The communication team from Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Forum recently joined the Conservative Climate Foundation’s (CCF) 3rd Annual Communicators Retreat in Asheville, North Carolina. The retreat brought together over 45 U.S. House and Senate communicators, industry leaders, and partners focused on crafting and amplifying a conservative approach to clean energy policy.
Elizabeth Daniels, executive director of CCF, kicked off the retreat with a briefing on the growing Conservative Climate Caucus, emphasizing the alignment of conservative values with clean energy policy and highlighting successful communication strategies.
The retreat also featured a panel moderated by Evan Dixon, vice president of communications at CRES Forum, focusing on how communicators can capitalize on skills they gained on Capitol Hill into roles in the private sector while continuing to champion clean energy policies. CRES Forum President and CCF Board Chair Heather Reams subsequently moderated a panel exploring the role of clean energy tax credits in driving American innovation and delivering certainty for the industry.
Attendees toured the Biltmore Estate, learning about its initiatives in sustainability such as solar power and biodiesel production, which provided a real-world example of environmental stewardship that has a significant impact on the local economy. They also toured Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum-certified brewery in the country.
Finally, the team heard from experts about communicating the benefits and policy needs for an emerging clean hydrogen industry as well as best practices for media engagement, which included examples from Southern Nuclear’s media rollout for the Plant Vogtle’s Units 3 and 4 in Waynesboro, Georgia, earlier this year.
Building relationships with communications staff, both in Congress and throughout our nation’s energy industry, is critical to advancing conservative climate solutions. The CRES Forum team looks forward to continuing to engage with CCF to do just that.