July Round-Up

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

Who We Are

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Welcome

From celebrating this beautiful country and our right to protect it on the Fourth to making organizational history as a title sponsor of the 2024 Republican National Convention, July has been an action-packed month for the American Conservation Coalition. Our team has been hustling on the ground and on the airwaves to head into the fall a well-oiled machine — filled with a new ambassador cohort, a groundbreaking on a nuclear power project, and an unprecedented number of media hits! Pour yourself a hot cup of coffee and get ready to dive into this month’s update.

This Month In Policy

NEPA Litigation Report: Delays Hampering Energy and Conservation Projects

The Breakthrough Institute recently released a report examining the effects of NEPA litigation on energy and conservation projects. The report found that agencies win around 80% of appeals cases, meaning that while litigation rarely changes a project’s outcome, it often results in unnecessary delays of around 4 years. Effective judicial review reform will be crucial for comprehensive permitting reform that aims to unleash clean energy and critical conservation projects.

Urgent Call to Expand High-Voltage Transmission

Americans for a Clean Energy Grid and Grid Strategies released a report highlighting a troubling trend: despite the near doubling of projected load growth in the last year, expansion of high-voltage transmission needed to meet this rising demand is decreasing. Over the past decade, the construction of large-scale transmission has “slowed to a trickle.” In 2023, the US only built 55 new miles of high-voltage transmission lines. Additionally, we are building only 20% as much new transmission as we did a decade ago. To ensure a reliable, affordable, and clean energy future, we must ramp up the construction of large-scale transmission. 

Kairos Power Breaks Ground on Nuclear Reactor

At the end of the month, Kairos Power began construction on its Hermes Reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee—one of the first advanced reactors to be constructed in the United States. Specifically, it is the first and only 4th generation reactor approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the first non-light-water reactor permitted in the US in over five decades. With Kairos’ advanced nuclear reactor project breaking ground this month, it is clear that nuclear innovation is underway in the United States. However, further reforms and investments will be needed to ensure this clean energy source reaches its full potential. 

 

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On the Ground

• ACC DMV Pints & Policy Event: The ACC District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) branch hosted a successful Pints & Policy event, where attendees had the opportunity to engage in a detailed discussion on pipeline safety laws with Susan Olenchuk, an expert in the field!
• ACC DFW Kickoff: The ACC Dallas Forth Worth (DFW) Hub celebrated its kickoff with a lively social event at the AFP Texas headquarters. The enthusiasm and support shown at the kickoff underscore the growing momentum and commitment to our cause in the DFW area!
• ACC Baton Rouge Kickoff: Excitement is building as the ACC Baton Rouge branch hosts its kickoff event to close out our July growth. As a new branch, this event marks the beginning of what promises to be a vibrant and impactful journey. We’re eager to see the community-driven efforts that will emerge from beautiful Baton Rouge!
• We had an incredible response to our Fall 2024 ambassador program! Our team dedicated the month to conducting interviews and carefully selecting our next cohort of conservation leaders. Stay tuned for updates as we prepare to welcome a new group of ambassadors who will champion our mission and drive meaningful change in their communities.

ACC Launches Donor Clubs

As ACC celebrates its 7th anniversary, we’re excited to announce the launch of three new donor clubs! These clubs are designed to enhance involvement with ACC and help us scale our impact even further. By joining, one will gain unprecedented access to ACC’s strategies, including donor retreats and exclusive virtual briefings with VIP experts.

On Capitol Hill & the 2024 Republican National Convention

• ACC made a splash this month as a title sponsor for the 2024 Republican National Convention. Alongside hosting a popular, interactive booth, our team also held an RNC reception, co-hosted by CRES Forum, ClearPath, and the Conservative Climate Foundation.
  • We were honored to have Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), Founder of the Conservative Climate Caucus, and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), CCC Chair, join us. They highlighted the importance of conservative engagement on climate issues, with opening remarks by RNC Host Committee Chair Reince Priebus.
  • Get a closer look at the mural painted by dozens of attendees at the RNC! We’re a movement of creation, not destruction. Rather than destroying art in protest, why not create it?
• After hosting multiple off-the-record staff roundtables on permitting over the past year, we were thrilled to see significant progress on Capitol Hill aimed at unleashing American energy. Additionally, President Chris Barnard briefed the Western Caucus on the benefits of nuclear energy in collaboration with the Nuclear Energy Institute.

On the Airwaves

• ACC achieved 241 media hits this month. NPR highlighted our work at the RNC, while POLITICO covered Reince Priebus’ speech at our reception. Our senior leadership team came together ahead of the RNC in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Executive Chairman Benji Backer appeared on NBC News, and Chris Barnard represented ACC at the America in One Room panel.
• Our website saw a busy month with a 45% increase in new users, totaling over 27,000 unique events.
• Social Media: Over 8.6 million impressions, with notable posts including CEO Danielle Butcher Franz defending sensible environmental rhetoric.

“Being a Branch Leader has given me so much optimism for the conservative climate movement. It’s a chance to meet people who mean it when they say they care about the environment and are willing to work to show it. “

Alina Clough, ACC DMV Branch Leader