For a cleaner, more prosperous world, ACC mobilizes conservatives around environmental issues, fostering collaboration in the pursuit of environmental conservation.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Welcome
ACC has been out and about during the month of September! National Clean Energy Week and New York Climate Week put ACC front and center in the environmental space, resulting in both policy and communications wins. Several successful branch and regional events rounded out the month as well, including more leadership retreats and a warmly-received branch launch in NYC. Settle in, get cozy, and get ready for this month’s round-up!
This Month In Policy
Support for Nuclear Energy on the Rise in the United States
Nuclear energy is absolutely critical to achieving our climate goals, especially as we strive to meet rising energy demand with reliable and affordable power. Just in the past month, Microsoft and Constellation announced plans to restart a nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island, the Department of Energy finalized a $1.5 billion loan to restart the Holtec Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan, and 14 of the world’s largest banks pledged their support for nuclear power. We must continue to unlock the potential of this clean, dependable power source.
Permitting Reform Could Lower Overall Emissions, New Model Finds
New modeling from Third Way shows that the Senate proposal to reform the permitting process for energy projects would result in a net reduction in emissions. Even in a “worst-case” scenario, the analysis found that the proposal would still deliver a net emissions benefit. It’s increasingly clear that streamlining the permitting process is essential to unlocking America’s clean energy potential and, ultimately, addressing climate change.
Nevada Grid Receives Clean Energy Facelift to Power Rural Communities
A 350-mile transmission project in Nevada has received approval from the Department of the Interior to begin construction. Once completed, the line will have the capacity to carry up to 4,000 megawatts (MW) of clean energy—enough to power nearly 5 million homes. This project is crucial for enabling rural communities, which produce this energy, to sell and transport it to more densely populated areas like Las Vegas and Reno. Modernizing our grid is essential to ensuring clean, reliable, and affordable energy for all Americans.
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On the Ground
- ACC in the Big Apple: Eastern Regional Director Brian Martinez and ACC NYC Branch Leader Mirko Viola launched a highly successful kickoff event during NY Climate Week, featuring Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, and members of ACC Senior Leadership.
- ACC at Fin Fest: ACC Orlando Branch Leader Kathleen John and Florida Director Dani Lindsay shared about ACC at “Fin Fest,” bringing in hundreds of new ACC Members during the weekend-long event.
- Regional Leadership Camp: We hosted the Southern and Texas Leadership Camps during September, with Leadership Institute staff facilitating training and programming at both, alongside ACC Directors.
On Capitol Hill & Beyond
- ACC CEO Danielle B. Franz attended New York Climate Week, speaking on panels with DEPLOY/US and Nuclear New York to talk about movement-building and the importance of clean nuclear energy in America.
- ACC President Chris Barnard spoke on CRES Forum’s National Clean Energy Week panel, discussing clean energy in rural America. Chris also spoke at the launch of the ACC NYC Hub with Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova.
On the Airwaves
- We secured 74 media hits this month! Notable media moments included CEO Danielle Butcher Franz’s piece in National Review, and President Chris Barnard was published in National Affairs. Additionally, VP of Grassroots Lily Long’s piece in The Chattanooga Times Free Press highlighted nuclear’s role in Tennessee.
- ACC garnered over 30 million impressions across all social media platforms in the month of September!
- ACC was proud to engage in and sponsor National Clean Energy Week, focusing our efforts on promoting permitting reform, clean energy of all kinds, and American leadership. We even designed unique, official NCEW stickers!
“I’m studying to be a teacher, and as a teacher, I don’t want my future students to live in a world, or grow up in a world that is unsafe for them.”
– Sam Krakower, ACC Member to CBS News