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            <title>Weekly Briefing: CCL joins Dream.org for Capitol Hill meetings</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/605</link>
            <description><![CDATA[July 15, 2026


CCL is well-known for our big annual Lobby Day on Capitol Hill — but did you know we're on Capitol Hill at other times, too? Just this week, 10 CCLers attended a targeted day of advocacy in D.C. in partnership with our friends at Dream.org.

These volunteers came to D.C. from elsewhere on the East Coast, like New Jersey, New York, Florida, and from as far away as California and New Mexico. Guided by CCL's VP of Government Affairs, Jennifer Tyler, they visited 15 congressional offices to build more support for bipartisan clean energy permitting reform. One of the offices they met with was Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), pictured above.

"The focus of this fly-in was to meet with progressive Democrats, who are an important constituency in the permitting discussions in D.C.," Jenn explained. "Our meetings emphasized to these Members that permitting reform is necessary to build and connect lots more clean energy across America, and it can be done in a way that protects people and ensures community input."

We're grateful to everyone who represented CCL and to our partners at Dream.org for joining forces on this important effort. We’re also looking forward to a much larger, CCL-specific push for permitting reform as part of our Summer Conference and Lobby Day at the end of this month.

Follow CCL on Instagram to keep up with all the Capitol Hill updates and photos that will be coming your way soon!

In other news this week:


	Summer Conference livestream: Registration is now open for livestream access to CCL's Summer Conference! Livestream ticket holders receive virtual access to all main stage sessions Monday, July 27, including the opening keynote session from Jigar Shah and Carbon Pricing Plenary featuring Marc Hafstead of Resources for the Future. Livestream access is $20 and will take place on Zoom, hosted by Elli Sparks, CCL Sr. Director of Field Operations.


Take action this week:
If you have a little time: Save the date to call Congress July 27. We’re headed to Capitol Hill to meet in person with lawmakers and their staff on Tuesday, July 28. The day before, you can help strengthen those conversations from wherever you are. On Monday, July 27, we want to generate thousands of phone calls sending one clear message: People nationwide support the policies that CCL is lobbying for. A swell of calls just before lobby day will help emphasize that it’s not just people in our lobby meetings who support climate action. Set a reminder in your calendar, then invite three people in your life you can invite to call Congress, too. 

If you have more time: Watch the July Monthly Meeting. If you weren’t able to make it live, the recording for July’s Monthly Meeting is available now. This month, we heard from CCL Executive Director, Ricky Bradley, who delivered updates about some of our key actions and asks to Congress so far this year, including Forest Service and NCAR funding. We also heard from an excellent panel of featured CCLers about their motivations, their mindset, and more as they head to Capitol Hill this year. Tune in and get excited for the Summer Conference at the end of the month by checking out the recording.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events:

7/16: Summer 2026 Lobby Training #1: Primary &amp; 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&amp;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 D.C. 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!

7/23: Motivational Interviewing: Listening and Motivating for Change (BRIDGE Training #7) - We’ve moved onto Unit 3 of BRIDGE! In this deep-dive training, you’ll learn the core mindset and tools of Motivational Interviewing. We’ll cover how to use OARS and listen for change talk so others discover their own reasons to support climate solutions. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Jul 16, 2026 10:31 am<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:31:19 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/605</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Relational advocacy in action to honor America’s birthday 🇺🇸</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/604</link>
            <description><![CDATA[July 8, 2026

 
Saturday marked the 250th anniversary of America's independence. “This moment invites us to look beyond the partisan politics of our time and deeply reflect” on “values that span right and left — family, faith, hard work, patriotism,” said Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) in a press release and to local media. To do that reflection, the Senator spent nine days walking 250 miles across Utah — and on July 3, Utah CCLers joined him! 

“Hiking with Sen. Curtis has become an annual tradition and is always more than just a hike. It's an opportunity to build stronger relationships through meaningful conversations outside the walls of a congressional office,” explains CCL Network Director Bill Barron.

“Along the trail, conversations naturally turned to the values he sees that define our state: taking care of one another, maintaining faith in our country, finding the fortitude to stay engaged, and recognizing that happiness often comes through civic duty and service,” Bill shares. 

Sen. Curtis had these types of conversations with folks throughout the state all during his walk. “What I am loving about this 250-mile walk is the chance to meet one-on-one with those who embody the best of Utah,” he said on social media. “I think everybody should walk the state at 3 miles an hour,” he added, speaking to local reporters. “You get a whole different view, and it’s a good view.”

It’s true! When you slow down and spend some real time with someone, you can understand them better and connect more deeply. That’s part of the relational approach we take to our climate work not just in Utah, but nationwide. 

Thanks to every CCLer who puts this approach in action with their Members of Congress. Because this approach — leading with our values and with a real desire to understand and connect — is absolutely vital to start America’s next 250 years off right.

In other news this week:


	CCL letter in Washington Post: Maryland CCLer Lyla Fadali wrote a fantastic letter to the editor of the Washington Post, tying together the Fourth of July holiday and the extreme heat experienced across much of the country last week. "Who wants to be outside on the National Mall or grilling in the backyard with this heat and humidity? The heat is ruining our beloved traditions," she wrote. "For America’s 250th birthday, Congress should give us the gift of renewed climate action." See her full letter in the Washington Post or in the CCL Community Media Relations forum.
	 
	New study emphasizes importance of permitting reform: A new analysis from Lily Bermel at MIT's Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research makes clear that slow permitting is limiting clean energy deployment in the U.S. "Permitting reform is perhaps the single best policy action that can be taken to accelerate the energy transition and power economic growth and opportunity," the analysis states. Good thing we're lobbying for permitting reform on Capitol Hill later this month! Will you join us in D.C.?


Take action this week


	If you have a little time: Lobby Day is the heart and soul of CCL's Summer Conference 💚 In a new video, CCL VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler explains why it’s so important that constituents meet face-to-face with Congress — and why now is a critical time to show up. Check out Jenn's video and share it to your network on Facebook, Instagram, or X.
	
	Then, plan to join us this July 26-28 in D.C. to experience Lobby Day for yourself! Registration closes this Thursday, July 9, at midnight PT. Secure your spot at cclusa.org/summer.
	 
	If you have more time: Plan or attend a summer social with your chapter. In the coming weeks, many CCL chapters around the country will be hosting summer socials. Consider planning or attending one of these events with your local chapter! You’ll have the chance to meet other climate advocates in your area and maybe even hear from local CCLers about their experience at our Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. Get more details in our July Action Sheet, and make sure you’re connected with your local chapter to plug into whatever they’re planning.


Featured: Mountain West media hits

CCL volunteers Alex Amonette, Karen Jackson, and Madeline Dalrymple banded together to write a joint op-ed about permitting reform that has gotten some serious traction across Montana, Utah, and Wyoming — the states where they live, respectively.

“With energy demand soaring and utility prices rising, affordable and reliable energy is a non-negotiable for farms, ranches, small businesses, local economies and hard-working households,” they write in their piece. They identify America’s slow federal permitting process as a major barrier. “The problem isn’t the existence of permits. The problem is obtaining them can take years,” they explain clearly.

Versions of the piece have appeared in Utah’s Deseret News on June 14, Montana’s Billings Gazette on June 21, and in Wyoming’s Laramie Boomerang on June 26. The pieces urge bipartisan cooperation on permitting reform and encourage readers to contact Congress in support. Great work, Alex, Karen and Madeline!

Want to generate more media buzz for climate solutions in your state? Check out our Powering Up Statewide Media training or connect with your Statewide Media Manager.

Upcoming trainings

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 &amp; 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&amp;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.<br /><br />Posted by Flannery Winchester<br />Jul 8, 2026 12:48 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:48:25 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/604</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Be ready for the next chapter in carbon pricing</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/603</link>
            <description><![CDATA[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 &amp; 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&amp;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.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Jul 1, 2026 5:13 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:13:53 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing:  Get ready for Lobby Day with CCL’s BRIDGE training</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/602</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Jun. 24, 2026


We’re just a month away from our biggest lobby event of the year on Capitol Hill. On July 28, hundreds of CCLers from across the country will gather on Capitol Hill for a full day of meetings with members of Congress to advocate for clean energy and climate policies. To prepare for this year’s Lobby Day, we’re diving deep into CCL’s BRIDGE Advocacy Training program.

BRIDGE Unit 2 focuses on applying the knowledge from Unit 1 to better understand our Members of Congress. Trainees have learned how to apply Moral Foundations Theory to members of Congress, research their priorities and values, and tailor messaging in ways that resonate with their perspectives.

Unit 2 focuses on one of the most important skills for effective advocacy: understanding your audience. You'll learn how to apply Moral Foundations Theory to members of Congress, research their priorities and values, and tailor your messaging in ways that resonate with their perspectives.

As CCL Vice President of Field Operations Brett Cease explains, “The more we understand where someone is coming from, the more effective we can be at finding common ground and building trust.” That's why Unit 2 lays such an important foundation for successful congressional meetings.

Once you’ve worked your way through Units 1 and 2, you have two upcoming opportunities to strengthen your skills. 

	Join us tomorrow, June 25, for BRIDGE Training #6: Unit 2, Section Three Deep Dive. During this session, you'll practice assessing where your member of Congress stands on a CCL policy and identifying a realistic next-step ask that builds trust and political will over time.
	Then, join an Advocacy Detective Blueprint Co-Working Session. These informal workshops, held every Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT through July 15, offer dedicated time to work on your Member of Congress Common Ground Blueprint alongside fellow volunteers and CCL staff. Whether you're just getting started or refining your research, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside other CCLers in small groups and get real-time guidance.


As Brett reminds us, “Political will is built through relationships. When we understand what motivates a member of Congress, we're better equipped to make meaningful asks that create real progress.”

The best way to prepare for both workshops — and for Lobby Day itself — is to complete Unit 2 of BRIDGE. If you haven't finished it yet, now is the perfect time to catch up. Complete Unit 2 and access all BRIDGE resources on CCL Community.

Take me to BRIDGE!

Take action this week
If you have a little time: Share a conference update from Brett Cease. Unsure what to expect at this year’s Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day? CCL VP of Field Operations Brett Cease has the inside scoop on the day’s program, including his conference-exclusive, afternoon BRIDGE training. Check out Brett’s conference update and share it to your network on Facebook, Instagram, X, or Bluesky. 

If you have more time: Make one last conference push ahead of the registration deadline. We have only two weeks left to get as many citizen lobbyists as possible to Washington, D.C. this July! Work within your chapter and network to coordinate registration, transport, and logistics to help make this our biggest Conference &amp; Lobby Day ever. The more people we can bring to Capitol Hill, the louder our message will be. Make sure everyone is registered before the July 9 deadline to secure their spot and experience what it’s like to be a citizen lobbyist in our nation’s capitol. 

 Featured: The Great School Electrification Challenge
CCL’s National Youth Action Team recently wrapped up the third and final round of The Great School Electrification Challenge.  The Challenge was part of CCL’s effort to promote building electrification through federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. It provided a fun, lightly competitive framework for students to learn advocacy skills, engage in their communities, and move their school districts forward on an infrastructural plan to reduce emissions.

Round 3 winners were Durham (NC) Sustainable Schools Coalition (1st place), Voltage of Issaquah, WA (2nd place) and Fairfax (VA) Solar Schools Campaign (3rd place).  The Durham team was successful in getting the district to commit to a full Climate Action Plan, and the Fairfax team was featured in an Earth Day video at the invitation of their superintendent. 

Over the three years of the Challenge, 35 youth-led teams completed and tracked 614 local advocacy actions. Their efforts mirrored CCL’s 5 levers, and included over 200 lobbying actions, such as meeting with school board members and district administrative staff.

Highlights of the Challenge include: 

	The Electrify Cincinnati (OH) Schools Team worked with the Board of the Cincinnati Public Schools to pass a full “Electrify Everything” Resolution.
	Duluth (MN) Climate Club saw the installation of solar panels on the school district’s administration building after 6 years of student advocacy.
	The Durham (NC) Sustainable Schools Coalition was successful in getting the district to commit to creating a full Climate Action Plan. 
	The Moscow (ID) Solar Bears obtained a commitment from their superintendent to install solar panels in the district. 


The National Youth Action Team congratulates all of the students who participated over the course of the three year project for using their powerful voices as constituents to make change in their communities. Way to go!

The National Youth Action Team finished out the year strong before beginning a well-deserved summer break. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the NYAT, visit the group’s page on CCL Community.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events

6/25: The Scale of Support: Defining the Next Step (BRIDGE Training #6) - We’re still going strong on our deep dive into BRIDGE Unit 2. In this training, we will practice assessing where your Member of Congress stands on one of the policies CCL supports and choosing a realistic next-step ask that strengthens trust and steadily builds political will over time. Join us!

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!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Jun 24, 2026 3:21 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:21:05 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: June Monthly Meeting highlights: Wildfire resilience, lobbying, and the Fix ...</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/601</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Jun. 17, 2026


Guest speaker Tyson Bertone-Riggs, co-founder and co-director of the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience, graciously joined us for June’s Monthly Meeting last Saturday. Bertone-Riggs brought a wealth of expertise from his work on wildfire policy and emphasized the importance of being on Capitol Hill, in person, to advocate for meaningful legislation.

“When you show up, that alone is a huge message you're sending to Congress,” he said. “It’s easy to get pessimistic about how Congress functions, but really it's extremely human. It's extremely relational. You going in as an authentic representative of the area you're from is really important.”

A key focus of Saturday’s discussion, led by CCL Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli, was the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, legislation that Citizens' Climate Lobby is currently supporting. Bertone-Riggs described the bill as "the first to comprehensively look at wildfire issues both around people’s homes and in the forest” and address the need for mitigation in both areas. He applauded the sheer size of the bill and its dedication to harm reduction, response and research to manage increasingly large wildfires.

One obstacle to wildfire legislation is that some constituents still see wildfires as a “western” problem, only impacting states where wildfires are most prevalent. Bertone-Riggs disputes this myth, pointing out that wildfire smoke from Canada and western states frequently drifts over to the East Coast, fueling air pollution in areas like Washington, D.C. 

Finally, Bertone-Riggs offered an encouraging reminder for climate advocates. "If we are too pessimistic about Congress's ability to act, we have let them off the hook," he said. By continuing to engage lawmakers and build broad support for solutions, volunteers can help hold Congress accountable for making positive changes around wildfire management. As he put it, "the urgency of this issue is so high that inaction is a choice."

If you weren’t able to make it live, be sure to catch the recording and learn more about how CCL volunteers can help support wildfire resilience and the Fix Our Forests Act. Thank you to Tyson Bertone-Riggs for joining us as a guest speaker!

Watch the Recording

In other news this week:


	Permitting reform support across the country…: New polling data from Blue Rose Research found that 60% of Americans support permitting reform. The data also found similar support for fair permitting certainty, including half of Trump voters in favor of limiting executive obstruction of energy infrastructure permits, with a +17% net approval rating. Comb through the data and read the overview from CCL Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli on CCL Community. 
	 
	…and permitting reform progress in D.C.: Heatmap News reports that a new bipartisan permitting bill has hit the Senate. Though not the comprehensive package we are pushing for, this bill is yet another sign of growing bipartisan momentum. In fact, Heatmap’s Robinson Meyer says, “This is the first time I can remember [this] hard-right senator joining a Democrat to put out an energy-related proposal.
	 
	Judge halts NCAR breakup: In January of this year, we sent more than 7,000 messages to Congress asking our representatives to fully fund National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Congress granted these funds even as the Trump administration vowed to break up NCAR. Earlier this month, a federal judge issued an injunction to stop the NCAR breakup. This is great news! While Congress didn't have the capacity to fully stop the breakup of NCAR, the courts could — and did. Get the full story on CCL Community.


Take action this week
If you have a little time: Ask Congress to prevent budget cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. CCL has kept a close eye on proposed changes to the structure and funding of the U.S. Forest Service. Potential funding changes may impede the resources, personnel, and research capacity needed to prepare for and respond to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and to implement key legislation. Ask your members of Congress to prevent budget cuts to the Forest Service as they work on the 2027 appropriations bills. (If you took this action with us during June’s Monthly Meeting, share the link with your network to encourage friends, family and others to contact their legislators, too!)

If you have more time: Prep for Summer Conference media coverage. CCL’s Summer Conference and Lobby Day is a great opportunity to generate local media coverage — but there are lots of steps in between “great opportunity” and actually getting something published. Now is the time to get started by finding the right media contacts, working with your local chapter and laying the groundwork to build a relationship with your media contacts ahead of the conference. Check out this month’s Action Sheet for more information on perfecting your pitch. And for more guidance on getting started working with reporters, be sure to watch our Generating News Coverage training. 

Featured chapter: CCL Greater Detroit
Over this year’s spring recess, CCL Greater Detroit visited local Congressional offices to drop off peace lilies and a poem about permitting reform.

The chapter wanted their leave-behind gift to be environmentally friendly, and specifically tried to think of ideas that would not be discarded or take a long time to break down. “During chapter meetings, we brainstormed a few things but we all liked the idea of dropping off a plant,” said group leader Julie Budde.

