Project Aims to Facilitate Practical, Unbiased Evolution Toward More Sustainable Energy Solutions
WASHINGTON – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, on Wednesday launched the “Energy Forward Project” campaign to advocate for depoliticized energy and environmental policymaking, and arm the public with unbiased information about our nation’s energy systems, sources and advances in decarbonization technologies.
As states across the U.S. continue to explore aggressive environmental policy solutions, the Energy Forward Project seeks to help its members and the communities they serve separate fact from rhetoric in today’s divisive environmental dialogue.
“The politicization of energy and environmental policy is working against our ability to accomplish real emissions reductions and delivery of affordable energy,” CEA President David Holt said. “In statehouses across the country, we’re seeing legislators debate some of the hardest, most consequential energy and environmental policies with entire industries actively being stifled in the debate, and, as a result, they are losing the expertise that is at the forefront of decarbonization technology and research.”
“Too often, we’re allowing electoral outcomes and policy based on unrealistic activist demands – rather than science and data – to guide our approach to improve the environment and make energy policy. The results are often the exact opposite of what was intended – emissions rise as we opt for less clean energy choices in the absence of adequate supplies of lower-carbon options and costs go up for families and small businesses. Europe’s current energy crisis shows us the real risks of getting energy policies wrong.”
Aimed at facilitating a more rapid, lasting evolution toward sustainable energy, the campaign’s guiding principles include ensuring that energy and environmental policies reflect the diversity of our systems, industries, geographies and people.
“One size doesn’t fit all because it matters where energy is located. Cities and communities across the country all have different needs and resources. What works in Texas may not work in Delaware. Our national geographic diversity is an asset to decarbonization, if we embrace all energy options when devising policies. Exclusion does not work, nor does rushing changes to our energy system, which is essential to our quality of life and the economic health of families, small businesses and the nation.”
Citing broad concerns for systems failures and increasing energy costs for families and businesses as additional barriers that have decreased public distrust, the campaign hopes to inspire a renewed commitment to collaboration and innovation.
“We’ve got to be talking more and investing more in the vast array of renewable technologies available or in development today. We’ve got to bring every solution and partner to the table, and rebut the arguments of professional naysayers who fail to bring adequate factual data. Otherwise, the ability of our lawmakers to pass meaningful, effective energy and environmental policy will keep eroding, and Americans will end up with inadequate energy and higher prices. We can and must do better. Americans have always risen to challenges of this scale and scope with practicality, innovation and collaboration. Now should be no exception.”
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About the Energy Forward Project
The Energy Forward Project is a campaign of Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for consumers, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future.
In the spirit of consumer advocacy, CEA’s Energy Forward Campaign will build coalition partners with businesses and organizations across Delaware, working to empower citizens with the information and tools required to move past the politics and division of energy and environmental policymaking today towards a more sustainable energy future.
About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for consumers, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, we are committed to leading the nation’s dialogue around energy, its critical role in the economy, and how it supports the vital supply chains for the families and businesses that depend on them. CEA works daily to encourage communities across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.