American Conservation Coalition

For a cleaner, more prosperous world, ACC mobilizes conservatives around environmental issues, fostering collaboration in the pursuit of environmental conservation.

Who We Are

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Welcome

June has marked a series of remarkable achievements for not only energy security but clean energy too. Fueled by the unwavering commitment of our members, we continue to drive progress through impactful policy initiatives, community engagement, and advocacy efforts. As we step into July, join us in proudly celebrating these milestones. Together, let’s honor the power of people, embrace the challenges ahead, and stand strong in our commitment to leading the conservative environmental movement.

This Month In Policy
China’s Nuclear Leadership Rising, Urgent Call for U.S. Energy Action

A report found that China is well on its way to becoming the world leader in nuclear energy, an alarming development for those concerned about global energy security. China plans to build 150 nuclear reactors between 2020 and 2035, and currently has 27 reactors under construction. To put that into perspective, the United States currently has 0 nuclear reactors under construction. To ensure energy security for our allies and prevent our adversaries from dominating global energy markets, we must work to bolster domestic energy production, including nuclear energy, through permitting reform, innovation, and an all-of-the-above energy approach. 

Governor Gordon’s Plan: Decarbonize the West for Climate Innovation

Governor Gordon, last year’s chair of the Western Governors’ Association, released his “Decarbonize the West” report outlining how decarbonizing strategies and technologies can help the western U.S. lead on innovation while reducing emissions. The report covered everything from Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Sequestration (CCUS), Direct Air Capture (DAC), Natural Climate Solutions, sustainable agriculture, and effective forest management. This report highlights the fact that we will need all the tools in our toolbox to mitigate climate change while ensuring affordable, reliable energy and a strong economy. 

California Utility Invests in Largest U.S. Geothermal Plant

One of the largest utilities in California announced it will be purchasing electricity from the largest new geothermal power development in the United States. Fervo Energy’s Cape Station project, a 400 MW geothermal power plant, is set to come online as soon as 2026 and will have the capacity to power some 400,000 homes. As exciting as this announcement is, geothermal energy projects on federal lands still face 7 to 10 years of delays because of arduous permitting processes. If we hope to fully capitalize on this abundant clean energy source, we must cut the red tape holding it back.  

 

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On the Ground
  • Summer Hike Series Kickoff in South Carolina: Our South Carolina branch launched their summer hike series in Greenville with a successful first event. Hikers explored local trails and engaged in discussions about renewable energy!
  • ACC Los Angeles Hosts Nuclear Screening: Our Los Angeles branch is hosting a screening of the documentary Atomic Hope. The event, organized in collaboration with partners at the Leadership Institute and America’s Future, aims to spark dialogue on nuclear energy and its role in a sustainable future.
  • Events Across the Nation: June was an active month for us, with a total of 12 formal events organized across our branches and countless moments of everyday action! These events have been instrumental in driving our mission and engaging members in meaningful ways through summer and beyond!
  • Ambassador Applications Now Open! Exciting news! Ambassador applications are now live. We encourage passionate members interested in taking on a more active role in our initiatives to apply and become ambassadors for our cause.
On Capitol Hill & Beyond
  • Nuclear Celebration: President Chris Barnard attended the completion celebration of the Vogtle nuclear project in Georgia. Coincidentally, this event also coincided with the passage of the ADVANCE Act, highlighting our movement’s progress in advancing nuclear energy policy.
  • Hill Meetings on Permitting Reform: Chris Barnard and Executive Chairman Benji Backer held meetings on Capitol Hill with various leaders to discuss permitting reform and conservative environmental engagement.
  • Western Governors’ Association Meeting: Policy Associate Sarah Jensen and Western Regional Director Hattie Hobart attended the Western Governors’ Association Annual Meeting, focusing on Governor Mark Gordon’s “Decarbonize the West” initiative, with Governor Doug Burgum in attendance.
On the Airwaves
june media hits

“I am very grateful to be a member of the ACC. This organization answers to a conviction that I have long had– that conservation is conservative. “

Evan Patrohay, ACC South Carolina
  • Our media presence is unstoppable! We’ve broken last year’s media records and continued this month with–
    • President Chris Barnard’s participation on the Harvard Climate Action Week panel, where he contributed valuable insights into environmental policy and advocacy.
    • ACC’s feature on CBN, spotlighting our organization’s commitment to promoting sustainable practices and energy solutions.
    • COO Stephen Perkins was quoted in the Dallas Morning News, sharing expertise on key environmental issues affecting our community.
    • Chris Barnard’s response to climate protests was featured in the Washington Examiner, amplifying our voice on critical environmental discussions.
  • This month we cataloged over 500 new photos of our movement in action and a website engagement rate of over 45%!
  • On social media, we achieved nearly 8 million impressions. Top posts included some much-needed nuclear fast facts and a reel of our movement at Harvard.