Washington, D.C. – Conservatives for Clean Energy Virginia CCE-VA), a chapter of the Conservative Energy Network (CEN), joined Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Forum and other CEN members for the start of a three-day series of more than 50 meetings with Republican leaders in Congress.
During the CRES Forum Virtual Fly-In, CCE-VA members met virtually with the offices of Representative Rob Wittman (VA-01) and Representative Morgan Griffith (VA-09) to advocate for greater investment in clean energy.
“Virginia is seeing tremendous growth in clean energy across the state. Just in the last year Virginians have witnessed the first offshore wind turbines installed, the first onshore wind project announced, an exponential growth in utility scale solar, and major investments in energy efficiency. It is critical that we advance policies that will spur investment in clean energy so we can further accelerate the growth in clean energy jobs in the Commonwealth which can help lead our economic recovery. Free-market policies, not heavy-handed federal intervention, will encourage entrepreneurship and innovation that will benefit Virginians,” said Christopher West, Executive Director of Conservatives for Clean Energy Virginia.
The purpose of the fly-in is to emphasize the economic benefits of the clean energy sector to conservative lawmakers. CCE-VA’s message focuses on how clean energy investments will boost Virginia’s economy and create much-needed jobs. These meetings provide an opportunity to highlight the difference between common sense clean energy investments rooted in free-market principles and unrealistic proposals from Democrats, such as the Green New Deal, that would increase government overreach and add costly burdens to taxpayers. Advocates also shared how clean energy jobs have already benefited Virginia’s workforce and how additional investments will help facilitate greater economic recovery.
“Conservatives recognize the value of clean energy to the economy, national security and public health, and as part of an all-of-the-above energy mix. They want their leaders in Congress to champion commonsense policies that will expand this burgeoning sector and reject massive government-managed programs supported by extreme environmental organizations” said Heather Reams, executive director of CRES Forum.
In addition to CCE-VA, participants in the virtual fly-in are from CEN member organizations in more than a dozen states. This is the second annual fly-in co-hosted by CRES Forum and CEN.
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Conservatives for Clean Energy Virginia (CCE-VA) works to inform the public about the benefits of clean and renewable energy sources in Virginia. The organization helps to lead the conversation about the economic benefits of clean energy.
Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Forum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that educates the public and influences the national conversation around responsible clean energy solutions that are actionable, market-friendly, and responsible.
The Conservative Energy Network (CEN): Formed in 2016, the Conservative Energy Network (CEN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit coalition of 21 state-based conservative clean energy organizations. CEN works closely with its state teams and allies to depoliticize energy issues by offering conservative, free market-oriented policy solutions that create jobs, spark innovation, conserve our natural resources, protect ratepayers, secure market access for new technologies, and increase our grid and national security. CEN supports and promotes the work performed by its state teams to educate policymakers and the public on the benefits of a clean energy transition. www.conservativeenergynetwork.org