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        <pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:55:00 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Support BAAJA with these three new resources</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/617</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Oct. 7, 2026


Following its introduction in the Senate last week, Citizens’ Climate Lobby is proud to endorse the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA) of 2026.

Yesterday, CCL held an all-supporter call to brief volunteers on the bill and provide brand new resources to help promote it within our local communities. 

The call started with a reminder of CCL’s work on permitting reform up to this point. Since we began our permitting reform advocacy in 2023, our volunteers have organized 2,071 lobby meetings with bipartisan permitting reform as their primary topic, and they’ve mobilized more than 68,500 calls and messages to keep Congress moving toward that goal.

Throughout the process, CCL’s Government Affairs staff stayed in constant communication with key offices on the Hill, including with special efforts such as briefing  Climate Solutions Caucus staff on permitting reform.

We stayed persistent, respectful, and steadfast, advancing the conversation and becoming a resource for Senate offices on permitting reform — now we finally have the type of bill we’ve been lobbying for!

CCL’s Government Affairs and Research staff reviewed and evaluated BAAJA against our permitting principles. We’ve consistently asked Congress to address four things in a comprehensive permitting package: transmission reform, building faster, fair permitting certainty, and community engagement. BAAJA includes provisions for all four.

Despite tradeoffs, this bill will significantly reduce emissions, accelerate clean energy deployment, and lower electricity costs. CCL has endorsed, and now we’re ready to mobilize.

To support BAAJA, CCL staff have created several resources for volunteers now available in our BAAJA toolkit:


	BAAJA fact sheet: An overview of BAAJA to help familiarize yourself with the legislation and how it stacks up against CCL's own permitting reform priorities.
	Tabling handout: A one-pager available to help you introduce BAAJA to people at community events and prompt them to contact Congress in support.
	LTE guidance: Talking points so you can write an effective letter to the editor about BAAJA and submit it to your local paper. 

Additionally, be sure to mark your calendar for CCL’s Oct. 15 media training, which will explain how to engage with local media on BAAJA, and an Oct. 22 training on the bill, which will dive further into the policy itself — what's in it, why CCL supports it, and some of the more complicated questions you're likely to encounter.

We know this legislation has a journey ahead of it. So as BAAJA moves through the process ahead, you can trust there will be additional action opportunities for CCL supporters to make a difference every step of the way.

We've spent years helping create the conditions for a bipartisan permitting bill like this. Now let's turn that work into the political will Congress needs to get it across the finish line. 

Check out the BAAJA toolkit

Take action this week
If you have a little time: Share social media posts about BAAJA. Share the news! Repost CCL’s endorsement of BAAJA on X or Bluesky. Then visit our spread the word page where you’ll find links to more content on the social media platform of your choice. For maximum impact, remember to share your thoughts alongside each post and tell your network why you support BAAJA.

If you have more time: Attend this Saturday’s Monthly Meeting. This month’s meeting will feature guest speaker Sara Peach, Editor-in-Chief of Yale Climate Connections. As an award-winning environmental journalist, Sara will share her experiences as a writer and explain what it takes to write a story about the climate that people actually want to read. We’ll also review highlights from this past month and review October’s Action Sheet. Tune in this Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. ET 10 a.m. PT.

Upcoming trainings

10/15: Media Opportunities - Fall 2026 - Join CCL's Communications &amp; Media Manager Charlotte Ward for a training that will provide a broad overview of the opportunities chapters have as we enter into the fall of 2026 to engage with their local news media on climate solutions, especially with the recent introduction of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act. Join us!

10/22: Dive into the Details of BAAJA - CCL has endorsed the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA) – the kind of bipartisan comprehensive permitting reform bill that we have spent the past four years advocating for. Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for a training that will explore the nitty gritty details of what's in the bill, how it will impact clean energy and the climate, and examine some of the opposition. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Oct 7, 2026 3:37 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2026 22:37:10 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Major bipartisan permitting package introduced in the Senate</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/616</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Sept. 30, 2026


After years of mobilization, training, lobby meetings, local media, and more, we’ve reached a major milestone today: A bipartisan group of Senators has introduced a comprehensive bipartisan permitting reform package.  

The effort to develop this bill, named the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, has been led by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Mike Lee (R-UT) and their staff. CCL’s Government Affairs staff has been in close communication with Environment and Public Works and Energy and Natural Resources Committee staff on both sides of the aisle throughout this process. 

CCL has lobbied for permitting reform since 2022, with our grassroots volunteers and Government Affairs staff working in partnership to build support in local communities and on Capitol Hill. 

“Our volunteers have been so persistent on this issue, consistently working to build local support for permitting reform and show that support to their Members of Congress,” said Brett Cease, CCL’s VP of Field Operations, in a statement today. 

Federal permitting reform is vital to loosen the bottleneck slowing down new energy projects — around 90% of which are clean energy — from being built and connected to the grid. 

“We’re digging into the bill text now to compare it with available modeling and understand what it will mean for clean energy deployment, transmission buildout, and reducing emissions,” said Jennifer Tyler, CCL’s VP of Government Affairs. 

This is a huge milestone in our advocacy for permitting reform, and we’ll be sharing more guidance soon about our position on the bill and what next steps our advocacy will take.

In the meantime, read and share CCL's official statement on the bill release via Facebook.

