Climate Leaders Unveil Principles That Accelerate Clean Energy, Slash Climate Pollution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2026
CONTACT: Gabrielle Levy, Glevy@cacampaign.org, 562-673-6974

Climate Leaders Unveil Principles That Accelerate Clean Energy, Slash Climate Pollution

WASHINGTON–Today, national climate leaders unveiled a set of principles on how the United States can speed up the deployment of clean energy. The principles are the Climate Action Campaign’s recommendations for congressional action that would accelerate the deployment of clean energy to meet the nation’s energy needs, address the affordability challenge, and work toward solving the climate crisis.

"We have an unprecedented opportunity to build an affordable, clean energy future while addressing both energy affordability and climate pollution," the principles say. "From building out the supply of clean energy sources to modernizing our out-dated electrical transmission and distribution grids, meeting the challenge of climate change means the U.S. must build clean and fast and equitably.”

These principles stand in stark contrast to the Trump administration and congressional Republicans’ repeated attacks on clean energy that have sent energy prices soaring and exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis that has millions of American families struggling.

“Energy demand has never been higher, and it’s likely only going up from here. At the same time, the climate crisis is getting worse, with extreme weather and dangerous pollution putting millions of Americans’ health and safety on the line and costing our families and communities billions of dollars each year,” said Margie Alt, director of the Climate Action Campaign. “Clean energy is the one solution that can meet the country’s energy needs while reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. CAC stands behind policies that can rapidly deliver the clean, affordable, and abundant energy we need while ensuring community input and maintaining guardrails that protect our environment.”

“America can and must bring clean energy online more rapidly to meet growing demand and lower costs for families and communities,” said Loren Blackford, Executive Director of the Sierra Club. “Instead of working to advance that goal, the Trump administration has continued to stand in the way of meaningful progress on renewables, doubling down on deadly fossil fuels and forcing taxpayers to foot the bill. We’re proud to unveil these common sense principles that would allow this country to address the climate crisis and skyrocketing energy bills.”

“Rapidly deploying clean energy is one of our best tools to fight climate change, mitigate pollution, and lower skyrocketing energy bills,” said Abigail Dillen, President of Earthjustice. “These policies must be the foundation of our clean energy future, helping us push back against some of the Trump administration’s most egregious attacks on clean energy while offering a proactive path forward that protects our communities and environment.”

The principles are comprised of five key recommendations:

1. End the War on Wind & Solar. