This September, we recognize Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) as our CRESponsible Leader of the Month.
There could be no more fitting time to recognize Sen. Collins for her longstanding leadership and bipartisan work advancing American energy innovation, energy security and economic competitiveness than during a month dedicated to celebrating the 10th annual National Clean Energy Week, which took place September 14-18. CRES honored Sen. Collins’ work during the week by naming her a 2026 CRES Clean Energy Champion, recognizing her commitment to grid resilience, energy storage and the redevelopment of former industrial sites in Maine.
As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Collins plays a central role in shaping the federal dollars that advance domestic manufacturing, grid reliability and next-generation energy solutions. These investments strengthen U.S. energy leadership while supporting jobs and economic growth across the country.
Energy storage is also a key component of Sen. Collins’ work to strengthen grid reliability and resilience. Just last month, she joined U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in Lincoln, Maine, to visit the future site of Form Energy’s long-duration energy storage facility at the Lincoln Technology Park. The project, located at the former Lincoln Paper & Tissue Mill, received a nearly $150 million federal award through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program, established by the bipartisan infrastructure law that Sen. Collins helped negotiate. The project brings together several priorities Sen. Collins has championed throughout her work on energy policy: strengthening grid reliability, supporting emerging energy technologies and creating new economic opportunities in Maine communities.
In addition, Sen. Collins is a strong advocate for protecting American families and small businesses from rising electricity costs. She is a supporter of the Ratepayer Protection Act (S. 5028), which has been introduced in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, reinforcing a straightforward principle: new large loads should pay for the grid investments built to serve them, not the households and small businesses already on the system.
From advancing emerging energy technologies to strengthening grid reliability and protecting consumers from rising costs, Sen. Collins has consistently worked across the aisle to pursue practical all-of-the-above solutions to America’s evolving energy needs. Her work reflects the kind of sustained leadership that brings together innovation, affordability and reliability to help build a stronger American energy future.
We are proud to name Sen. Collins as our CRESponsible Leader of the Month for September!