WASHINGTON — ICYMI, Real Clear Energy published an op-ed where National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) chair and Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Forum (CRES) President and CEO Heather Reams highlighted the importance of the 9th annual NCEW occurring this week as well as continued and growing support for clean energy demonstrated in a new CRES poll.
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The clean energy economy is booming, and for the ninth year in a row, the country is coming together to celebrate National Clean Energy Week (NCEW). As the founder and chair of NCEW, reflecting on this year brings me hope and resolve, but it also makes clear that there is more to be done to bolster our clean energy resources. NCEW comes at a critical time to move the needle on bipartisan permitting reform and work with the Trump Administration and champions in Congress to unleash American energy dominance.
Over the next week in Washington, policymakers, industry leaders, stakeholders and participants will showcase the work they are doing to diversify our energy portfolio, strengthen homegrown energy, incentivize American innovation and clear the way for further development of clean energy technologies. This week will be crucial to educating, persuading and being a resource to those who want to be changemakers in the nation’s capital.
To be sure, I am incredibly proud of the platform we have built in our near decade of operations. And I am pleased to announce that here in Washington, this week we will be celebrating our Clean Energy Champions—those in Congress who have fought hard to preserve and keep intact clean energy tax credits in their states and distances and nationwide. Together, Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) and Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) have been staunch allies on Capitol Hill. These champions’ open and vocal support signify the importance of a bringing strong voices together to recognize the importance of an all-of-the-above approach to keeping American competitive in global energy markets.
Across the nation, governors are taking action, too. To make the unique, bipartisan case for NCEW, we are proud that dozens of Republican and Democratic governors have recognized Clean Energy Week through proclamations in their states. Many governors have welcomed investment and support from the federal government, and worked to clear regulatory hurdles to ensure streamlined, efficient use of these resources.
And public opinion is on our side. In fact, new polling from Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions shows strong support for clean energy projects and investments. For example, among Republican and Independent voters, a whopping 72% say the “use of clean energy is important.” 68% support accelerating the development and use of clean energy and 67% say quote: “It’s important for Congress to expand clean energy.”
Plus, it turns out, if folks live by and benefit from these energy sources, they also strongly support the projects. I’ll give you a few examples: Overall, hydroelectric has a net favorability of 61 points, solar has 56 and natural gas has 77. But if one of these voters lives close, hydroelectric jumps from 61 to 80. Solar goes from 56 to 73, and natural gas goes from 77 to 82. This data proves Americans not only support clean energy technology getting the support it needs, but right-leaning voters are on board, and even more so when the projects are in their own backyards.
This continued and growing support is why I remain thankful to our champions in the House and Senate who continue supporting all-of-the-above energy solutions. Vocal and public support is critical for American energy leadership, no matter what side of the aisle it comes from. That’s why this NCEW, I hope all Americans come together and put economic prosperity, a healthier environment and bipartisanship all in one basket. Now is an opportune time to recognize and celebrate the growth of American, homegrown energy during National Clean Energy Week, September 15-19, because when America leads the charge for clean energy, the world watches.