The choice of a peace lily was a direct nod to the chapter members “coming in peace” with only good intentions. As an added bonus, peace lilies actually purify the air around them by trapping toxins, making them a clean air plant perfect to represent a group of CCLers.

Chapter volunteer Hailey Hicks noted that a plant would also likely remain in the office as decor, acting as a visual reminder of the group’s ask for permitting reform support.

Hailey wrote the accompanying poem herself. “I started with one line that I felt emphasized a main idea/goal of CCL and then tried to figure out how to craft another line that would rhyme,” she said. “I altered the word choice as I went, swapping out a synonym where needed to make the poem flow.”

Julie was so impressed by the end product, she worried the office would suspect they had used AI. To combat this, the poem was specifically signed by “the humans of the Greater Detroit CCL chapter.”

“I wanted to be clear that we put time and energy and personalization into this, rather than handing it off for a machine to do,” said Julie.

The drop-offs were a great success. In at least one office, a staffer took extra time to speak with a Greater Detroit chapter member. “It was wonderful to have such a positive reception,” said Hailey.

Read the full poem and find more stories of CCL’s spring drop-off successes in this blog.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events

6/18: Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day Q&amp;A - Are you curious about what to expect about CCL's Summer 2026 Conference and Lobby Days or have a question about any final details? Join Alison Kubicsko, National Events Director, and Mindy Ahler, CCL Congressional Liaison Director, for a final walk-through of the schedule, logistics, and details of the event. Join us! 

6/24: Advocacy Detective Blueprint Co-Working Session - Looking to sharpen your advocacy detective skills and complete your Member of Congress Common Ground Blueprint? Join this informal co-working session where you'll have dedicated time to work on your Advocacy Detective Blueprint alongside fellow volunteers and a CCL staff member. Whether you're just getting started or have questions about researching your member of Congress, identifying authentic connection points, or interpreting what you're finding, this is a chance to get real-time guidance, ask questions, and learn from others. Join us!

6/25: The Scale of Support: Defining the Next Step (BRIDGE Training #6) - We’re still going strong on our deep dive into BRIDGE Unit 2. In this training, we will practice assessing where your Member of Congress stands on one of the policies CCL supports and choosing a realistic next-step ask that strengthens trust and steadily builds political will over time. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Jun 17, 2026 4:42 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:42:42 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/601</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Marc Hafstead announced as Summer Conference Speaker</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/600</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Jun. 10, 2026


We’re excited to announce that Marc Hafstead will join CCL’s 2026 Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day lineup as a featured speaker! 

Marc Hafstead is a fellow at Resources for the Future (RFF) and Director of RFF’s Carbon Pricing Initiative. He joined RFF in 2013 from Stanford University, where he received his PhD in 2011 and then spent two years as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.

Throughout his career, Hafsted has spent considerable time researching  the environmental and economic impacts of carbon taxes, cap-and-trade programs, clean energy standards, and gasoline taxes. At this year’s conference, he will offer his viewpoint on the state of carbon pricing in America and provide a preview of the joint upcoming educational series that our two organizations will be providing starting in the fall. 

This year, CCL has started to re-engage on the topic of carbon pricing. From the newly formed Carbon Pricing Action Team to the volunteer survey on carbon pricing released this spring, we’ve started to determine how we can advocate for this key policy in the current political landscape. We’re looking forward to hearing from Marc Hafstead, who brings a fresh perspective from our allies at Resources for the Future.

We previously announced Jigar Shah as our conference keynote. Shah will tee up a packed day of breakout sessions, Lobby Day preparation, and speakers you won’t want to miss — including Hafstead. 

Register now before the July 9 deadline. We’ll see you in D.C.! 🇺🇸

Register for the Conference

In other news this week:


	Sen. Boozman confirms commitment to FOFA: In a recent Senate Agricultural Committee hearing, Chairman Boozman (R-AR) confirmed his commitment to the Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA) in his opening remarks. In his speech, he thanked the lead co-sponsors from each party as well as the members of Congress who have voted in favor of FOFA. He also pledged, in his role as chairman, to getting the bill across the finish line in the Senate and to the President’s desk to be signed into law. We’re excited to see this good news and commitment  to supporting FOFA on its journey. 
	 
	CCL gains new governing board member: Tech company founder and longtime CCL volunteer Alison Holtzschue officially joined Citizens’ Climate Lobby governing board this month, bringing experience and energy that will support CCL’s success in the coming years.  Alison founded computers dot mom in 1998. She brings decades of experience in nonprofit volunteer fundraising and board service. Welcome Alison!
	 
	June Monthly Meeting: Tune in this Saturday, June 13 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT for June’s Monthly Meeting, featuring guest speaker Tyson Bertone-Riggs of the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience. Bertone-Riggs has a diverse background in forest policy and conservation work and brings experience working for state and federal forestry agencies. Tune in to hear more about Tyson's background and CCL's forestry work.


Take action this week
If you have a little time: Share CCLers’ “first conference” memories. To celebrate the feeling of attending your first conference, we asked a few veteran CCLers to tell us about their first experience at a Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day. Their answers were heartwarming, funny, and relatable to anyone who has walked the halls of Congress for the very first time. Watch the video yourself, then share the link from CCL’s Facebook, X, or Bluesky pages to help us inspire someone new to join us in D.C. this year!

If you have more time: Conduct ‘Advocacy Detective’ work for summer lobbying. When we can talk to a Member of Congress in a way that connects with their worldview and resonates with their moral foundations, we get that much closer to the climate policy progress we want to see. That’s what the Advocacy Detective (BRIDGE Unit 2, Training 2) teaches. By exploring online resources, public polling and much more, you’ll create a “blueprint” of your Member of Congress, which will inform and support your lobby meetings in D.C. in July. Head to the Advocacy Detective training page for a deep dive into all of the resources and steps. 

Featured: CCL St. Joseph / Benton Harbor
Even though CCL’s focus is advancing federal climate action, there’s nothing like a local stewardship event to remind us what we’re working to protect.

