Weekly Briefing: Be ready for the next chapter in carbon pricing

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July 1, 2026

For more than a decade, carbon pricing has been at the heart of Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s work. Our reputation as a trusted voice on carbon pricing wasn't built overnight — it came from years of careful research, thoughtful advocacy, and a commitment to understanding the evidence behind effective climate policy.

Now, CCL is partnering with Resources for the Future to launch a brand new, educational carbon pricing learning series. The series will help inform our carbon pricing advocacy moving forward, ensuring that our efforts stay grounded in the best research and data available.

“As we continue to lead on the politics of carbon pricing policy, we need to fully understand the current landscape of carbon pricing,” says CCL Congressional Liaison Director Mindy Ahler. “Looking at the best research from experts in the field will help us find the most strategic way forward.”

Beginning this September, the series will feature monthly sessions exploring topics including:

What economists say about carbon pricing
The potential impact of carbon pricing on energy affordability
How carbon pricing works in practice, based on real-world data

The series will kick off at CCL’s Summer Conference on July 27 with a plenary discussion featuring Dr. Marc Hafstead, Fellow at Resources for the Future (RFF) and Director of RFF’s Carbon Pricing Initiative. Dr. Hafstead has spent his career researching and evaluating climate and energy policies, with a particular focus on the design and impacts of carbon pricing systems. He will join CCL VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler on the main stage for a conversation exploring what the latest research can teach us about the future of carbon pricing policy. Join us at the conference in D.C. to hear his remarks in person, or plan to tune into the livestream.

This session will serve as an introduction for the full, virtual sessions beginning in September. Each session will help deliver the latest research to keep all CCLers up to date and thinking strategically about how we can make the future of carbon pricing a success. Visit the series page on CCL Community today to sign up to be notified of specific dates, times, and login information for sessions in this series.

Sign up now

In other news this week:

Clean energy on the rise: Clean energy adoption is still going strong! A new report from Wood Mackenzie and SEIA found that 96% of new power generation capacity added in the U.S. in the first quarter was clean: 60% solar, 31% battery storage, and 5% wind. See the full study and summary in CCL Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli’s latest Nerd Corner Community post.
CCLers join Senator for part of 250-mile hike: This week marks America’s 250th anniversary celebration. To commemorate the occasion, Senator John Curtis (R-UT) is on a continuous, 250-mile hike across Utah. Members of CCL Utah, who have a longstanding relationship with Sen. Curtis, will join him on his last day, July 3.

Take action this week

If you have a little time: Talk about the heat wave. The extreme heat in Europe and the U.S. is not normal! The more we talk about it, the more we can help others realize the importance of climate action. Have a conversation in real life, or share CCL’s recent social media post with your own thoughts on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, or Bluesky. Encourage others to write their representatives and continue pushing Congress for effective policies to reduce emissions and protect Americans from dangerous heat.

If you have more time: Become an advocacy detective. Before we can effectively persuade our members of Congress, we first need to understand them — their district, their pressures, their priorities, the language they use, and the communities they feel accountable to. By becoming an advocacy detective, you can identify authentic connection points to effectively engage with your representatives. Start by completing BRIDGE Unit 2, Section 2, then take a deep dive with BRIDGE Training #5. For extra help, join one of our upcoming coworking sessions July 8 or July 15 where you'll have dedicated time to work on your Advocacy Detective Blueprint alongside fellow volunteers and a CCL staff member.

Upcoming trainings

7/2: CCL's Climate Advocate Lobby Training Workshop - Building on CCL’s Informational Session, the Climate Advocate Training Workshop will focus on climate communication skills and lobbying. We’ll help you find your role to hit the ground running. You’ll learn how to develop constructive relationships with elected representatives and practice our lobbying methods. Then, join a mock lobby meeting to put your new skills to use. This training is highly recommended for first-time lobbyists or those in need of a refresh ahead of the Summer Conference. Join us!

7/9: Foundations of Celebration: CCL’s Progress in Congress - Passing federal climate legislation is extraordinarily difficult — and understanding that reality helps us better appreciate the impact of effective advocacy. In this training, we’ll explore the complex ecosystem surrounding Congress. Volunteers will leave with a better understanding of why incremental progress matters, why celebrating advocacy wins is essential for sustaining long-term engagement, and how disciplined grassroots organizing can still shape policy outcomes even in a highly polarized political environment. Join us!

7/16: Summer 2026 Lobby Training #1: Primary & Secondary Asks - Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Congressional Liaison Program Director Mindy Ahler, and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for a training that will review the updates and context for CCL's Summer 2026 Primary and Secondary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their in-person meetings. This is a recommended training for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of CCL’s 2026 Lobby Day. Join us!

7/21: Summer 2026 Lobby Training #2: Lobby Plans and Q&A - This Lobby Day training will review more details and the context for CCL's Summer Primary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their DC meetings. We'll also have time to get your questions answered by CCL's Government Affairs team. This is the second of two recommended trainings for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of CCL’s 2026 Lobby Day. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Events Calendar on CCL Community.

Posted by Elissa Tennant on Jul 1, 2026 5:13 PM America/Los_Angeles