Weekly Briefing: Catch a Keynote From Dr. Danny Richter, Former CCL D.C. Staffer
October 25, 2023
The program for CCL's November conference, "Grassroots Rising: Leveling Up in the Climate Fight," is chock full of fantastic content. In addition to an opening keynote address from CNN commentator, author, and social entrepreneur Van Jones, we will also have a closing keynote address from another familiar face: Dr. Danny Richter.
Danny was CCL’s first paid staff member in D.C., reinforcing our volunteer lobbying efforts with regular, year-round relationship building on Capitol Hill. He served as CCL’s Vice President of Government Affairs until fall of 2022. During his tenure, he shared lots of delightful video updates at key moments in CCL’s efforts — such as the early days of building support for the Energy Innovation Act, the founding of the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, and when carbon pricing was covered in the New York Times.
Today, Danny is the head of Richter Capitol Hill Strategies, and he has filmed one more quick update for us all. Watch his message and register for the conference to hear his keynote remarks on Nov. 4.
In other news this week
• Executive Director search: The boards of Citizens’ Climate Lobby and Citizens’ Climate Education have jointly begun the search for our next Executive Director. This letter from board chairs Zaurie Zimmerman and Sandra Kirtland Turner explains the search process and timeline.
• A podcast to heal our politics: Braver Angels just launched a new podcast called “A Braver Way,” hosted by Mónica Guzmán. Mónica will talk with guests from across the political spectrum to unearth tools, insights, and real life stories to help listeners move past divisiveness in politics and everyday life.
• Benefits of BIG WIRES: Did you catch our training about how the BIG WIRES Act would update and streamline America's energy transmission system? This bill will be a focus of our November lobby meetings with Congress, so you'll want to know your stuff. Check out the recording to learn how the legislation will improve reliability and reduce energy costs.
Take action this week
If you have a little time: Ask your members of Congress to cosponsor the BIG WIRES Act. The BIG WIRES Act takes the next step forward in successful permitting reform by tackling the issue of energy transmission. Get the details on the bill and use our easy tool to call your representative and senators to ask for their support.
If you have more time: Lock in your November lobbying plans. Does your chapter have meetings set yet? Do you know which local volunteers will be in the meetings, and what everyone’s roles are? Work with your liaisons to firm up your meetings with Congress the week of Nov. 6-10. Here’s some more guidance to make sure you’re ready.
Featured chapter: CCL Portland, ME
CCL Portland, Maine, is a robust chapter led by Sarah Braik and Peter Dugas.
“We were the bulk of the 36 Mainers who traveled to the CCL June 2023 conference and lobbying meetings — a state record!” Peter says. The Portland group included 13 middle and high school students, and they held meetings with all four Maine offices, three of which were face to face with the lawmakers themselves.
This summer, the chapter published a wonderful op-ed in their local Portland papers, emphasizing the opportunity Mainers have to push their legislators for climate action. The piece beautifully highlighted that CCLers come “from all walks of life: young professionals using their skills for a better world; business owners motivated to stabilize energy costs; new Mainers knowing the plight of climate refugees; retirees fighting the injustices of pollution, and students rejecting cynicism to build the political will for a livable world.”
The chapter is also working the grasstops angle of their advocacy, as well. They met with the sustainability manager of a major outdoor recreation retailer in hopes of adding their support to the 150+ Maine businesses supporting national Carbon Fee and Dividend legislation or getting their CEO to sign a letter the chapter is assembling to Maine senators. Great work, CCL Portland!
Have you logged your recent activities in the Action Tracker? Tell us what your chapter has been up to lately.
Want your chapter to be featured? Share your info and photos with us.
Upcoming trainings
10/26: Fall 2023 Lobby Training #2: Legislative Plan - Get details and context for CCL's Fall 2023 Primary and Supporting Asks from CCL's Government Affairs team, Ben Pendergrass and Jenn Tyler (pictured above), as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their online meetings. Join us!
11/2: Leading a Lobby Team - This training will review the role of a lobby team leader, how they assign team roles, coordinate practice times and how to handle other special situations. Join us!
Need training on the basics? Our Core Volunteer Training series, happening each Tuesday, is the place for you. The series takes a break next week for Halloween, but will be back the following week:
11/7: Economics of Carbon Fee & Dividend Policies - Join CCLer and economist Paul Bernstein to learn the three key elements of carbon fee and dividend policies like the Energy Innovation Act. Join us!
To see other topics and past trainings, visit the Training Topics page of CCL Community.
Chart of the Week
Monthly household dividends and emissions targets from the Energy Innovation Act
Join the discussion delving into the details of the Energy Innovation Act.
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