This Earth Month, CCL’s St. Joseph / Benton Harbor chapter in Michigan helped clean up litter and did some tabling at the Sustain Ox Creek Clean Up and Earth Day event. 

“Ox Creek is a critical watershed that flows into Lake Michigan and is currently in phases to be cleaned and restored to maintain clean water for the environment and community,” explained Group Leader Angela Valha. “Along with volunteers from the community, we were able to clear litter and trash along the corridor of Ox Creek and several blocks surrounding Benton Harbor.”

Angela added, “Our chapter members are proud of the work we do on the federal level to support climate policy in Congress, but it’s so gratifying to be involved in local ‘boots on the ground’ community events like this that are a puzzle piece in the bigger picture of fighting climate change.”

Way to keep Michigan beautiful! 

Find photos of this chapter and other stories of CCL's 2026 Earth Month outreach in this blog post.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events

6/11: Lobbying with Impact: How to Prepare and Show Up Strong for Your Congressional Meetings - Join CCL Network Director Jon Clark for a training that specifically addresses how to prepare yourself for a successful meeting with a member of Congress. You will learn about CCL's methodology, research tips, available tools, lobby meeting roles and parts, the value of practice, and the power of listening. Join us!

6/18: Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day Q&amp;A - Are you curious about what to expect about CCL's Summer 2026 Conference and Lobby Days or have a question about any final details? Join Alison Kubicsko, National Events Director and Mindy Ahler CCL Congressional Liaison Director for a final walk-through of the who, what, and where for CCL's Conference and Lobby Days to help you prepare for what to expect with the schedule, logistics, and details. Join us! 

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Jun 10, 2026 4:36 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:36:37 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/600</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Permitting reform advanced training series wraps up</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/599</link>
            <description><![CDATA[June 3, 2026


That’s a wrap on CCL’s six-month permitting reform training series! Led by CCL’s Government Affairs and Research Teams and featuring staffers Jennifer Tyler, VP of Government Affairs, and Dana Nuccitelli, Research Manager, this training series was designed to provide an advanced level of training to CCL volunteers interested in advancing smart, clean energy permitting reform policy. 

Thanks to all the volunteers who attended the sessions live and now have a deeper understanding of this important climate policy topic. You’re ready for better communication with peers, community members, local leaders and members of Congress. If you didn’t join the series live — and especially if you’re joining us in Washington, D.C. for this year’s Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day — now is your chance to watch these trainings and ensure you’re confident with these concepts! 

The series has found a permanent home in the Permitting Reform Training Hub on CCL Community. Start with these two introductory trainings:

	Introduction to Permitting Reform Basics: Start here. What are 'permitting' and 'permitting reform,' why does CCL consider it such an important climate solution, and what is the data underpinning that conclusion
	Understanding the Permitting Reform Landscape: Build a solid foundation by understanding the permitting players, politics, problems, and how and why CCL is engaging in this challenging landscape.


Once you have a grasp on the foundations and basic concepts behind permitting reform, you can dive deeper with our advanced trainings.

	Transmission Reform: See why transmission reforms are a crucial climate solution, the details of potential transmission permitting reform provisions, and key messages for congressional offices.
	Build Faster: Learn about permitting reforms to build clean energy infrastructure faster, associated tensions and compromises.
	Fair Permitting Certainty: Understand how Congress can ensure certainty in a permitting reform package.
	Community Engagement: Discover how community engagement may be addressed in the permitting reform process.
	Messaging for Impact: Permitting Reform Wrap-Up: This final session brings everything together with a focus on effective communication.


Check out the full Training Hub on CCL Community to see the full list of available trainings, track your progress, and view other helpful permitting-related resources.

View the Training Hub

In other news this week:


	Sen. Luján sends message to NM Youth: For Earth Day this year, New Mexico CCLers partnered with Taos High School to support a youth climate summit. Both New Mexico senators and several area representatives were invited to participate. Sen. Luján took the extra step of recording a video for the participating students, saying, “You represent the future of climate and energy leadership and the work you’re doing right now truly matters and will make a difference.” Thank you Sen. Luján! The full recording of the message is available here.


Take action this week
If you have a little time: RSVP to June’s Monthly Meeting. We’re excited to announce Tyson Bartone-Riggs of the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience as our featured guest speaker for June’s Monthly Meeting. RSVP to join us June 13 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT for a forestry-focused call. Prior to joining the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience, Tyson worked with the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission and spent five years with the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition as Executive Director and Policy Manager. RSVP now and don’t forget to reach out to your local chapter and check if they have plans to tune in as a group!

If you have more time: Plan your next summer social. Relationships are vital to our CCL work — with our lawmakers, of course, but especially with each other. This month, we encourage you to start planning a summer social event. It could be something low-key that you do in June or early July, or something that requires a little more planning that you get on the calendar for August. Whether it’s a brewery hang, a movie screening, a game night, or a picnic in the park, get creative and get together! Don’t forget to snap a selfie of the event and send it to marketing@citizensclimate.org.

Featured sponsor: Climatize
Putting on our annual Summer Conference and Lobby Day is a big lift, and this year, we’re grateful to have Climatize as one of our Champion Sponsors helping make it happen. 

Climatize is a nonpartisan, climate-focused financial portal that enables individuals and entities to directly invest in renewable energy projects, including solar, battery storage, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. 

Advancing clean energy policy is one of the key ways we are pursuing our organizational policy commitment to reduce emissions, so we’re proud to have the support of Climatize, who is bolstering clean energy in their own way.

Climatize founders Will Wiseman and Alba Forns trace the origins of the company back to their participation in the Fridays for Future movement in 2019. Seeing over 100,000 people fill the streets with hope, determination, and a shared commitment to a better future convinced them that solving climate change would require everyone, not just policymakers and large institutions. 

