June Grassroots 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

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Welcome

June proved that the conservative environmental movement is not slowing down. From the humid halls of D.C. to the dusty hiking trail, our now 80,000+ members showed what it means to lead with both principle and action. We hosted 22+ grassroots events nationwide, including cleanups, energy tours, and hikes that brought new voices into the fold. We launched a nuclear energy plushie, driving 4.5K+ people to our site to learn more.

In Pennsylvania, ACC leaders delivered powerful testimony in support of restarting the Crane Clean Energy Center, marking one of our most visible nuclear advocacy moments to date. And last, but certainly not least, we co-hosted the Energy Imperatives Summit with Trump’s Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Members of Congress, spotlighting the policies that can restore American energy dominance. From the field to the airwaves, the momentum is real… and now it’s unstoppable.

On the Ground

ACC hosted 22+ grassroots events across the country this month, bringing our mission to life through cleanups, hikes, tours, and community conversations.

• 80,000 Strong & Growing: ACC surpassed 80,000 members nationwide, proof that our movement is gaining ground and inspiring a new generation of thoughtful conservation leaders.
• Cleanup Crew in Action: ACC Indy rolled up their sleeves for a community cleanup, doing their part to keep Indiana beautiful.
• Stewardship Meets Sisterhood: ACC showed up strong at Turning Point’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit, engaging young women with conservative conservation and, of course, flowers!
• Colorado on the Trail: ACC Colorado hit the great outdoors for a summer hike in honor of National Great Outdoors Month, proving once again that our best ideas are sparked on the trail.
• Happy Hour, Higher Purpose: ACC Nashville teamed up with the Young Republicans for a summer social that mixed networking and shared values over ice-cold drinks.
• Powering Conservation in the Southeast: ACC South Carolina went behind the scenes on a guided hydropower tour, learning how this clean energy source helps drive local progress.
• Texas Takes Gorman Falls: E-Board members for ACC Houston hit the trail at Colorado Bend State Park for a team-bonding weekend hike to Gorman Falls.

Advocacy In Action

• Backing the Crane Clean Energy Restart: ACC partnered with Constellation to deliver powerful testimony in support of restarting the Christopher M. Crane Clean Energy Center in Middletown, PA. At a June NRC meeting, five ACC leaders, including staff and members, voiced their support for bringing 835 MW of clean, reliable nuclear power back online.
• Celebrating Clean Energy Progress in Pennsylvania: ACC’s Karly Matthews joined former Miss America and Nuclear Engineer Grace Stanke for Constellation’s official celebration of the Crane Clean Energy Center restart. This celebration reinforces the public and political momentum behind nuclear energy!
• Digging Into Agricultural Innovation: Policy Director Sarah Rosa joined leaders from ClearPath, C3Solutions, and the Conservative Ag Innovation Coalition on the Steel in the Ground tour through Nebraska. The tour spotlighted how farmers and ranchers are pioneering conservation practices that protect both the land and our way of life.

Driving The Agenda

• Bringing the Heat to D.C.: ACC proudly co-hosted the Energy Imperatives Summit alongside American Affairs and the Foundation for American Innovation. The summit featured a headline fireside chat between Energy Secretary Chris Wright and President Chris Barnard. They tackled the biggest challenges in Washington, from permitting reform to rebuilding America’s nuclear supply chain. The summit also included leading lawmakers like Representatives Jeff Hurd, Bruce Westerman, and Chuck Fleischmann sharing their perspectives on restoring energy dominance and cutting red tape.
• Shaping Culture from Chicago to Rome: Chris Barnard took the stage at the S2G Summit in Chicago to spotlight how a new generation of leaders can bridge partisan divides and advance real climate solutions. He also joined a high-profile event hosted by WEC Italia in Rome to weigh in on the future of conservative environmentalism and the importance of American/Italian cooperation in energy policy.

This Month In Policy

Texas Clears Major Hurdle In Approving Carbon Capture Projects

EPA’s proposal to grant Texas primacy over Class VI permits—used for underground carbon injection wells—is a major step toward securing American energy dominance and streamlining permitting. Currently, carbon injection wells in Texas must obtain a permit directly from the EPA, a process that can take years. In contrast, North Dakota, which already has primacy, regularly approves these projects within months. By delegating this authority to the state, Texas can accelerate the permitting of Class VI wells—critical infrastructure for carbon capture and sequestration.

Tech Companies Make Large Investments in the Nuclear and Geothermal Industries

Nuclear and geothermal projects scored massive investments from tech companies this month. Corporate offtake agreements are attractive for companies that demand constant, reliable energy. Google will offtake 200 megawatts from Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ fusion plant in Chesterfield, Virginia. Similarly, Meta partnered with XGS Energy for a 150 megawatt geothermal project in New Mexico. These investments offer vital security and capital to emerging technologies that will help us meet rising energy demand while lowering emissions.  

New Study Projects Large Regenerative Agriculture Growth

A study by Meticulous Research projects that the regenerative agriculture market will grow by over $18 billion by 2032, driven by rising demand for natural and organic products. North America is expected to lead this growth, fueled by investments from companies like General Mills and Cargill. America’s farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists, and we must continue to invest in them.

On the Airwaves

• From restoring energy dominance to protecting public lands, ACC’s hard-hitting voices led policy conversations in Newsweek, RealClearEnergy, and beyond.
  • CEO Danielle Franz weighed in on the conservative response to public lands sell-offs in both Newsweek and the National Review outlining that stewardship is the guiding light for America’s land management strategy.
  • President Chris Barnard joined Julius Krein (American Affairs) and Thomas Hochman (Foundation for American Innovation) in RealClearEnergy to show that energy dominance, through mechanisms like permitting reform, nuclear power, and suply chain independance, is imperative.
  • Chief Operating Officer Stephen Perkins cast a warning against wreckless energy policy for InsideSources, explaining how Texas narrowly avoided blackouts thanks to an all-of-the-above approach.
  • Policy Director Sarah Rosa and Thomas Turner (Conservatives for Clean Energy Virginia)penned a column in The Virginian Pilot arguing the Virgnia’s recent energy investments are a win for the nation.
• Thousands flocked to our site to learn more about Ricky the Reactor, the new nuclear energy plushie ACC has launched to combat the stigma around nuclear power. We’re thankful for the hundreds of votes, comments, and words of support for this new clean energy champion!

“As conservatives, we must promote energy freedom and encourage innovative solutions across the energy industry, not only to meet our energy needs but to bolster our communities.”

COO Stephen Perkins for InsideSources, Texas Just Avoided Destruction of Our Energy Miracle