Dear Friends of National Clean Energy Week,
Another National Clean Energy Week has come and gone, but we would like to take one last look back at National Clean Energy Week 2020 (NCEW) before we look ahead to our fifth anniversary celebration! Mark your calendars, by the way, for #NCEW21 happening September 20-24, 2021 and be sure to follow @NCEWConf for updates throughout the year.
We’ve highlighted some of the biggest stories below. From the Policy Makers Symposium HQ, we celebrated the opening of a new cleantech incubator, welcomed Volkswagen’s brand new all-electric SUV into the world, delved into how companies like McDonald’s, General Motors and Cargill are making a difference in energy use and production, discussed new approaches to bringing clean energy innovations to life, and learned how some of America’s cornerstone industries and occupations are adapting and thriving in a clean energy economy. We heard from politicians and government officials of every political stripe and persuasion, and while the approach and the objectives may vary, one overarching theme emerged: Clean energy really does help build a stronger America.
Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA) put it so well in his recent piece for The Wenatchee World Empire Press, writing, “we still have work to do to secure our nation’s energy independence and clean energy future, but there is a bright future ahead.”
We would like to once again thank all of our participants: the policymakers, government leaders, industry experts, and nonprofit advocates who made this National Clean Energy Week the best one yet. We are incredibly appreciative of our many sponsors, and our Steering Committee, who make National Clean Energy Week come alive every week of the year. And most of all, we thank you – the members of this incredible community helping to raise the profile of clean energy industries and add your voice to the policy making discussion. With your dedication, we know America’s energy future will be stronger than ever.
RECORDINGS OF ALL NCEW 2020 SESSIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND SEPTEMBER 30
All of this year’s NCEW sessions, including remarks from policymakers as well as expert panels, will be available on the event site on-demand starting Wednesday. You can catch up on today’s sessions when you binge-watch the entire symposium next week!
Miss #NCEW20 and now feeling completely out of the loop? Don’t worry! Contact us at [email protected] to find out about special pricing for on-demand access.
AMERICAN ENERGY INNOVATION ACT AUTHORS TOUT HOPES FOR LEGISLATION DURING NCEW
National Clean Energy Week was a rallying point for the authors of the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA), a package of more than 50 energy-related bills considered by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and compiled by Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Joe Manchin (D-WV). The bill represents the best chance to modernize domestic energy laws in more than 12 years and will ensure the United States remains a global energy leader while also strengthening national security, increasing our international competitiveness, and investing in clean energy technologies.
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) made headlines by handicapping the chances of the AEIA passing the Senate at 75 percent. While he said the Senate is now focused on the Supreme Court vacancy, he thought modernizing the nation’s energy policy for the first time in over a decade would be a priority, especially in light of the pandemic. Senator Murkowski also vowed to keep fighting for AEIA.
"Some are already looking ahead to next year, past the elections and to a new Congress, as they contemplate what is possible on clean energy, and I understand that impulse," Senator Murkowski told Utility Dive. "But I would also encourage you not to give up hope on meaningful legislation before the end of this year."
TWO NEW BILLS INTRODUCED DURING NCEW
For the first time since National Clean Energy Week launched in 2017, Members of Congress used the occasion to introduce legislation. On Tuesday, Representative Garret Graves’ (R-LA) speech included an announcement of his introduction of the Building U.S. Infrastructure through Limited Delays & Efficient Reviews (BUILDER) Act, which will modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and reform its permitting process. Toward the end of the week, Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) closed out NCEW by introducing the Energizing Technology Transfer Act, legislation that will help deploy American clean energy innovations based at the Department of Energy (DOE).
30 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICIALLY RECONGIZE NCEW
This year, more than half of the nation’s governors from across the country signed proclamations officially recognizing Clean Energy Weeks in their states. For a map showing all the states with official proclamations, click here.
CLEAN ENERGY PROFESSIONALS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES DURING NCEW
Dozens of clean energy advocates and professionals took advantage of two our of our partners’ virtual networking events Thursday evening. Greentown Labs celebrated the opening of their new Houston incubator with an “EnergyBar” and shared their plans to help serve the city's climatetech community. Additionally, EDP Renewables hosted professionals to discuss the value of competition and the opportunities for new clean energy development through the creation of organized markets. It may not have had “spirits” of a traditional
happy hour, but participants certainly seemed to have fun and make valuable connections.
STATE-BASED EVENTS INCLUDE IOWA ROUNDTABLE
This NCEW featured a number of events outside the Beltway. Perhaps the most significant event yet was the Iowa Clean Energy Week roundtable hosted by The Washington Examiner and Citizens for Reponsible Energy Solutions and moderated by Examiner Energy Reporter Josh Siegel. The event featured a handful of Iowa state energy experts, including Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who owned his informal title of “father” of the Wind Energy Tax Credit, one of the most cost effective U.S. tax
policies of the past few decades. The panel also discussed the state’s pro-growth, pro-job agenda, among other topics. To view a full video recording of this event, click here.
