This year’s National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) will take place from September 15 through 19. The ninth annual event celebrates innovation in clean energy, encompassing technologies such as solar, wind, storage, wave, hydropower, geothermal, nuclear, waste-to-energy, and natural gas. The event highlights the value of clean energy for promoting economic growth, creating jobs, achieving energy independence, and reducing energy bills.
Every year, the event draws a nationwide audience, particularly for its Policymakers Symposium, during which business and political leaders discuss emerging and pressing energy topics. “Since its beginning, the NCEW Policymakers Symposium has served as a platform for leaders to bring smart, commonsense clean energy ideas to the table, and we’re thrilled to see those ideas come to life again this year,” reflected Heather Reams, NCEW founder and chair, as well as Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) president and CEO. “Together, with the top voices in energy, we will discuss how America can lead the world in clean energy production while ensuring our economy and national security are at the forefront. We look forward to hosting these exciting conversations that will shape our energy future.”
Photo Courtesy Gina Mahony
The energy and technology industries are consistently well-represented at NCEW. 2024’s event, in particular, drew 56 industry experts. This year, some of the industry speakers include representatives from groups like CRES, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), the Conservative Energy Network (CEN), the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and the National Hydropower Association (NHA).
Business leaders from companies like auto industry leader Ford Motor Company, utility-scale solar and storage company Avantus, storage company Hydrostor, renewable fuel companies Gevo and Growth Energy, fusion company Helion Energy, and gas leaders ExxonMobil Upstream Company and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will also be in attendance.
Policymakers from both political parties are heavily involved in National Clean Energy Week. As NCEW says on its website, “National Clean Energy Week is dedicated to bipartisanship. Together, we harness the power of free market and government collaboration to create jobs, expand our economy, strengthen America’s national security and preserve our environment.”
Last year, seven administrative officials and 22 policymakers participated. Among the most prominent names were three Republican governors – Brian Kemp (R-GA), Bill Lee (R-TN), and Brad Little (R-ID). Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) were both in attendance. Members of the House included Reps. John Curtis (R-UT), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Jenn Kiggans (R-VA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Susie Lee (D-NV), and Scott Peters (D-CA), all of whom will return this year, including Sen. John Curtis in his new position at the U.S. Senate.
On September 17, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Reps. Veasey (D-TX) and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) will kick off the Policymaker Symposium with their remarks. Rep. Lee (D-NV) and Rep. Kiggans (R-VA) will follow later in the morning, with Rep. Peters (D-CA) trailing in the afternoon. On the second day of the symposium, Sen. Curtis (R-UT) and Rep. Miller-Meeks (R-IA) will deliver their remarks, followed by Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA).
Photo Courtesy National Clean Energy Week
Beyond the keynote remarks, the two-day Policymakers Symposium will feature panels on a variety of pressing topics and issues:
- The recent changes to and the future of energy and climate tax policy;
- How investments in clean energy manufacturing can create jobs, speed up workforce development processes, and ultimately contribute to economic growth;
- How domestic energy products can compete against the likes of Chinese counterparts on the world stage;
- How the ethanol industry is transforming both the biofuel sector and rural communities in the Midwest;
- How permitting reform can unlock America’s energy potential, simultaneously promoting energy and national security;
- How domestic innovation can continue to deliver new technologies and projects, generating energy that is affordable and reliable;
- How artificial intelligence is changing the energy sector, with improvements to efficiency, forecasting, and grid performance;
- How to decide where to invest in a continually evolving energy market, which presents multiple challenges and opportunities;
- The future of nuclear energy in America, with development possible everywhere from decommissioned plants to advanced, small nuclear reactors;
- How offshore wind can contribute to filling domestic energy demand if it can overcome challenges, including permitting and leasing;
- How various sectors, including policy, industry, finance, and government, can help prepare and grow energy infrastructure to meet expanding energy needs; and,
- The importance of mining, processing, and recycling domestic critical minerals, while reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.
There will also be a VIP Reception and Dinner and a Young Professionals Happy Hour to provide attendees with additional opportunities to connect, learn, and network.
Photo Courtesy National Clean Energy Week
Much of National Clean Energy Week’s impact is felt and seen outside of the in-person gathering in Washington, D.C. Overall, last year’s NCEW generated 79 media mentions and more than 4 million social media impressions. 18 U.S. Senators and 50 U.S. Representatives engaged with NCEW content, and sixty-two governors and mayors issued proclamations recognizing Clean Energy Week.
This year, the first local leaders to issue proclamations recognizing Clean Energy Week included Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC), Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN), Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), Gov. Tate Reeves (R-MS), and Mayor Muriel Bowser (D-DC). Since then, Gov. Brad Little (R-ID), Gov. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH), Gov. Tina Kotek (D-OR), Gov. Larry Rhoden (R-SD), and Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) have joined them.
Reams noted, “This isn’t a red or blue issue—it’s a red, white and blue issue that transcends party lines. These proclamations underscore the desire states have to enhance innovation, create and retain jobs within their local economies, strengthen America’s global competitiveness and ensure our clean energy sector is not only expanded and protected, but empowered to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.”
Additionally, NCEW encourages other organizations to celebrate in their own communities by hosting their own Clean Energy Week events, such as a Policymakers Forum watch party, a local panel discussion, or a reception or networking event. NCEW will provide materials, including a communications guide, a social media toolkit, and an event kit featuring swag such as stickers, koozies, and posters, to make each of these events as successful as possible. They will also be listed as official participating organizations, highlighted on the NCEW calendar and social media channels. For example, the Puerto Rico Energy Forum is hosting a satellite event that will feature panels, workshops, and networking events.
This year’s NCEW will undoubtedly bring our nation’s leaders together to discuss and advance the clean energy industry. As Sen. Curtis said last year, “I believe strongly that without a conservative voice, that we make mistakes, and that by conservatives stepping up and being involved and engaged in this, we’ll make better decisions… The narrative is false, that in order to be clean, you have to give up affordability, you have to give up reliability, you have to give up energy security for your country.”