Read and share CCL's statement

Take action this week
If you have a little time: RSVP to CCL’s next Town Hall. Join us Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT for our CCL’s next Town Hall with CCL Executive Director Ricky Bradley. Attendees will hear organizational updates from leadership, followed by time for audience questions. All are welcome, especially CCL supporters just starting their CCL journey, or finding their role! Submit your questions ahead of time to conference.inbox@citizensclimate.org.

If you have more time: Attend part 2 of our Carbon Pricing Education Series. The series continues tomorrow, Oct. 1, starting at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT. This second session will cover some recent research from series partner Resources for the Future on the carbon pricing/affordability nexus, including research that shows how carbon price revenues can actually improve affordability. Attendance is free and the event is open to the public. Catch up on part 1, then RSVP for part 2.

Featured: Illinois State Conference, Oct. 17-18
CCL only gathers for our national conference once each year. But state conferences are an excellent way to meet local CCLers and recreate that conference magic outside of D.C. This year, Illinois is planning a two-day event Oct. 17-18 at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL.

"From the moment the seed of the idea for a state conference was planted in our brains, we wanted to build something unique to our volunteers here in Illinois,” explained Illinois State Coordinator Alex Marianyi. “We wanted to focus on building relationships — with our members of Congress, with our communities, and most importantly, with each other.”

With that in mind, the team got to work planning a two-day event with a stacked agenda. Conference attendees will be treated to sessions like “Moral Foundations Goes to the Movies” and “The Local Impacts of Climate Change” featuring a local meteorologist. 

“We've got three simultaneous breakouts on day 2 that are all art-focused,” said Alex. “‘Climate Collage &amp; Card Making,’ ‘Your Guide to Writing Climate Fiction,’ and ‘Climate Improv.’ One of our programming team members said he was excited because having to choose one of three art-focused breakouts was definitely going to push him outside of his comfort zone.”

The speaker lineup also includes familiar CCL faces, including VP of Field Operations Brett Cease and Executive Director Ricky Bradley! 

All are welcome to attend this year’s State Conference, whether or not they are a CCL volunteer. Out of state folks are welcome, too, with CCLers from the nearby states of Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio already invited! The deadline to register is Oct. 16, and discounted tickets are available for students. 

View the full agenda and register for the Illinois State Conference here.

Inclusion Conference recordings
Recordings from this year’s Inclusion Conference, presented by the People of the Global Majority Action Team, are available on CCL’s YouTube channel.


Solidarity in Practice: Bridging Divides Through Real Conversations, featuring The Honorable Ruth Cross Kwansing - Drawing from the lived reality of Kiribati on the frontlines of climate change, Hon. Ruth Cross Kwansing shares Pacific wisdom on unity, resilience, and meaningful dialogue. This address explores what solidarity looks like in practice: centering voices furthest from power, staying at the table across divides, and turning dialogue into tangible action. Watch the recording.

Sunlight as Common Ground: Building Energy Solidarity Across Borders, featuring Arturo Massol-Deyá - From a mountain town in Puerto Rico, Casa Pueblo’s community-led energy transition shows how shared infrastructure, interconnected solar microgrids, forests, and water can turn conflict and crisis into living well together. Watch the recording.

Diversity: Gift, Invitation and Challenge, featuring Caroljean Willie, SC, Ph.D. - This presentation highlights the gift that diversity is, but also the invitation to embrace it, and the challenges that need to be addressed. Many of the concepts “Sister CJ” discusses will sound familiar to CCLers who have taken our BRIDGE training! Watch the recording.

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Sep 30, 2026 5:15 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:15:09 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Celebrating an Inclusion Conference presented by the PGM Action Team</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/615</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Sept. 23, 2026 


This past weekend, CCL’s People of the Global Majority (PGM) Action Team came together to present their fifth annual Inclusion Conference, this year on the theme of "Solidarity in Practice: Bridging Divides Through Real Conversations."

The conference created space for CCLers to connect, learn, and practice the skills needed to build stronger relationships across differences. The weekend began with a Friday evening reception and continued Saturday with a full day of conversations and learning. 

The day was packed with poetry, storytelling, and speakers. The closing keynote from Ama Agyapong, CEO and Principal Training Strategist for Inclusion Enterprises, titled “Well That Went Left: Embracing Emotional Responses to Feedback with Civility” was a major highlight, offered exclusively for attendees who joined the conference live.

Ama explained the importance of feedback and how to embrace it in order to grow as a person. “Feedback is measured by the listener’s ear and not the speaker’s mouth,” she said. “We must realize how we show up in these conversations. When someone challenges your approach, what story does your mind immediately tell you?”

Other highlights included a presentation on diversity from Sister Caroljean Willie, SC, Ph.D. and a discussion on resilience and climate impacts from The Honorable Ruth Cross Kwansing, member of Parliament for the Republic of Kiribati. And of course, every year the collaborative Inclusion Conference Spotify playlist is always a hit.

Thank you to all our speakers! And thank you to everyone who showed up ready to listen, learn, and engage in the real conversations that strengthen our movement.

Missed the conference? Recordings from most of Saturday’s sessions are available now on YouTube.

Watch the recordings 

In other news this week:


	“An accidental carbon tax”: A recent story from Yale Climate Connections Editor-in-Chief Sara Peach explores the idea that increasingly high oil prices have accidentally created a pseudo carbon price in America. We’re excited to have Sara join CCL’s October Monthly Meeting as a guest speaker, where she will share her perspectives on climate storytelling and journalism. Save the date for Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.


Take action this week
If you have a little time: Share a new video from Danny Richter. Part 2 of our Carbon Pricing Education Series will take place Thursday, Oct. 1. This second session covers affordability and distributional impacts related to carbon pricing, including research that shows how carbon price revenues can actually improve affordability. This free event is open to the public. Help us get the word out by sharing a promotional video from CCL Policy Fellow Dr. Danny Richter to your network on Facebook, Instagram, X, or Bluesky.

If you have more time: Write a letter to the editor (LTE) about wildfires. Wildfires and wildfire smoke that we've seen across much of the country this year continue to make headlines and spur conversation on social media. This is a good time to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to help channel peopleʼs concern and attention toward action and solutions — namely, the Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA). Need guidance? Check out the September Action Sheet for step-by-step instructions or post questions in the Media Relations forum on CCL Community.

Upcoming trainings

9/24: The Art of Climate Storytelling (BRIDGE Training #9) - Join us for our final, deep-dive BRIDGE training. Discover how to craft and confidently share personal, values-based stories that make climate solutions feel real, human, and worth acting on. Learn the four kinds of climate stories CCL volunteers rely on most and how to make the “climate pivot” that connects your story to a specific ask. Join us!

10/1: Carbon Pricing Education Series Session 2: Affordability and distributional impacts - Join us for the second installment of our Carbon Pricing Education Series in partnership with Resources for the Future (RFF)! A central consideration for policymakers today is affordability. This webinar will cover some recent research from RFF on the carbon pricing/affordability nexus, including research that shows how carbon price revenues can actually improve affordability. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Sep 23, 2026 5:19 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:19:16 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: CCL gets out the climate vote</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/614</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Sept. 16, 2026


Election season is in full swing, and CCL volunteers across the country are finding ways to engage voters, candidates, and their communities on climate and clean energy. At our September Monthly Meeting, we spoke with volunteers about some of the election engagement activities happening across CCL. 

Election Engagement Action Team (EEAT) leader Mike Holler detailed how his team builds relationships with candidates ahead of the election results. “We’re trying to make sure they're aware of CCL and how important the climate issue is in the constituency as they potentially head into office,” he explained.

Mike and his Chicago chapter have held several meetings with candidates to encourage them to connect climate to issues they’re already focusing on in their campaign, like energy affordability. 

Dave Carta, of the New Jersey Raritan Valley CCL chapter, gets involved every election season as a volunteer phone banker. In partnership with the Environmental Voter Project, CCLers can hop on the phone to call potential climate voters and encourage them to vote in this election.

“Phone banking is great because no matter where you are, you can get involved,” said Dave. “Every phone bank starts with training, so people shouldn't worry if they haven't done it before. They'll get trained right up front.”

Phone banking sessions occur every week through the election, every Wednesday from 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. Sessions last 90 minutes.

Finally, Arkansas state co-coordinator Jan Schaper shared her experiences with postcarding, where CCL chapter members get together and hand write encouraging postcards to lapsed voters.

“An important goal is building up the number of people who are climate voters who are actually participating in elections,” said Jan. “It’s really important to have a robust electorate with many people taking part.”

So far, CCLers in nearly 40 states have prepared over 20,000 postcards to potential climate voters. Jan confirmed a postcarding party is one of her favorite ways to bond with local chapter members. CCL’s September Action Sheet explains how to host a postcarding party of your own.

It’s not too late to get involved this election season! If any of the activities mentioned above sound interesting to you, but you aren’t sure where to start, drop a message in the EEAT Community forums. A team member will connect you to the right resources. 

Of course, election engagement was just one part of our September meeting. We also shared national updates, reported on highlights from across CCL, and took action together. If you missed it, the full recording is available now.

Watch Sept.'s Monthly Meeting

Take action this week 
If you have a little time: Write your senators about FOFA. As of the end of June 2026, over 3 million acres had already burned in U.S. wildfires. That’s more than 50% above the average of the past decade. The Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA) can help by supporting smart wildfire management practices in the U.S., but it still hasn’t come up for a vote in the full Senate. Help reinforce the need for FOFA by sending an email to your senators today.

If you have more time: Attend this weekend’s virtual Inclusion Conference. The Inclusion Conference presented by CCL’s People of the Global Majority Action Team will take place this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18-19. This free event begins with a reception on Friday evening where attendees can share and connect. On Saturday, expect a day of storytelling, poetry, education and programming designed to bridge divides across perspectives and forge connections rooted in solidarity. Check out the full schedule for event times and register to attend.

Upcoming trainings
9/24: The Art of Climate Storytelling (BRIDGE Training #9) - Join us for our final, deep-dive BRIDGE training. Discover how to craft and confidently share personal, values-based stories that make climate solutions feel real, human, and worth acting on. Learn the four kinds of climate stories CCL volunteers rely on most and how to make the “climate pivot” that connects your story to a specific ask. Join us!

10/1: Carbon Pricing Education Series Session 2: Affordability and distributional impacts - Join us for the second installment of our Carbon Pricing Education Series in partnership with Resources for the Future (RFF)! A central consideration for policymakers today is affordability. This webinar will cover some recent research from RFF on the carbon pricing/affordability nexus, including research that shows how carbon price revenues can actually improve affordability. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Sep 16, 2026 2:53 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 21:53:16 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Watch the first session in our carbon pricing series</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/613</link>
            <description><![CDATA[ Sept. 9, 2026


What exactly is carbon pricing, and why do economists so often point to it as an effective climate solution?

Last week, CCL’s new six-part Carbon Pricing Education Series with Resources for the Future got underway to answer that question and many more. More than 400 people attended the first session this past Thursday night, where Dr. Marc Hafstead focused on the economics of carbon pricing. Marc is a fellow at RFF and the Director of their Carbon Pricing Initiative.

Carbon pricing puts a price on pollution, allowing market forces to help drive emissions reductions. “The economic case for carbon pricing is that it creates revenues,” Marc explained. “Which is much different than any other regulations or direct government investment that would actually lose money for the government.”

The session also covered pros and cons to some of the major, existing approaches to carbon pricing, including cap and trade and carbon taxes, and the advantages and challenges of each. 

Another important takeaway was that evaluating carbon pricing isn't always as simple as looking at emissions before and after a policy is implemented. Economic conditions, energy markets, and other policies can all affect emissions at the same time. 

That's where economic modeling comes in. Economists can use different models to estimate how proposed policies could affect emissions, the economy, households, and different regions.

“When we are evaluating a policy, what do economists look for?” Marc asked. “We look for efficiency. What are the costs of the reductions? And then we look at the distributional effects. How are the costs distributed across the economy?”

That question of distribution will be especially important as the series continues. Carbon pricing isn't just about how much emissions a policy can reduce. It's also about designing a policy that works for people across different income levels and geographic regions.

Marc concluded his talk saying, “I think it's reasonable to say that carbon pricing is, with a few exceptions, the most cost-effective way of reducing emissions, especially at a moderate to large scale.”

That's just the beginning. The six-part series will continue with five more sessions on the first Thursday of the month, each exploring the real-world evidence and economics behind carbon pricing and how policy design can address concerns about affordability and distribution. You can RSVP for future sessions here.

Missed the first session? Watch the recording to get the carbon pricing basics and learn why economists see pricing pollution as such a powerful tool for cutting emissions.

Watch Session 1 on YouTube

In other news this week:


	Progress on permitting reform: A bipartisan pair of representatives just introduced a new House bill to streamline the approval of interstate transmission projects. The bill is called the CLEAR Act, led by Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA-50) and Gabe Evans (R-CO-8). It’s great to see this bill enter the conversation, because transmission is one of the critical pieces needed to ensure that permitting reform reduces emissions in a major way. Here at CCL, we’re excited to see this bill come on the scene, and we will continue to advocate for a comprehensive package that includes transmission improvements like this.
	 
	Inclusion Conference Sept. 18-19: Registration is open for the Inclusion Conference presented by CCL’s People of the Global Majority Action Team! This free, virtual event takes place on Sept. 18-19, and all CCLers are invited. Attendees can expect a day of storytelling, poetry, education and programming designed to bridge divides across perspectives and forge connections rooted in solidarity. Check out the full schedule and register to attend.


Take action this week 
If you have a little time: RSVP to Part 2 of our Carbon Pricing Education Series. Part one was just the beginning! Save the date and RSVP to the second installment of our Carbon Pricing Education Series on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. This session will cover some recent research from Resources for the Future on the carbon pricing/affordability nexus, including research that shows how carbon price revenues can actually improve affordability. 

If you have more time: Host a postcarding party to encourage voting. Research shows that a friendly touchpoint from a trusted source is one of the best ways to drive voter turnout. Ahead of this year’s midterm elections, we’re writing and sending postcards to unlikely voters to encourage them to vote this year and, just maybe, help transform them into regular voters! If your chapter wants to get involved, check with your CCL State Coordinator to see if your state is one of the 25 already signed up. Your State Coordinator can also direct you to the postcarding point person for your state. Get started and plan your postcarding party using the guidance in the September Action Sheet..

Upcoming trainings &amp; ecents

Every Wednesday: Live Informational Session - CCL holds a live informational session every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, helping new volunteers understand what CCL does and how we do it. Plan to join us next week, or invite a friend who cares about climate change and wants to get involved.

9/24: The Art of Climate Storytelling (BRIDGE Training #9) - Join us for our final, deep-dive BRIDGE training. Discover how to craft and confidently share personal, values-based stories that make climate solutions feel real, human, and worth acting on. Learn the four kinds of climate stories CCL volunteers rely on most and how to make the “climate pivot” that connects your story to a specific ask. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Sep 9, 2026 1:05 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 20:05:26 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: RSVP for September’s Monthly Meeting: Election Season Edition</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/612</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Sept. 2, 2026


Every month, CCL hosts a Zoom meeting for all of our supporters to learn and get organized for the month ahead. This September, we're putting a special focus on campaign season and how you can elevate the climate issue and the voices of climate voters from now through Election Day.

Next Saturday, you’ll hear from CCLers on the front lines of this work with our Election Engagement Action team. 


	Jan S. will share how she and CCLers across Arkansas are writing postcards encouraging people to vote.
	Dave C. will give us a window into phonebanking with the Environmental Voter Project.
	Mike H. will tell stories and give tips from candidate engagement work in Chicago that you can put in practice anywhere in the country.

Plan to attend so you can hear what’s happening across CCL ahead of the midterm elections in November, and learn how to participate in the weeks leading up to Election Day.

And because our Monthly Meetings are a chance to celebrate our successes, we’ll share national and volunteer highlights from the past month. Plus, we’ll complete a live action together during the meeting.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. ET/ 10 a.m. PT. We hope to see you there! 