Climatize was built on that idea: empowering everyday people to participate directly in building the clean energy future they want to see. 

They wanted to capture that hope and motivation, channeling it into meaningful change. So, Will and Alba launched Climatize in 2023. Later that same year, the pair was recognized in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in the Social Impact category. Climatize has now channeled over $17 million in funding for renewable energy projects.

We’d like to thank Climatize for helping make this year’s conference possible!

Disclosure: Investments through Climatize involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Returns are not guaranteed. 

Citizens’ Climate does not formally endorse, promote, or market any corporate sponsor’s products, services, or company. All information shared regarding corporate partners is provided solely for acknowledgment and educational purposes.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events

6/4: AI and Advocacy: Keeping Relationships at the Center - Many volunteers are exploring how AI can support sharper, more strategic climate work. In this special expansion of BRIDGE Training 5: Advocacy Detective, we'll look at how AI can help you better understand your Member of Congress, district dynamics, committee priorities, and trusted messengers. We'll cover practical prompting techniques, how to spot and reduce hallucinations, and what to verify. We'll also briefly discuss AI's energy demand and how CCL approaches it through the lens of clean, reliable energy. The throughline: AI is one more tool to help you become a more thoughtful, informed advocate — not a replacement for the relationships at the heart of CCL's work. Join us!

6/11: Lobbying with Impact: How to Prepare and Show Up Strong for Your Congressional Meetings - Join CCL Network Director Jon Clark for a training that specifically addresses how to prepare yourself for a successful meeting with a member of Congress. You will learn about CCL's methodology, research tips, available tools, lobby meeting roles and parts, the value of practice, and the power of listening. Join us!

6/13: CCL MI State Conference: Building Bridges - Inspiring Action! - If you’re in Michigan, join fellow Michiganders for a day of building relationships and strengthening skills for meaningful climate action! We’ll hear updates on legislation in Lansing and Washington, D.C., including a new bipartisan Balcony Solar bill. We’ll also learn about innovations in Net-Zero housing development, urban forests and native meadows. Hone your bridge-building skills and prepare to lobby in D.C. and meet with Michigan legislators. Registration closes June 8. Join us!
 
To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Jun 4, 2026 12:00 am<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/599</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: How CCLers help create the conditions for climate action</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/598</link>
            <description><![CDATA[May 27, 2026


Do you ever find yourself wondering how exactly our advocacy work translates into real change in Congress? How a lobby meeting, a tabling event, a letter to the editor, or a relationship built over years actually help move climate policy forward?

That’s exactly what we explore in CCL’s recent training on our Theory of Change.

In this special edition BRIDGE training, CCL staff walk through the three conditions we believe are necessary for a Member of Congress to take meaningful action on climate policy: undeniable support, strong conviction, and political safety. 

	When a given climate policy has undeniable support from constituents, it's showing up in visible, consistent ways across different parts of the district. The support is broad, noticeable, and difficult to ignore.
	When a Member of Congress experiences strong conviction around a policy, they're making an internal judgment that the policy is worthwhile and aligned with their sense of what is right or beneficial.
	When it's politically safe to support a policy, that means a Member of Congress judges that it will not harm their political standing—and may even strengthen it—because there is sufficient support or acceptance among their voters and allies.

“As advocates, we’re not just asking members of Congress to support climate policy. We’re actually helping create these three conditions that make their support possible,” explains Brett Cease, CCL's VP of Field Operations.

That's how the work happening in local CCL chapters creates change in Washington — all our volunteers' work on the ground contributes to the conditions lawmakers need to act on climate solutions. 

"I encourage all CCL volunteers to check out this training to get more familiar with these concepts and understand how they can help inform the work we do," Brett added.

Get a clearer picture of how CCL’s advocacy strategy fits together and why we do what we do we do each and every day. Check out the full training for yourself!

Watch the Recording

Take action this week 
If you have a little time: Read and share our Earth Month recap. For most CCLers each year, Earth Month marks the start of outdoor tabling season and tons of local events. During our busiest (and favorite!) month of the year, CCLers were hard at work in their communities. From stress balls to stewardship, take a look at some of the creative endeavors we saw out in the field in April. Then share them with your network on Facebook, X, or Bluesky.

If you have more time: Register and recruit for CCL’s Summer Conference. Every summer, we fill the halls of Congress with CCL volunteers! Itʼs time to start planning to do it again this year at our Summer Conference and Lobby Day (July 26-28, 2026). Register yourself, then post on social media to let your friends know where you’ll be this July. You can also invite others to join you and work out a plan to carpool, share a room, or other cost-cutting measures. With your help, weʼll make this yearʼs event another strong showing in support of climate action.

Featured chapter: CCL Orange County South
CCLers brought an extra dose of fun and creativity to this year’s Earth Month outreach. CCL Orange County South chapter has a presence at the San Clemente Garden Fest each year, thanks to Donna Vidrine, an active CCLer who is also a co-chair of the Garden Fest.

This year, group co-leader Larry Kramer said, “We gave away Earth Day stress balls to everyone who wrote down what they are doing or will do to make the earth a better place. That proved to be a great conversation starter.” People shared a wide range of activities, with a few themes emerging: supporting pollinators and wildlife with gardens, driving electric or hybrid cars, and voting for politicians who support climate action. 

Great work, CCL OC South!

Find this and other stories of CCL's 2026 Earth Month outreach in this blog post.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events

5/28: Messaging for Impact: Permitting Reform Wrap-Up - This final session in our permitting reform training series brings everything together with a focus on effective communication. We’ll recap key concepts across the major topics and highlight tailored messages that resonate with different audiences—including Republican and Democratic offices. Participants will learn how to confidently apply these messages to advance durable permitting solutions. Join us!

