Hello Friends and Colleagues,  

The 6th annual National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) is in full swing! At CRES, we’re participating in the weeklong celebration by recognizing the contributions that Republicans make to keep America’s energy affordable, reliable, and clean!   

First, I am delighted to see the “Commitment to America Plan” rolled out last week by House Republican leaders that communicates a strong, unified agenda ahead of elections this November. The plan includes recommendations from the GOP Energy, Climate, and Conservation Task Force, led by Representative Garret Graves (R-La.), and emphasizes the need to develop domestically produced, all-of-the-above energy that offers our nation energy security and energy independence—as well as smart policies that lower global emissions and preserve our nation's economy.  

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy will also deliver remarks today during the 2022 NCEW Policy Makers Symposium; tune in here!  

In addition, CRES is honoring its 2022 Clean Energy Champions—Republican members of Congress who have gone above and beyond to support federal clean energy and emissions-reducing legislation.  

I’m delighted to recognize this year’s champions: U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and U.S. Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa). These four 2022 awardees will be formally honored at the CRES Clean Energy Champions Reception this evening. 

I thank each champion for their important work not only in Washington D.C., but in their states and districts. Please join me in congratulating them on this well-deserved recognition!  

CRES social media will highlight each of these champions during the week so be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. 

I wish you all the best for National Clean Energy Week and thank you for your support and partnership! 

My best, 

National Clean Energy Week is Here! — The wait is over—the 6th annual National Clean Energy Week continues through Friday! Thousands of clean energy advocates across the nation (including us!) are celebrating the technologies, innovation, and industries that produce clean energy while reducing emissions. 
 
Today is the first day of the flagship virtual Policy Makers Symposium, which runs through Thursday, September 29. National Clean Energy Week announced the participation of House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, U.S. Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), U.S. Senator Krysten Sinema (D-Ariz.), and House Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), amongst a bipartisan group of nearly two dozen members of Congress who will offer remarks. While our political parties may differ, everyone agrees that homegrown clean energy is important for our nation’s economy, energy needs, and a healthy environment. 

If you haven’t registered already, it isn’t too late—you can register here for FREE. This is your chance to join the clean energy conversation with legislators, industry experts, and clean energy advocates alike. Be sure to spread the word on social media!  

Senators Collins, Cantwell Lead Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing National Clean Energy Week 2022— U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) have led the passage of a bipartisan resolution recognizing September 26-30, 2022, as National Clean Energy Week (NCEW).   

“America’s clean energy sector creates good-paying jobs; strengthens local, regional, and national economies; and holds great promise in the fight against climate change,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan resolution recognizes the importance of clean energy sources and encourages investment in clean, low-emitting energy technologies to reduce harmful pollutants and leave the earth better than we found it.”  

“Investing in clean energy and modernizing our nation’s grid will make America’s electricity supplies more secure, abundant, and affordable all while creating new jobs. The clean energy investments we make right now will have substantial impacts on our climate, economy, and global competitiveness for generations to come,” said Senator Cantwell. 

Read the press release here.  
 

Reps. Curtis and Lowenthal Champion Bipartisan National Clean Energy Week 2022 Resolution— U.S. Representatives John Curtis (R-Utah-03) and Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.-47) led the introduction of a bipartisan resolution recognizing September 26-30, 2022, as National Clean Energy Week (NCEW). 

“Regardless of party, we can all agree that less emissions are better than more emissions,” said Rep. Curtis. “The United States is the leader in clean energy technology development and our energy sector deserves recognition as the tip of the spear in reducing worldwide emissions. I am honored to stand side by side with my colleagues, and especially my Democratic co-lead and friend Representative Lowenthal, celebrating National Clean Energy Week as we work with partners across the world to reduce emissions and innovate for our future.” 

Read the press release here.  

“CRES has been a vocal proponent of the Kigali Amendment and has actively urged Republican lawmakers to support its approval. Today’s strong bipartisan vote is an incredible win for U.S. jobs and manufacturing as well as our environment...  

“...CRES commends the 21 Senate Republicans who backed this international agreement, which promotes U.S. national economic interests. We also applaud the unanimous passage of the Sullivan-Lee amendment that requires U.S. foreign policy to seek to curtail China’s outdated designation as ‘developing country’ and to work with our allies to ensure a level playing field in the treaty’s implementation. 

“CRES congratulates the Senate on its ratification of the Kigali Amendment – further proof that bipartisanship exists when commonsense solutions to climate change are on the table.” 