I'll be at the Monthly Meeting!

In other news this week:


	Carbon Pricing Series Part 1: The first of six sessions in our Carbon Pricing Education Series will take place Thursday, Sept. 3. This first session,  “Current economic consensus on carbon pricing,” will provide a baseline foundation for everyone, both newcomers and longtime advocates. Experts from Resources for the Future will share what decades of data tell us about carbon pricing's effectiveness, and the key design choices policymakers face. RSVP on CCL Community and invite others from your chapter or network to join you. (Want a taste of the series? Watch the kickoff conversation between CCL and RFF from our Summer Conference at the end of July!)
	 
	Inclusion Conference coming up this month: Registration is now open for the Inclusion Conference presented by CCL’s People of the Global Majority Action Team! This free, virtual event takes place on Sept. 18-19. Check out the program and plan to attend.
	 
	Permitting reform: In a recent summit in South Dakota, Senate Majority Leader Thune reiterated that he will make permitting reform a priority for floor time when the Senate reconvenes later this month. Sen. Thune was quoted as saying, “As soon as [lawmakers] are ready to go, we’ll put it on the floor” of the Senate for a vote. We’re ready to see some bipartisan action on this critical topic!


Take action this week:
If you have a little time: Check your voter registration status. We want #ClimateVoters to show up during this year's midterms and make it clear to every candidate that climate is a priority issue in their area. The voter registration deadlines varies depending on the state you live in. Make sure you’re ready to vote by checking your registration status at cclusa.org/vote. Then, pass the link on to friends and family to make sure they’re ready to cast a ballot, too. 

If you have more time: Attend a letter-to-the-editor writing party. CCL’s monthly virtual LTE writing party takes place Thursday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. During the session, CCL staffer Charlotte Ward will teach you the "LTE formula" and provide talking points for your letter that align with CCL’s latest call to action. Afterwards, you will have 20 minutes of focused time to start your LTE during the call. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned letter writer, come write with fellow CCLers—and take advantage of the power of local media.

Featured: Washington Barnstorming Tour
By Bill Barron, CCL Network Director

Bill wrote the following reflection following his recent bike tour through the state of Washington. He visited several CCL chapters and met with local volunteers for biking, picnics and camaraderie. 

I believe one of the things we should strive for is to try to make advocacy fun, and make it a lifetime practice. The recent WA Barnstorming Tour Aug. 19-25 was another step in this direction. 

What made it special wasn’t simply the events themselves, but the people and relationships deepened by connecting in person. CCLers from across the Seattle area came together for a series of gatherings surrounding the multi-chapter picnic, CCL Washington Leaders’ Retreat, and the 2026 Washington Climate Ride for CCL.

As a Network Director, it was a special treat to savor the Pacific Northwest by bicycle. But even more rewarding was being out in the field, sitting down with volunteers/friends, sharing stories, and experiencing firsthand the enthusiasm and dedication that make CCL such a remarkable team/family.

CCL has created such a powerful model for advocacy—one built on respectful conversations, persistence, and hope. But ultimately, it is the relationships we build with one another that hold everything together. I try to look at advocacy as friendship, adventure, and shared purpose. All that was on display in the Pacific Northwest!
Upcoming trainings &amp; events
9/24: The Art of Climate Storytelling (BRIDGE Training #9) - Join us for our final, deep-dive BRIDGE training. Discover how to craft and confidently share personal, values-based stories that make climate solutions feel real, human, and worth acting on. Learn the four kinds of climate stories CCL volunteers rely on most and how to make the “climate pivot” that connects your story to a specific ask. Join us!

9/18 - 9/19: Inclusion Conference presented by the People of the Global Majority Action Team - This year’s virtual Inclusion Conference will focus on bridging divides across perspectives, forging connections rooted in solidarity and honest conversations that advance communities. The conference is designed and hosted by the People of the Global Majority Action Team, which includes Black, Indigenous, and People of Color at Citizens' Climate Lobby. It is supported by the members of CCL's Affinity Teams. This virtual conference is free and open to anyone who wants to be in community and in solidarity with the people of the global majority regardless of background. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Sep 2, 2026 2:58 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Learn from the experts on carbon pricing in this free, virtual series</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/611</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Aug. 26, 2026


CCL has a long, proud history of advocating for carbon pricing policies. But the landscape has changed quite a bit since our earlier advocacy days — which stretch all the way back to 2009!

To date, more than 120 jurisdictions around the world have actually put a price on carbon into law. Carbon prices in other countries can offer helpful lessons, and the conversation here at home is shaped by different influences than in decades past. We now have an enormous amount of real-world evidence about what "good" actually looks like when a carbon price leaves the page and makes contact with real politics. 

To ground our advocacy in the latest and most accurate carbon pricing research, CCL has partnered with Resources for the Future to launch a brand new learning series. This six-part series features topics informed by more than 500 volunteer Carbon Pricing Survey responses this past spring.

Sessions will be held virtually on the first Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, with one each scheduled in September, October, November, January, February and March. The first, “Current economic consensus on carbon pricing” will take place Thursday, Sept. 3.

This kickoff will provide a baseline foundation for everyone, whether you’re new to carbon pricing or have been advocating for it for years. You’ll hear how leading researchers approach the policy, what decades of data tell us about its effectiveness, and the key design choices policymakers face.

RSVP on CCL Community and invite others from your chapter or network to join you.