5/31: Youth Lobby Skills Training - Whether you are a student age 13-18 who plans to join us in Washington, D.C., this summer or who wants to advocate for changes at your school or in your town, knowing how to lobby effectively is a great skill to have. During this special 2-hour "youth train youth" event from the National Youth Action Team, on May 31 at 4 p.m. ET, students will receive interactive training and plenty of practice on a fun lobbying topic. Questions? Email youth@citizensclimatelobby.org or register now to join us!

6/4: AI and Advocacy: Keeping Relationships at the Center - In this expansion of BRIDGE Training 5: Advocacy Detective, CCL staff will help volunteers understand how AI tools may help you conduct research on your Member of Congress, district dynamics, committee priorities, and trusted messengers. We'll cover practical prompting techniques, how to spot and reduce hallucinations, and what to verify. We'll also briefly discuss AI's energy demand and how CCL approaches it through the lens of clean, reliable energy. The throughline: AI is one more tool to help you become a more thoughtful, informed advocate — not a replacement for the relationships at the heart of CCL's work. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />May 27, 2026 7:08 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 02:08:04 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/598</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: CCL’s Ricky Bradley takes the stage in New York City</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/597</link>
            <description><![CDATA[May 20, 2026


CCL's Executive Director Ricky Bradley recently shared the stage with Bill McKibben for a climate conversation hosted by the Brooklyn Public Library. Moderated by NPR's Rebecca Hersher, the evening focused on understanding climate deniers. 

"The room was filled with enthusiastic attendees, some of them being additional CCL volunteers," says Rob Werner, a co-leader of CCL NYC who attended the event. "Ricky held his own with Bill McKibben, the moderator was well-versed in climate issues, and audience members asked respectful and thought-provoking questions."

We caught up with Ricky after the event, who said he appreciated the chance to share personal stories, reaffirm CCL’s commitment to nonpartisanship, and discuss how to move forward in a polarized political climate.
“It was encouraging to see such thoughtful engagement around a difficult topic,” Ricky said. “These conversations remind us that climate advocacy isn’t about winning arguments. People are hungry for discussions that move beyond division and toward practical climate solutions.”

CCL's presence extended even beyond the stage and the audience. Rob coordinated with the event hosts and other local CCLers to set up an outreach table and connect with the audience even further. CCL Brooklyn co-leads Marc Cesare and Nick Mahedy, as well as CCL Brooklyn's tabling organizer Tarik Hussein, joined Rob to organize and staff the table.

"Two tablers managed the CCL table while two others chatted to exiting attendees, offering a CCL handout with a QR code to all interested in learning more about CCL or joining," Rob says. 

Watch the full conversation between CCL's Ricky Bradley, Third Act's Bill McKibben, and NPR's Rebecca Hersher on YouTube.

Watch the Recording

In other news this week:


	Summer Conference Early Bird closes tomorrow: The Early Bird registration deadline for CCL’s Summer Conference and Lobby Day is TOMORROW! After 11:59 p.m. ET on May 21, rates go up by $50. Don’t miss the savings and join us July 26-28, 2026 in Washington, D.C., for education, connection, and our annual Lobby Day. Register now and save.


Take action this week
If you have a little time: Read and share CCL’s Save Our Sequoias blog update. This month, we’re building support in the Senate for the Save Our Sequoias Act. Supporting legislation like this will help forests keep doing their important work pulling climate pollution out of the atmosphere. Read the latest on CCL’s history of support for this bill and why it would make such a big difference. Then, if you haven’t already, contact your senators in support of Save Our Sequoias. So far, we’ve sent 3,519 messages to Congress. Help us reach our goal of 5,000 contacts!

If you have more time: Catch up on BRIDGE. Have you started CCL’s new BRIDGE training yet? This is a new advocacy series that launched earlier this year, and we’re rolling out new material and a deep-dive training every month. We’ve heard positive feedback from so many trainees and inspiring stories of how the skills they’re learning in BRIDGE are improving their everyday climate conversations. Stay on schedule by watching the April recording of BRIDGE Training #4, which reviews CCL’s Theory of Change and how we can build conditions for congressional action. If you’re already caught up, be sure to attend tomorrow’s BRIDGE Training #5.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events

5/21: The Advocacy Detective: Build Your Common Ground Blueprint (BRIDGE Training #5) - We’re continuing our deep dive training series into each BRIDGE Unit. In this training, you’ll learn how to use practical research tools to understand your Member of Congress’s district realities, incentives, influencers, and language—so your outreach is specific, respectful, and strategically targeted. Join us!

5/28: Messaging for Impact: Permitting Reform Wrap-Up - This final session in our permitting reform training series brings everything together with a focus on effective communication. We’ll recap key concepts across the major topics and highlight tailored messages that resonate with different audiences—including Republican and Democratic offices. Participants will learn how to confidently apply these messages to advance durable permitting solutions. Join us!

6/13: CCL MI State Conference: Building Bridges - Inspiring Action! - If you’re in Michigan, join fellow Michiganders for a day of building relationships and strengthening skills for meaningful climate action! We’ll hear updates on legislation in Lansing and Washington, D.C., including a new bipartisan Balcony Solar bill. We’ll also learn about innovations in Net-Zero housing development, urban forests and native meadows. Hone your bridge-building skills as we prepare for lobbying in D.C. and meeting with our Michigan legislators. Join us!


To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />May 21, 2026 12:00 am<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 07:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/597</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Congressional staffer ‘confident’ that permitting reform will boost clean ...</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/596</link>
            <description><![CDATA[May 13, 2026


Last Saturday’s May Monthly Meeting featured guest speaker Shane Londagin, Senior Policy Advisor for Energy &amp; Climate in Senator Hickenlooper’s (D-CO) office. Sen. Hickenlooper recently introduced a draft bill focused on transmission, and CCLers have been encouraging other congressional offices to review the proposal and participate in bipartisan negotiations around it, so we were excited to hear perspective directly from this office.

