National Clean Energy Week 2026 is here and we're excited to welcome Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Founding President James Dozier to set the stage for this year's event. Dozier shares more about the week-long celebration of clean energy innovation with conversations to help solve the world’s most pressing challenges in nuclear, solar, wind, wave, hydropower, geothermal, natural gas, biomass, carbon capture, storage and waste-to-energy technologies.

This year's NCEW lineup of speakers includes a robust list of Governors including Mike Dunleavy (Alaska), Kelly Ayotte (New Hampshire), Kelly Armstrong (North Dakota), Spencer Cox (Utah), Jared Polis (Colorado) and Mikie Sherrill (New Jersey). Hear more about this year's event and so much more from James Dozier! 

Despite different upbringings, the hosts of the "We've Got To Talk" podcast, Jolene Conway (a self-identified conservative from Pleasantville, Iowa) and Nicole Fonarow (a self-professed liberal from San Francisco) became fast friends at the University of Iowa. And they're tighter than ever 40 years later. 

Living in a world that often seems intent on drawing lines in the sand and choosing political sides, they launched their "We've Got To Talk" podcast to inspire others. In this deeply divided society, the power of conversation can unite us. Their goal isn't to change each other's opinions, but to listen with curiosity, kindness, and empathy. And yes, to also have a good time while doing it!

The power grid is old and it is being asked to do things it wasn’t built to do. Luckily, there are a lot of smart people on the task of updating the grid. Pat Wood is one of those people. Co-chair of The Pew Charitable Trusts Distributed Energy Resources Initiative Advisory Council, Wood has spent three decades building more competitive, resilient energy systems — first as a regulator in the state of Texas and now as an entrepreneur. He is also Executive Chairman of Hunt Energy Network, deploying distributed resources across the Texas power grid, and chairs Luma Energy's board, overseeing the rebuild of Puerto Rico's power system after decades of underinvestment. 

Previously, as Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under President George W. Bush, Wood helped shape the nation's wholesale energy markets and strengthen grid reliability. As Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, he helped engineer the restructuring that made Texas one of the most competitive electricity markets in the world.

Wood also led the recent Pew report, "Distributed Energy Can Unleash the Resilient, Affordable Grid of the Future," a comprehensive policy playbook with recommendations and examples from throughout the country and around the globe for deploying distributed energy resources and virtual power plants. Catch the interview with Pat Wood!

How do we keep the lights on during extreme weather such as Winter Storm Yuri, the Texas ice storm of five years ago? This week's two guests lived through the debilitating storm and hope to never repeat that experience, NextGen Energy founder Kimberly Johnston and Vice President of Public Partnerships Shannon Fitzgerald O’Shea. 

A community energy infrastructure company focused on catalyzing public and private-sector collaborations and mobilizing capital investment towards transformative U.S. clean energy economic development projects, NextGen Energy was founded to build a safer, more resilient America by ensuring that families, communities, and critical services never lose power. Check out what Kimberly Johnston has to share about clean energy on this episode!

AI is changing the shape and scope of the world as we know it. While many talk about the negatives of AI, including the energy demands, the Climate Leadership Council’s Greg Bertelsen sees an opportunity to take advantage of the largest investments being made probably in our lifetimes. 

Clean energy and renewables can attract significant investment to fuel AI needs, potentially making AI a force for a new energy paradigm. In Bertelsen's essay "An Optimist’s Case on AI and Climate," he delves into the transformative prospects AI has to drive us toward a decarbonized world. Don't miss this interesting conversation with the CLC's Greg Bertelsen!

Host Chelsea Henderson was recently asked to join the steering committee of the Thriving Economy Project, a coalition of members of Congress, former senior congressional aides, officials from multiple presidential administrations and leading energy and environmental policy experts. The group is collaborating on a new policy blueprint aimed at strengthening economic competitiveness, creating jobs, and delivering affordable and reliable energy for American families and businesses. An upcoming report in September 2026 will outline a blueprint to build a thriving economy for all Americans.

Joining us this week is the Congressional lead for the section of the report advising on 21st-century agricultural opportunities. Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, a Democrat from Illinois, is leading the recommendations that will help farmers have stable, diversified income streams; drive innovation and adaptation; and make farming more sustainable, more lucrative, and healthier for all. She brings a wealth of experience both in her district, which features a strong agricultural constituency, and her work protecting workers and strengthening the middle class.

