<[link removed]> It has been an election season for the history books, with the predicted red wave failing to materialize and Senate Democrats bucking the tradition of the party in power losing seats in the midterm. Republicans have clinched the majority in the House, though by a much slimmer margin than they hoped. At the same time, the Senate will remain under Democratic control, even with the Georgia race still being decided by a runoff election on December 6. Many questions remain about what shape energy, climate, and public lands policies may take in the newly divided Congress. Divided government will likely slow President Joe Biden’s climate agenda, but it’s not expected to bring it to a complete stop. The Biden administration has, until now, pursued a climate agenda based on huge levels of government spending, but Republicans enter the 118th Congress ready to enforce some fiscal restraint – and with runaway inflation and soaring debt, they likely have a voter mandate to do just that. There certainly won’t be a repeat of 2021’s infrastructure bill or this year’s Inflation Reduction Act. We expect to see more focus on increasing US energy production and permitting reform. Continue reading about the 118th Congress’ opportunity for energy freedom here <[link removed]> . November Highlights <[link removed]> Commentary: New Jersey's lawsuit against energy companies won't stop the climate problem <[link removed]> Using the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy as a hook, New Jersey recently joined a growing list of states and localities that are suing energy companies for climate-related damages. Pushed by activists to do something, these politicians choose to make headlines with dubious legal arguments rather than focusing on real solutions that address the serious issue of climate change. New Jersey claims that the companies deceived the public about the impacts of climate change and therefore should be on the hook for costs associated with rising temperatures. At the press conference <[link removed]> announcing the lawsuit, Attorney General Matthew Platkin noted that “today we begin to right the wrongs inflicted on our residents.” Among other demands, New Jersey asks for the companies “to stop their lying.” Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> ConservAmerica Joins Call For DOE To Support State Efforts To Expand Wholesale Electricity Markets <[link removed]> ConservAmerica recently joined 32 other organizations in sending a letter to U.S Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm urging the administration to support the development and expansion of organized wholesale electricity markets as a market-based approach to supporting the clean energy transition and lowering prices for consumers. Regions across the country are embracing the concept of organized wholesale electricity markets for their ability to boost grid reliability, encourage energy savings, reduce energy costs for consumers big and small, and accelerate decarbonization and the integration of renewable energy into the power grid. Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Poll Finds That Voters Overwhelmingly Back Candidates Who Support Clean Energy <[link removed]> The latest annual poll by the Conservative Energy Network <[link removed]> (CEN) found that voters overwhelmingly back candidates who support clean energy, and a majority support Republicans’ efforts on energy policy. CEN, a coalition of 24 state-based conservative clean energy organizations, released the results of their seventh annual national survey <[link removed]> earlier this month. The survey asked 1,000 registered voters across the nation their views on clean energy, competition, and related energy policy issues. The results show that candidates for public office should care about energy and climate change. Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Commentary: Banning energy exports is a terrible idea <[link removed]> With the midterm elections upon us, it’s no surprise that politicians have been trying to show voters that they are doing whatever they can to lower prices at the pump. Last Monday, President Biden warned <[link removed]> oil companies that they could face higher taxes and “other restrictions.” The president didn’t provide any more details, but his comment follows a recent Bloomberg <[link removed]> report that the White House had asked the Energy Department to analyze the impact of an export ban on gasoline, diesel and other refined petroleum products. Let’s hope this is just political posturing. An export ban is a bad idea that would hurt American consumers as well as our allies around the world. Here’s why. Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Commentary: A Dime Can Make a Big Difference for the Environment <[link removed]> As consumers, we are increasingly aware that many of the conveniences we enjoy come with environmental consequences. There may be no greater convenience than the single-use containers made of plastic, metal, and glass that we use numerous times a day. Americans buy billions of plastic bottles and aluminum and steel cans each year, many of which end up in landfills or, worse, as litter, even though they are fully recyclable. As good stewards of the environment, it's our responsibility to minimize the impacts of plastics and other modern amenities that make our lives easier and safer. Doing so does not mean we must renounce those conveniences, though. Read More <[link removed]> Parting Shot And as always, we will leave you with this Parting Shot. This beautiful sunrise photo was taken by a friend of the team at Kenai Lake, Alaska. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. With your help, we can continue to provide leadership on environmental and conservation issues based on the principles of respect for free markets, property rights, and personal responsibility. Donate <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Follow us! ConservAmerica, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington DC, United States Unsubscribe <[link removed]>