NATIONAL CLEAN ENERGY WEEK CHAIR HEATHER REAMS DISCUSSES #NCEW AND CLEAN ENERGY POLICY ON EXPERTS ONLY AND RAISING YOUR ANTENNA PODCASTS
Clean Capital accelerates the flow of institutional capital into clean energy in order to connect investors to opportunities in clean energy and drive renewable energy capacity, reducing the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and generating attractive returns to boot. In the latest edition of the investment firm’s podcast, Experts Only, Co-founder and President Jon Powers talked with Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Executive Director Heather Reams to discuss he conservative case for clean energy and how each of us can become better climate communicators. Click here to listen!
Heather also virtually sat down with Keith Zakheim, CEO of the Antenna Group and host of Raising Your Antenna podcast to discuss National Clean Energy Week, bipartisanship and the future of clean energy and climate policy. Produced by the Antenna Group, a public relations, marketing and creative agency that specializes in clean technology, energy innovation and sustainability. Raise your own antenna for clean energy with just one click!
BEST QUOTES FROM NCEW
“While some in the Congress and on the national stage would have us prioritize politics over policy and ideology over innovation, we must not let them win. Republicans, Democrats, and everyone in between can and should unite around clean energy solutions. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary.” - Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO)
“Thank you for offering a Clean Energy Week. This is a true, noble, bold statement being made - a reminder, a challenge, an inspiration - to all of us in this country to make certain we are part of a global response." - Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY)
“Our kids don’t give a damn about what’s politically possible.” - Representative Sean Casten (D-IL)
“Next generation energy storage technology is the holy grail that will allow us to integrate more renewables and clean energy technology. That in turn will help to reduce emissions, improve resiliency, and fight climate change.” - Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)
“The moral obligation we have to our kids...it’s costing more...But our solutions have to provide something tangible to people too as we move forward...We have to demonstrate that clean energy will improve their lives.” - Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL)
“If you look past the headlines and past the hyperbole, you will find lots of good men and women on both sides of the aisle that want to work together and want to solve this [climate change]” -Representative John Curtis (R-UT)
“For a long time, we were reliant on fossil fuels, but over the last 10 to 15 years we have diversified, and that’s good for national security.” - Representative Darin LaHood (R-IL)
"Shouldn’t we continue to adopt develop energy technology that the rest of the world can adopt. Things like energy efficiency and carbon capture?"- Representative David McKinley (R-WV)
#NCEW20: WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Senator Chris Coons: Did you know that 40% of U.S. energy jobs are #CleanEnergy jobs? We’re already building a clean energy future that employs thousands of Delawareans and responds to the threat of climate change, but we can push even further.
Rep.Tom Emmer: Advancing clean energy paves the way for American energy independence. #MN06 is home to leading solar energy providers in the nation, and supporting clean energy will help us achieve our rural energy development goals! #NCEW20
Commissioner Nikki Fried: Today, I was proud to join @MayorOfTLH and proclaim September 21-25 as #NationalCleanEnergyWeek in Florida. Energy affects everyone — it helps produce our food, powers our homes & drives our economy. Our state’s very future depends on us getting energy right. @NCEWConf #NCEW20
Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Brent Bailey: In support of #NCEW2020, we will be sharing information each day about the various #cleanenergy technologies being utilized or available in #Mississippi. Stay tuned for additional info on clean energy in our state. #CleanEnergyWeek
U.S Chamber: National Clean Energy Week kicks off today! Our @GlobalEnergy President @martyjdurbin will be participating to discuss policies that incentivize #cleanenergy innovation. Learn more: http://go.citizensfor.com/e/862811/2020-09-28/379s2/39539831?h=h9F030TQ4z-0Z3fZeoj4Jl5jC8XMAEf7jRuiJDlAjYo @NCEWConf #NCEW20
AWEA: Monday Must-Read from our CEO, @TomCKiernan: Six facts to know about American #WindPower during this week’s National #CleanEnergyWeek & #ClimateWeekNYC celebrations. #NCEW20 @Citiz4Solutions @CRESforum
AWEA: AWEA’s Amy Farrell during @NCEWConf panel: "Rural communities host more than 99% of the U.S. #wind fleet. There's a lot of value added through local, state property taxes & landowner payments that’s significant at the local level & impressive at the aggregate." #NCEW20 #windpower
Conservatives for Clean Energy Georgia: Welcome to @NCEWConf in Georgia. @CCE_GA #NCEW20 interviews with @timechols, @BubbaPSC, @robertsonforga, @gdecd Pat Wilson, & @allienkelly. We are tremendously honored and grateful for an opening message from Georgia's @GAFirstLady, Mrs. Marty Kemp. #CleanEnergyWeek #Solar
Rainey Center: Clean forms of energy are powering everything from homes to stadiums. In 2019 over 17% of US power was produced by renewable energy sources. This #CleanEnergyWeek our community joins together in celebrating our clean energy leadership and future. #NCEW20
We'd be nothing without our friends. Thank you to all of NCEW20's sponsors!
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To learn more about National Clean Energy Week please visit, nationalcleanenergyweek.org.
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