Let’s learn! 🧠⚡

In other news this week:


	Inclusion Conference: Registration is now open for the virtual Inclusion Conference, presented by the People of the Global Majority Action Team. This year’s event, Solidarity in Practice: Bridging Divides Through Real Conversations, will take place Sept. 18-19, with a reception on Friday evening and the full conference program on Saturday. Attendance is free. View the event program and register now to secure your spot. 
	 
	Hawk Fire: Wildfire season continues to rage. This week, more than 90,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as the Hawk Fire spreads in southern Nevada. To better protect people from these growing risks, CCL has supported a fully funded U.S. Forest Service and passage of the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act. If you are impacted by the Hawk Fires or concerned about the spread of wildfires in the U.S., tell your members of Congress! Use our action tool to send an email to your representatives.


Take action this week
If you have a little time: Send in your chapter activity photos. As summer winds down, take a look back through your camera roll. If you find any photos of your chapter’s outreach activities, please send them to marketing@citizensclimate.org. CCL’s Marketing &amp; Communications team uses these photos often, and can never have too many! If you didn’t get a chance to take photos this year, designate a chapter member to be in charge of photo capture for future events, including any upcoming fall tabling you may have planned. 

If you have more time: Engage with election season. For the 2026 election season, CCLʼs Election Engagement Action Team (EEAT) is focused on helping volunteers take meaningful, nonpartisan action in three main areas: connecting with candidates, supporting voter turnout, and strengthening grassroots engagement. To get started, explore our Campaign Season Activities training. If you missed the EEAT training on 2026 election engagement activities, watch it here. You may also want to attend the next EEAT training, How to Host a Voter Research Party for the 2026 Midterm Elections Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Upcoming trainings and events

8/26: Greenhouse Gas Removal Action Team: How Can We Remove Carbon Pollution? - Join us as we welcome former CCL staffer and carbon removal expert Donald Addu for an open discussion on the challenges and opportunities of carbon removal. With firsthand experience selling carbon credits, Donald will discuss the difference between carbon neutral and NetZero, reduction vs removal of CO2, the science behind different technologies, and how policy can influence the markets. Join us!
 

9/9: September LTE Workshop - If you’re looking for a new way to get in touch with your representative, consider writing your own letter to the editor (LTE) or op-ed.  To help you get started, join our LTE-writing party via Zoom. During the session, you will learn the "LTE formula" and receive talking points for your letter that align with CCL’s latest call to action. Afterwards, you will have 20 minutes of focused time to start your LTE during the call. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned letter writer, come write with us—and take advantage of the power of local media. Join us!
 
To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Aug 27, 2026 12:00 am<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 07:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/611</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Member of Congress responds to CCL letter in local newspaper </title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/610</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Aug. 19, 2026


What happens when you write a letter to the editor (LTE) about an issue you care about? Your member of Congress might just write one back!

That’s exactly what happened to Charlotte Reith, a CCL volunteer in the Perrysburg, OH chapter. In late July, Charlotte wrote an LTE published in The Toledo Blade about permitting reform. Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05) saw the letter and published a response of his own via the same newspaper less than a week later! 

In her LTE, Charlotte outlined why permitting reform is necessary for America and detailed the impact of rising energy demand on Ohioans. She ended by encouraging readers to contact their elected officials in support of permitting reform. 

A week later, Rep. Latta published his own LTE about permitting reform, which he opened by saying, “I would like to thank Charlotte from Bowling Green for her insightful letter to the editor published on Tuesday.” Rep. Latta went on to share his support for permitting reform and his work to improve energy security and grid reliability. 

“I was excited and pleasantly surprised to see that Congressman Latta responded to my letter,” said Charlotte. “Even though I don't share the Congressman's political affiliations, it was a great reminder that there are still possibilities for common ground when it comes to climate and energy, even when you may not be expecting them.”

The exchange is an excellent, real-world reminder that members of Congress and their staff really do pay attention to local media, especially when constituents mention them and the issues they’re working on.

If you’re looking for a new way to get in touch with your representative, consider writing your own letter-to-the-editor or op-ed.  To help you get started, CCL offers a monthly LTE-writing party via Zoom. 

During the session, you will learn the "LTE formula" and receive talking points for your letter that align with CCL’s latest call to action. Afterwards, you will have 20 minutes of focused time to start your LTE during the call. (In some cases, it takes only 20 minutes to write a full LTE!)

Mark your calendars for the next LTE party on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned letter writer, come write with us—and take advantage of the power of local media.

Join the party 📝

In other news this week:


	Clean energy on the rise: Over 90% of new power capacity built in the U.S. in the first half of 2026 was clean! The latest U.S. Energy Information Administration data, analyzed by Inside Climate News, shows solar, wind, and battery storage are doing the heavy lifting to help America meet its energy demands. Fun fact: Out of all 50 states, Texas brought the most new clean energy online over the last six months!


Take action this week
If you have a little time: Invite your network to learn about carbon pricing. In partnership with Resources for the Future, CCL is hosting a new education series about carbon pricing! The first of six sessions, “Current economic consensus on carbon pricing,” takes place Thursday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Sign up for the series yourself and begin to spread the word within your network by sharing our posts on Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky, and LinkedIn. This first session is especially important as it will cover the basics to give a good grounding for those new to carbon pricing.

