WASHINGTON —This week, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) and the Conservative Energy Network (CEN) will convene nearly 50 clean energy advocates, business leaders, and state officials from 19 states for their fifth annual congressional fly-in. Attendees will participate in meetings with more than 70 Congressional offices to advocate for commonsense clean energy policies.
“CRES is proud to again partner with the CEN to bring state and local leaders to meet with their Congressional representatives in Washington to advocate for a commonsense legislation that increases American energy production, reduces global emissions, and strengthens the U.S. economy. The fly-in is unique as nearly 50 leaders from 19 states have over 70 meetings scheduled with Republican offices to deliver a single message: expanding clean energy is good policy and good politics,” said CRES President Heather Reams. “The sentiment in Washington is that Republicans don’t support clean energy. That cannot be further from the truth as evidenced by the dozens of local and state leaders for this timely fly-in.”
“Energy security is national security. And energy security begins and ends with American energy independence. Our energy future must include a diverse portfolio that includes cleaner, more efficient energy that is made in America,” said John Szoka, CEO of CEN. “Commonsense energy policy that removes unnecessary regulatory barriers and allows market demands to drive the adoption of alternative energy sources will provide consumers with the most affordable and reliable electricity available. CEN believes conservative leaders must take an active role in shaping an energy future that embraces new technology, grows the American economy, inspires innovation, and protects our national security. That is why we are bringing together state and local conservative leaders from across the country to educate members of Congress on the importance of market-based clean energy policy solutions.”
Recent CEN polling found 81% of all voters support the government taking action to accelerate the development and use of clean energy in the United States.
Recent CRES Forum polling found 83% of Republicans and Independents nationwide support an “all-of-the-above” energy approach, which includes sources such as nuclear and natural gas as well as renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower.
The annual fly-in highlights local conservative action and support for America’s growing clean energy economy. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for CRES and CEN to champion policies that lower global emissions, including:
- Simplifying the permitting process to build clean energy projects and reduce our reliance on foreign countries for critical minerals
- Tax credits that support the development and deployment of clean energy technologies, including:
- Carbon capture tax credit to scale carbon capture and utilization
- Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit (PTC) to incentive and advance hydrogen production that could be a catalyst for next generation manufacturing
- Advanced manufacturing PTC for the domestic production of clean energy technology components
- Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for energy storage, biogas, and microgrid controllers
- PTC for nuclear power plants is vital to preserve existing safe, reliable, and affordable zero emission base-load electricity
- Support for increased U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and industrial efficiencies to lower energy costs, create jobs, and effectively compete with China:
- Additional research and support for low-emissions steel, cement, concrete, asphalt processes, projects, and domestic supply chains
Streamlined collaboration among various DOE program offices and with other federal agencies to support advanced materials and processes - Technical assistance for manufacturers and contractors seeking innovative solutions
- Additional research and support for low-emissions steel, cement, concrete, asphalt processes, projects, and domestic supply chains
- Strengthening American innovation and clean energy leadership through targeted funding of critical U.S. Department of Energy programs that help deploy emerging clean energy technologies
States represented in this year’s fly-in include Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.