope the bill passes the floor this week to pave the way for the Senate to build on this legislative momentum behind comprehensive permitting reform.

There is still plenty of work left to accomplish before the end of the year. This includes teeing up more progress on permitting reforms and amplifying the work of our clean energy champions in the House and Senate, all while Congress continuously engages in budget talks to keep the government funded.

As we look toward the new year, be sure to mark your calendars for our annual “Welcome Back to Congress” reception on January 21 at the Capitol Hill Club. For more information about the event, or partnership opportunities, please reach out to Angela Chiappetta, CRES Vice President of External Relations, at [email protected].

Finally, as Washington is set to leave town for the holidays, I want to take a moment to wish folks happy holidays and Merry Christmas. We hope to see you soon in the new year!

Sincerely,

Heather Reams
CRES President and CEO

WHAT CRES IS HEARING

"But we've got the ability to produce more energy and to do it in massive quantities. And it's got to be all-of-the-above. We need more nuclear. We need more hydro. We need more gas. I say we need more coal, more wind, more solar, anything that's putting electrons on the grid. And by the way, we need to expand the grid." — Chairman Bruce Westerman in a statement.
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"We're kidding ourselves if we think we're going to start picking winners and losers in the bill and get it signed into law," he said, adding, "I think our best shot at permitting reform is to keep it tech neutral and let the process work out." — Chairman Bruce Westerman in a statement.

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“Chairman Westerman’s permitting reform bill is a major priority of ours, and we’re going to be moving it on the floor as soon as it’s ready to go.” — Majority Leader Steve Scalise in a statement.

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“I thank Secretary Burgum and his team for moving quickly to repeal the NPR-A management rule. The Biden administration imposed it over the objections of our congressional delegation, the Alaska State Legislature, the Governor, leaders from across the North Slope, and most Alaskans. Worse still, they deliberately ignored federal law and failed to meaningfully consult with the Alaska Natives who actually live in this region.” — Senator Murkowski in a statement.

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“Natural gas is an affordable, reliable and clean source of energy, vital to reducing our emissions. We should be expanding production of this resource, not restricting it. Unfortunately, restriction is the purpose of this CRA.” — Senator Capito in a statement.

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“By unleashing American energy, House Republicans are leading the way to support our nation’s energy security, strengthen our grid, and lower prices for hard-working families." — Chairman Guthrie in a statement.

WHAT CRES IS WRITING

With Permitting Reform’s Passage, Rural America Wins
Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions President and CEO Heather Reams penned her newest  op-ed  with The Washington Times on how permitting reform can boost rural economies and support American energy.

WHAT CRES IS SAYING

U.S. Chamber Political Advocacy Committee

CRES Congratulates Committee Passage of the SPEED Act
Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions President and CEO Heather Reams issued the following statement congratulating Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) on passing the bipartisan Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act favorably out of the House Committee on Natural Resources.

CRES, CRES Forum Announce New Board Members and Internal Promotion 
CRES and CRES Forum announced the appointment of Mark Riedy to the CRES Forum Board of Directors, the appointment of Dan Crowley to both the CRES and CRES Forum Board of Directors, and the promotion of Jonny Lobeck to Chief Operating Officer.

WHAT CRES IS READING

House passes 2 permitting bills as Westerman urges NEPA overhaul — E&E news

Why corporates are getting real on renewables purchasing — Reuters

Trove of Critical Minerals Uncovered in the Utah Desert — WSJ

The rise of the electrostate: By dominating clean energy, China is leading on climate action — CBC

DOE and Standard Nuclear strike deal to boost reactor fuel — E&E news

Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions

1201 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 220

Washington, DC 20004

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