American Action Forum's Shuting Pomerleau explains what the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is and how it works. 

After joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in 2021 before leaving in 2023, the state of Virginia recently re-entered the environmental pact. In this episode, Shuting Pomerleau of the American Action Forum shares research that shows the pressure Virginia is putting on itself and the utility sector, pressure borne by ratepayers, by rejoining the carbon pricing pact, while also adhering to the strict greenhouse gas emissions cuts currently on the state’s books and trying to meet the demands of the AI energy boom. 

Economist Nat Keohane from the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions on some of the keys to finding a durable policy solution to climate change.

In this kickoff episode of season 13, longtime policy expert and economist Nat Keohane (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions) talks about achieving bipartisan consensus on clean energy policies from the ground up, building support with corporate America that has reverberating impacts in local communities and their economies. In particular, the American Southeast is thriving and has the potential to own the Advanced Energy Economy. 

Dr. Keohane also gives an update on where Capitol Hill stands on permitting reform and Congress’s best chance at bipartisan cooperation this year. Don't miss this first episode of our new season! 

Host Chelsea Henderson dishes on two of her most memorable interviews and topics from season 12 of the "EcoRight Speaks."

Like we do at the conclusion of every season of the "EcoRight Speaks," we look back on guests from the season and highlight some of the interviews, moments and topics along the way. Host Chelsea Henderson walks us through season 12 and some of the fun we experienced.

In this episode, you'll hear clips from authors Bob Eccles and Norm Leo, Alliance for Market Solutions' Alex Flint, the Niskanen Center’s Rachel Levine and topics such as balcony solar and geothermal. And Chelsea wraps things up with colleague Angela Larck and producer Price Atkinson. We hope you'll enjoy this recap from another fun season. 

Complete episodes and guest interviews are available on all of our podcast platforms as well as online at https://republicen.org/podcast. Thanks for tuning in and listening to the EcoRight Speaks!

Former Congressman Carlos Curbelo said on this week's episode of the "EcoRight Speaks" that versatility and markets are the best way to make our energy demands more efficient.

Former Congressman Carlos Curbelo needs no introduction. Both during his rigorous days on Capitol Hill, pushing for bipartisan consensus on climate change and now in the private sector, providing strategic advice on how to move forward on the key issues of the day, he sits at the core of the EcoRight. 

In this episode, we touch on how geopolitics impacts us here at home and how allowing the market to truly be free is central to tackling not only climate change but also affordability issues plaguing Americans. Don't miss one of the biggest EcoRight champions, our friend Carlos Curbelo!

The Nature Conservancy's Senior Policy Advisor for Freshwater Jim Howe, explains the Sustainable Rivers Program and its benefits for Americans nationwide.

A federal program that returns $12 for every $1 spent and reduces flood risk nationwide could soon be history. The Sustainable Rivers Program is a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Its reach has grown from eight rivers in 2002 to 65 today, influencing nearly 15,000 miles of waterways and more than 100 dams and reservoirs around the country. But this cooperative program is in jeopardy. Jim Howe, Senior Policy Advisor for Freshwater at The Nature Conservancy, explains what’s at stake, the potential impact of federal cuts, and how dam operations affect communities nationwide.

Carbon policy strategist Danny Richter shared some new details on the EU's implementation of its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

What do carbon pricing advocates think and talk about when carbon pricing proposals are not on the table, at least here in the United States? Carbon policy strategist and friend of the podcast Danny Richter, founder of Richter Capitol Hill Strategies, is here to break down the various policies that he and other carbon pricing peers are monitoring and advocating for during this time when direct climate policy is not on the table.

Matt Glazewski explains the Washington Climate Corps Network and more about their work.

Community engagement is at the heart of whether a successful transition to a clean energy economy is possible and in Washington State, Matt Glazewski is working on just that. Glazewski is the Executive Director of the Washington Climate Corps Network, a network of organizations, young adults, veterans, and professionals working together to build a climate-resilient Washington. He is committed to making sure all communities, overburdened by the impacts of climate change, are part of the conversation on solutions.