If you have more time: Catch up on BRIDGE ahead of the final section release. After nine months of BRIDGE and accompanying deep dive trainings, the final chapter — Unit 3, Section 3: The Art of Climate Storytelling — will open Sept. 1. Now is a great time to catch up on all previously released units. You’ll learn how to use the Moral Foundations framework to better engage in climate conversations with Congress, our communities, and our personal network of friends and family. Completing BRIDGE is highly recommended as much of our upcoming advocacy work will be based on the foundational concepts introduced in the BRIDGE program.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events

8/20: Understanding and Transforming Conflict (BRIDGE Training #8) - Our second-to-last BRIDGE training is coming up! We’ll continue applying our skills in real-world scenarios. Recognize when a conversation shifts into identity-driven “high conflict,” then practice curiosity, looping, and complexity to de-escalate and reopen space for dialogue. Join us!

8/24: August 2026 Inclusion Workshop: Culture, Creativity &amp; Climate: How the Arts Can Drive Environmental Advocacy - Climate change threatens more than our ecosystems; it also threatens the cultural traditions, knowledge, and practices that connect communities and shape our relationship with the environment. At the same time, artists and cultural practitioners are using creative expression as a tool to communicate climate issues, preserve cultural knowledge, build community, and inspire action. Join us to explore the connection between cultural conservation and climate conservation, while highlighting how the arts can serve as a mechanism for environmental advocacy and collective action. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Aug 20, 2026 12:00 am<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/610</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: New BRIDGE Action Team kicks off this month</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/609</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Aug. 12, 2026


Are you ready to take your climate advocacy skills to the next level? The new BRIDGE Action Team might just be the perfect place for you.

The BRIDGE (Building Relationships in Dialogue, Growth, and Engagement) Program was launched in January 2026 to help CCL volunteers master the relational advocacy skills needed to truly advance climate solutions — by building the kinds of trust, connection, and cross-difference communication that strengthens our work at every level.

Now, we’re rolling out a new BRIDGE Action Team to give volunteers a dedicated place to deepen their knowledge and skills. The Action Team’s vision is clear: To apply the BRIDGE framework to strengthen advocacy, coalition building, chapter health, and democratic engagement throughout CCL. And they’re recruiting!

Interested volunteers and potential new members are invited to join a discussion Monday, August 17 at 6 p.m. ET.  At this meeting, the BRIDGE Action Team will discuss everything from how to select the best meeting time to the activities the team will focus on during its initial months.

Whether you’re already passionate about BRIDGE or simply curious about how these principles can shape the way we advocate and build relationships, there’s a place for you on the Action Team. Join the conversation on August 17 to learn more, share your ideas, and help shape what comes next for BRIDGE at CCL.

RSVP to the BRIDGE Action Team launch

In other news this week:


	Sen. John Curtis on FOFA: In a new article in Deseret News, Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) shared his perspective on the importance of the Fix Our Forests Act and its prospects for passage in Congress. As the lead Senate sponsor on the bill, Sen. Curtis has been working with a bipartisan group of his colleagues — including co-lead Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) — to help get this bill across the finish line. Of course, CCL is playing our own role in helping advance the legislation, with the Fix Our Forests Act serving as one of our Lobby Day asks on Capitol Hill just a few weeks ago.


Take action this week 
If you have a little time: Amplify CCL’s Summer Conference posts on social media. Help build on the momentum from the Summer Conference by amplifying a social media post about our conference and Lobby Day. That helps push our message and our work out to so many more people who might want to get involved or support CCL’s work. Check out this year’s wrap-up posts on Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky, and LinkedIn. (Hundreds of CCLers took this action together during our August meeting on Saturday, which you can watch here if you missed it!)

If you have more time: Connect with your MOC during August recess. Members of Congress (MOCs) are typically back in their districts and states during the month of August. This is the perfect time to reinforce our recent lobbying asks by showing up at local events and asking relevant questions about permitting reform and Forest Service funding. Doing so helps to demonstrate community support for action, which is a key part of moving Congress forward on climate. Check out the August Action Sheet for more tips and ideas on how to make the most of the August recess.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events

8/13: Election Engagement Activities For Your Chapter - For the 2026 election season, the Election Engagement Action Team is focused on helping CCL volunteers take meaningful, nonpartisan action—connecting with candidates, supporting voter turnout, and strengthening grassroots engagement. Join this training to explore key areas where the team supports CCL volunteers and chapters stay engaged in meaningful action. Join us!

8/20: Understanding and Transforming Conflict (BRIDGE Training #8) - Our second-to-last BRIDGE training is coming up! We’ll continue applying our skills in real-world scenarios. Recognize when a conversation shifts into identity-driven “high conflict,” then practice curiosity, looping, and complexity to de-escalate and reopen space for dialogue. Join us!

8/24: August 2026 Inclusion Workshop: Culture, Creativity &amp; Climate: How the Arts Can Drive Environmental Advocacy - Climate change threatens more than our ecosystems; it also threatens the cultural traditions, knowledge, and practices that connect communities and shape our relationship with the environment. At the same time, artists and cultural practitioners are using creative expression as a tool to communicate climate issues, preserve cultural knowledge, build community, and inspire action. Join us to explore the connection between cultural conservation and climate conservation, while highlighting how the arts can serve as a mechanism for environmental advocacy and collective action. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Aug 13, 2026 2:27 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:27:49 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/609</guid>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Weekly Briefing: Election engagement opportunities are underway</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/608</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Aug. 5, 2026


We’re back home from a busy Lobby Day in D.C., and now, it’s August in a midterm election year. You know what that means: Campaign season is ramping up here in the United States. 

