WASHINGTON, May 4, 2021 – Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) and the Conservative Energy Network (CEN) announced beginning today, more than 60 business leaders, farmers, state officials, and others from across the country will participate in a three-day series of more than 65 meetings with Republican leaders in U.S. Congress to advocate for greater investment in clean energy.
The annual “fly-in” — held virtually again this year — will stress to conservative lawmakers four legislative areas that offer affordable, rational, and reliable solutions to improve our climate, spur economic activity and create U.S. jobs: energy storage, infrastructure, national security and sustainable farming.
“A Republican vision for the expansion of clean energy means low energy prices, more energy choices, more American jobs, exporting more American innovation, less emissions and a booming economy,” said CRES Executive Director Heather Reams. “Conservatives understand the important role clean energy holds in our economy, national security, infrastructure, and as part of an all-of-the-above energy mix that prioritizes lowering emissions while keeping government mandates limited. This is the message that will be communicated to lawmakers this week.”
Within the four legislative issue areas that fly-in teams will be focused, particular attention will be paid to advocating for the Energy Storage Tax Incentive and Deployment Act (S. 627/H.R. 1684) that seeks to provide a 26 percent investment tax credit (ITC) to all energy storage projects in all applications; the Growing Climate Solution Act (S. 1251/H.R. 2820), which will help farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners access the carbon credit market and diversify their income; the American Critical Mineral Independence Act (H.R. 2637) that will promote domestic exploration, research, development, recycling, and processing of critical minerals; and the BUILDER Act (H.R. 2515) that aims to streamline the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) permitting process, which is vital to moving infrastructure projects forward without sacrificing important environmental reviews. Recent polling released by CRES revealed that a significant percent of voters—73 percent—support streamlining and reforming government regulations that hamper the transition to clean energy, including wind, solar, and hydropower projects.
“The strength of our organization lies in the educational work of our state leaders,” said Mark Pischea, CEN President & CEO. “Whether it’s discussing sensible infrastructure investments or pushing back against heavy-handed government mandates, there is much for our fly-in participants to discuss with their elected representatives. We are thrilled to once again partner with CRES to showcase state-based conservative support for a market-based transition to a cleaner, more efficient future that is free from burdensome government regulations.”
This is the third annual fly-in co-hosted by CRES and CEN. The fly-in begins today, Tuesday, May 4, with participants from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia meeting with congressional officials. On Wednesday, May 5, advocates from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana will participate in meetings, and on Thursday, May 6, meetings will conclude with participants from Texas, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah.
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Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) engages Republican policymakers and the public about responsible, conservative solutions to address our nation’s energy, economic, and environmental security while increasing America’s competitive edge. For more information, visit www.citizensfor.com.
The Conservative Energy Network (CEN): Formed in 2016, CEN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit coalition of 21 state-based conservative clean energy organizations. CEN works closely with its state teams and allies to depoliticize energy issues by offering conservative, free market-oriented policy solutions that create jobs, spark innovation, conserve our natural resources, protect ratepayers, secure market access for new technologies, and increase our grid and national security. CEN supports and promotes the work performed by its state teams to educate policymakers and the public on the benefits of a clean energy transition. Learn more at www.conservativeenergynetwork.org.