In a conversation with CCL Congressional Liaison Director Mindy Ahler, Shane’s message was clear: Permitting reform will pave the way for more clean energy. 

“When we talk about transmission lines, we talk about them as just moving electrons. They’re not moving a specific kind — they’re just moving electrons,” he said. “But when you look at the interconnection queue and see that 93% of projects waiting to be built are clean, it’s pretty clear what electrons they’re going to move. We feel pretty confident that if we build more transmission lines, what is going to get built is clean.”

We appreciated Shane’s insights, but he was quick to let us know he appreciates our work, too! “It’s so inspiring to see all the photos and events and actions that you all are doing at the grassroots level,” he said. “It truly gets me amped up. Knowing that a lot of folks are pushing in the same way as our office and keeping up the good fight is really helpful.”

The full recording of Mindy’s conversation with Shane as well as CCL’s national updates and a review of this month’s Action Sheet is available now. 

Watch the Recording

In other news this week:


	Jigar Shah announced as conference keynote: ICYMI: We’re excited to announce that Jigar Shah will join CCL’s 2026 Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day lineup as a keynote speaker! Shah has spent his career breaking down financial and structural barriers to clean energy deployment. If you’ve followed the news or listened to any podcasts on clean energy over the last few years, you’ve likely seen Shah’s impact. You won’t want to miss the chance to hear his insights firsthand — plan to join us in D.C. for his talk on July 27. Register now before the May 21st Early Bird deadline and we’ll see you in D.C.!
	FOFA Study in Science: A new study published in “Science” finds that wildfire management saves money, bolstering the case for the Fix Our Forest Act. The study, led by UC Davis scientists, found that U.S. Forest Service wildfire management saves about $3.42 for every $1 spent. Find the link to the full study and an analysis from CCL Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli on the Nerd Corner. And don’t forget to write your senator in support of FOFA!


Take action this week
If you have a little time: Ask your senator to cosponsor the Save Our Sequoias Act. The bipartisan Save Our Sequoias Act passed the House with unanimous consent in March and has officially been introduced in the Senate. We took action to support the bill during last Saturday’s Monthly Meeting, but if you weren’t able to attend live, you can take the action now. Ask your senators to support the bill, because even though sequoias themselves are primarily in California, these forest management practices are important nationwide, and forests do important work to remove climate pollution from the atmosphere. As our messages add up, they will signal more and more support for smart forest management to Congress, which can pave the way for additional national legislation in this important area. 

If you have more time: Work on getting a letter from a trusted messenger. As we look ahead to this summerʼs Lobby Day, now is the time to start thinking about letters from trusted messengers. When trusted messengers express their support for climate policies, it can strengthen the conditions necessary for a Member of Congress to act. This year, we’re collecting letters of support from trusted messengers on permitting reform. Work with your chapter to follow the step-by-step process in CCL’s May Action Sheet, or watch our latest training on Building Relationships With County Commissioners As Trusted Messengers for inspiration.

Featured: CCL Palouse
By: Aruzhan Sakhariyanova, CCL Communications Intern

The CCL Palouse chapter, which includes members from both Washington and Idaho, celebrated Earth Month with an incredible electrification event. On April 4, the chapter hosted its first-ever Palouse Region Energy Efficiency and Electrification Fair, which brought together around 20 sponsors and more than 30 exhibitors. 

More than 350 people attended the fair, which connected residents with businesses and organizations offering practical ways to cut energy costs and reduce emissions. Displays ranged from high-efficiency HVAC systems and insulation to community solar, electric lawn equipment, and Energy Star appliances.

The event also featured presentations from local university and high school students. Notably, attendees heard from Moscow High School students currently organizing an effort to install solar panels on a Moscow School District building.
 
“Our goal is to reduce emissions through community outreach,” chapter co-leader Leonard Garrison explained. “When people see what’s possible—whether it’s heat pumps, induction stoves, or solar—they’re more likely to take action.”

With a steady presence across the region, CCL Palouse volunteers regularly speak at schools, civic groups, and local organizations, including the League of Women Voters and regional building associations. In September 2025, the chapter also co-hosted an Electric Transportation Fair which allowed another 350+ attendees to get the lowdown on electric cars and trucks and test-ride electric bicycles.
 
After the success of these events and the Electrification Fair, the chapter is now exploring further community opportunities.

“It was about bringing the public and industry together to share real solutions,” said chapter co-leader Judy Meuth. “People leave with ideas they can actually implement in their homes and communities.”

Keep up the great work in the Northwest, CCL Palouse!

CCL has more than 350 chapters across the country. Find your local chapter today and get plugged in.

Find My Chapter

Upcoming trainings and events

5/14: From Simulation to Story: Leveraging En-ROADS Updates for Impactful Community Climate Presentations - En-ROADS allows users to test solutions—from clean energy to carbon pricing—and see real-time impacts on global temperature, air quality, and economic outcomes, making it a powerful tool for education and engagement. Join Katherine Markova of Climate Interactive for an engaging training on the latest updates to the En-ROADS climate simulator and how to bring its insights to life in your community. Join us!

5/21: The Advocacy Detective: Build Your Common Ground Blueprint (BRIDGE Training #5) - We’re continuing our deep dive training series into each BRIDGE Unit. In this training, you’ll learn how to use practical research tools to understand your Member of Congress’s district realities, incentives, influencers, and language—so your outreach is specific, respectful, and strategically targeted. Join us!

5/27: Inclusion Workshop - Deep Dive into the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Movement, presented by American Pride Rises Network - CCL’s May Inclusion Workshop will feature members from the American Pride Rises Network. This interactive presentation will provide a much deeper understanding of the roots of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the civil rights movement. Workshops like this are one way we continue to bring awareness of different issues to all our volunteers and foster a sense of belonging to our organization, as described in CCL's core value of diversity. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />May 14, 2026 3:24 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 22:24:50 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/596</guid>
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