Policy

Executive Summary America’s energy future depends on whether it can commercialize the technology it invents. The United States created the solar cell, pioneered hydraulic fracturing and split the atom, but today China rivals, and according to some sources, has surpassed the U.S. in energy research and development investment. China is also deploying next-generation energy technologies […]

The U.S. grid is widely considered a massive engineering achievement—and it’s how our country enjoys reliable, abundant and affordable electricity. In fact, the grid successfully balances supply and demand in real time and manages disruptions without having customers see interruption. Our electricity is incredibly reliable—with power available to consumers almost 99.95% of the time.i As our nation sees electricity needs grow, the grid will need reinvestment to ensure we continue to […]

Nearly every sector of the American economy relies on liquid, solid or gaseous fuels—from transportation, agriculture and manufacturing, to aviation and defense. Today these sectors are powered by a mix of American-produced fuels, including petroleum products, biofuels and natural gas, and the range of options continues to grow.   Maintaining and further expanding a diverse domestic fuel supply will be essential to strengthening economic resilience, supporting energy security, and increasing consumer choice, particularly as recent geopolitical conflicts […]

Helion Energy, an American fusion energy company, recently achieved a major milestone in the race to commercialize fusion energy. On February 13, the company announced its Polaris prototype successfully reached temperatures of 150 million degrees Celsius and demonstrated measurable deuterium-tritium fusion. This achievement breaks the company’s previous 100-million-degree record and marks a substantial step forward in private-sector fusion energy progress.  Fusion is the process in which two atoms are forcibly merged to release energy. The energy released is up to four times more […]

To highlight the importance of modernizing America’s outdated permitting processes, CRES Academy’s second session of 2026 brought together dozens of Congressional staffers, industry leaders and Trump Administration staff to discuss the need to update how our nation plans, develops and builds. With CRES Forum’s Director of Government Affairs Ryan McManus providing opening remarks, the session was kicked […]

America’s electric grid is often called the “largest machine in the world,” spanning coast to coast and powering America’s homes, economy and our very way of life. Demand for electricity is growing at a rate not seen in decades, driven by the growth of artificial intelligence, domestic manufacturing and electrification. Coupled with this rapidly increasing […]

To highlight Congress working to advance an all-of-the-above energy approach, CRES Forum hosted a reception entitled, “Unleashing Energy: Removing Regional Obstacles for Growth,” bringing together Republican members of Congress, senior congressional staff, industry leaders and energy policy experts.   CRES Forum President and CEO Heather Reams opened the evening with brief remarks, touching on the importance of removing obstacles to diversify the nation’s regional energy creation. She also highlighted a recent Member roundtable held by CRES Forum that focused on abundance derived from the unique geological benefits across states.  Reams continued the programming, thanked guests for coming and introduced Chairwoman of the Conservative Climate Caucus Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), who spoke on the need for a true […]

Clean hydrogen is quickly emerging as a strategic tool for industrial competitiveness—and the United States is well-positioned to lead. Clean hydrogen offers a transformative opportunity for American industrial renewal and global energy leadership. From refineries and fertilizer plants to steel mills and shipping ports, it offers a practical path to strengthen America’s manufacturing base while lowering […]

With U.S. electricity demand expected to increase significantly—largely driven by AI and data center needs, increased manufacturing and electrification—next-generation nuclear technologies represent a tremendous opportunity. As these industries seek to procure reliable, round-theclock, clean sources of electricity, advanced and modular nuclear technologies stand out as a uniquely qualified energy source to meet the growing demand […]

Recently, CRES Forum hosted a panel discussion at the U.S. Capitol featuring several House and Senate communications staffers through their Cool Conservative Communications Collaborating on Climate Change (C6WC) program.   The event drew strong policy and communications engagement from all corners of Washington D.C.— including from industry leaders and U.S. House and Senate Committee staff. Moderated by CRES Forum’s Vice President of Communications Mary Collins Howell, the program included questions regarding permitting reform progress in the House and Senate, and how to communicate in-the-weeds policy questions to constituents.   […]