-CRES statement on the U.S. Senate ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 

“NCEW has always been dedicated to bipartisanship—the events bring together leaders who reflect all perspectives yet share a common mission to advance clean energy ... 

“…The tremendous progress in America’s clean energy development to date should be celebrated at NCEW, but there are also actions Congress should take as soon as possible to prepare for the problems the nation is likely to face this winter, all of which are among the topics we will be discussing at events this week... 

“These priorities—streamlining permitting, preparing utilities, and securing domestic supplies—can help the U.S. avoid the worst consequences of the emerging energy crisis and the ongoing climate crisis. As NCEW kicks-off in Washington, DC and around the country, I encourage concerned citizens to join the discussion and hear from experts as to how we keep the momentum going.” 

-Heather Reams, chair of National Clean Energy Week, in her op-ed published in The Hill 

CRES Welcomes Amy Farrell to the Team as SVP— CRES announced that seasoned communications and energy policy expert Amy Farrell has been tapped to serve as senior vice president of government & public affairs.  

“Amy Farrell’s unmatched experience in successfully advancing energy policies through government and public relations tactics makes her valuable addition to the CRES team,” said Heather Reams, President of CRES. “Amy is well-known and respected for her extensive knowledge of clean energy and climate issues. She is a workhorse who has already hit the ground running to elevate CRES’ mission to promote all-of-the-above, commonsense policy solutions to our country’s most pressing energy and climate issues. I am thrilled to have Amy join CRES and look forward to working with her as we continue to push for American energy independence through clean energy innovation.” 

Farrell brings to CRES years of experience serving the energy industry in Washington, DC. Her career highlights include time at American Clean Power (formerly known as the American Wind Energy Association), American Petroleum Institute, America’s Natural Gas Alliance, and ExxonMobil. As senior vice president of government & public affairs at CRES, Farrell will guide policy and strategy development and lead the execution of integrated advocacy campaigns designed to shape energy policy at the national, regional, and state level to increase clean energy deployment and demand. 

Read the press release here.  

CRES Publishes Issue Brief on Permitting Reform— CRES recently published an issue brief focused on the need for permitting reform to unlock U.S. clean energy potential.  

CRES supports the all-of-the-above approach to technological deployment that is needed to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The permitting process should serve all energy infrastructure developers and, ultimately, consumers rather than provide an opportunity to delay technologies while giving others a leg up. Unfortunately, political risk and legal uncertainty have come to characterize the permitting process. Instead, the process should be transparent and provide developers with certainty throughout review. Therefore, a holistic approach to reform is needed to overcome barriers to timely reviews and permitting. Simply imposing time restrictions or page limits for review does not address the complexity of the underlying issues.  

Read the issue brief here.  
 

Heather Reams Speaks at NY Climate Week— CRES president Heather Reams traveled to the Big Apple to participate in Climate Group’s Climate Week NYC 2022. She addressed attendees on a panel hosted by Nexans, a global leader in providing unique connectivity solutions for the first offshore wind-powered charge station for support vessels. The panel discussed the challenge of climate change and viable solutions such as the future of offshore wind—and how it contributes to energy independence in the U.S.—and building the domestic supply chain to facilitate the growing clean energy sector and increasing demand for electrification. 

You can view the video of the panel discussion here.  

Charles Hernick Speaks at REFF Wall Street Conference— CRES Forum Vice President of Policy & Advocacy Charles Hernick traveled to New York City to participate in the REFF Wall Street conference. He spoke on a panel with developers and financiers that looked ahead at the new landscape for renewables. His remarks focused on the need for principled reform that would give the industry more certainty and transparency when working with the federal government for permits. He also spoke on the emerging opportunity for renewables to generate hydrogen and drive emissions reductions in the industrial, transportation, and agriculture sectors.  

For more information on CRES' work on permitting reform, check out our white paper! 

Why Republicans Support Kigali – E&E News 

10 Companies to Celebrate During National Clean Energy Week — c3 News Magazine 

'This is not about me': Manchin pleads with GOP to play ball on permitting reform — Washington Examiner 

Natural Resources Republicans Celebrate National Clean Energy Week — House Committee on Natural Resources 

NEW: House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to Speak at National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) Policy Makers Symposium — National Clean Energy Week 

BRANDED: Our commitment to affordable, clean American energy — Congressional Western Caucus 

Clean energy cost savings motivates Republicans and Democrats alike — PV Magazine