At CCL, our election work happens with candidates on both sides of the aisle, allowing us to make a positive impact on the upcoming midterm elections while staying true to our nonpartisan value.

This year, CCL’s Election Engagement Action Team (EEAT) is focused on helping volunteers take meaningful, nonpartisan action in three main areas: 


	Building relationships with candidates, which can lay the groundwork for future congressional relationships on both sides of the aisle. 
	Supporting voter turnout through collaboration with groups like the Environmental Voter Project (EVP), which helps people who already care about climate become consistent voters. 
	Additional election-related outreach, like postcarding to potential voters and hosting “Voter Research Parties” to help folks get informed before heading to the polls. 

Get started by joining us Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT for an election engagement training to dive deeper into opportunities in these three key areas. 

Every conversation, postcard, and phone call makes future climate progress possible. As campaign season heats up, now is the perfect time to find the election engagement opportunities that fit your interests and schedule.

RSVP to the Aug. 13 training

In other news this week:


	Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day 2026: Thank you to every volunteer who joined us in Washington, D.C., this year for another amazing conference! This year, over 750 attendees joined more than 400 lobby meetings on Capitol Hill. Conference highlights are saved on CCL’s Instagram account in posts and story highlights. If you haven’t already, please send your photos of the conference and Lobby Day to marketing@citizensclimate.org. 
	 
	Permitting reform in the news: In our 400+ meetings with Congress, bipartisan permitting reform legislation was a primary ask for both senators and representatives. As if to boost our efforts, permitting reform is also making headlines this week! Check out this Washington post op-ed from Lily Bermel, visiting fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, and this podcast interview with Daniel Palken on Heatmap News. 
	 
	Wildfires in the U.S.: This year’s wildfire season has surpassed its 10-year average for both the number of fires and total acres burned. Right now, more than 99 large fires are burning, with significant damage in the Pacific Northwest happening right now. If you’re in an affected area, tell Congress your concerns! Use our wildfire action tool to ask your representatives to take action. 


Take action this week
If you have a little time: Save the date for CCL’s Virtual Fall Conference. Now that the annual Summer Conference has wrapped up, we’re looking ahead to fall. Save the date for this year’s virtual Fall Conference on Saturday, Dec. 5. We’ll look back at this year’s accomplishments, unpack what the midterm election results mean for climate legislation, and look ahead to what’s next in 2027. Plan to join us on Zoom for a jam-packed day of keynotes, breakouts, and CCL intel you won’t want to miss. 

If you have more time: Attend this Saturday’s Monthly Meeting. Our August meeting, hosted by CCL Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Flannery Winchester, will debrief CCL’s 2026 Summer Conference and Lobby Day. From the impact and impression we made on Capitol Hill, to the insights and inspiration we got during conference programming — this call will catch you up on it all! Plan to join us this Saturday, August 8, starting at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

Featured: Summer Conference local media
Every year, the Summer Conference provides an excellent opportunity for a local media push. It’s always a great story when local people make such a big effort to travel to D.C. and speak up for their communities and for the climate. 

CCLers have already started to pitch the conference as a story to local news outlets and share their own perspective in the opinion pages. Here are just a few of the media hits we’ve begun to see:

	Citizens' Climate Lobby reshaping environmental politics - Left Hand Valley Courier (Colorado)
	Commentary: Five days without power: Why I’m taking NJ’s extreme weather story to Congress - Morristown Green (New Jersey)
	Letter: Citizens’ Climate Lobby visiting nation’s capital - State Journal (Kentucky)
	Letter to the Editor: As America marks 250 years, local volunteers head to Washington to encourage energy policy - Marshall County Tribune-Courier (Kentucky)

Published media helps spread the word about CCL’s annual Lobby Day, inviting more people into this work and letting members of Congress know there’s support for climate action back home. 

Read guidance about how to write your own LTE or op-ed about lobbying here. CCL also offers a press release template which can be sent out to local media along with a high-res group photo of volunteers on lobby day morning.

Great work to everyone who sent a story pitch, drafted an op-ed, or saw their work published! 

Interested in publishing your first letter to the editor? Or making a story pitch to a local outlet? Join CCL’s Writer’s Circle Action Team for tips and support.

Summer Conference recordings
If you weren’t able to attend CCL’s 2026 Summer Conference and Lobby Day in person or on the livestream, make sure you’ve caught up on a few key moments highlighted in our August Action Sheet:
 
CCL Executive Director Ricky Bradley’s opening remarks - This heartfelt speech reminds us that CCL’s nonpartisan, respectful advocacy may not feel familiar or comfortable to you at first, but you can learn and grow into someone who embodies this work. Watch the recording.

Keynote speech and Q&amp;A with Jigar Shah - Jigar Shah, former Director of the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office and host of the “Energy Empire” and “Open Circuit” podcasts, is one of the most influential voices in clean energy finance and deployment. He shared his perspective on permitting reform and took questions from CCLers. Watch the recording.

Building a BRIDGE to Capitol Hill - In this session, CCL’s VP of Field Operations Brett Cease brought BRIDGE to life to help attendees build skills for lobby meetings and moments of connection. He shared why facts alone rarely change minds and how listening for values helps us communicate more effectively across differences, as well as stories from CCL volunteers and simple tools to stay curious through challenging conversations. Watch the recording.

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Aug 5, 2026 5:51 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:51:04 +0100</pubDate>
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