For a cleaner, more prosperous world, ACC mobilizes conservatives around environmental issues, fostering collaboration in the pursuit of environmental conservation.
Date: April 24, 2026
Contact: Karly Matthews / karly@acc.eco
ACC Energy Freedom Tour Visits Chapel Hill
CHAPEL HILL, NC – The American Conservation Coalition (ACC) and the Hamm Institute for American Energy continued the 2026 Energy Freedom Tour today at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The event engaged students in dynamic discussions about the future of American energy. Speakers such as Executive Director of the Permitting Council, Emily Domenech, and Vice Chancellor of the University of North Carolina, Paul Newton, highlighted North Carolina’s critical role in this evolving landscape.
Jim Kerr, CEO of Southern Company Gas, and Kendal Bowman, President of Duke Energy North Carolina, offered students valuable insights into North Carolina’s essential contributions to a strong energy future and underscored the importance of fostering student engagement within the field.
ACC President Chris Barnard said: “The tools to unleash American energy are right here in North Carolina. With access to cutting-edge nuclear technology and a commitment to an all-of-the-above energy approach, the talent of North Carolinians will be pivotal in advancing innovative energy solutions.”
Hamm Institute Executive Director Ann Bluntzer Pullin said: “America’s energy future will be built by the next generation. Students who step into these conversations now are not just learning about the sector, they are preparing to lead it.”
Students at the event provided their insights on energy topics through real-time polling and were encouraged to connect with The Legacy Center, an energy jobs board designed to assist graduates seeking careers in the energy sector.
To learn more about the Energy Freedom Tour, visit our landing page.
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The American Conservation Coalition (ACC) is a nonprofit organization committed to building the conservative environmental movement.
The Hamm Institute for American Energy at Oklahoma State University merges education, research, and policy to redefine the energy landscape with the mission to advance dispatchable energy that powers economies and secures our future.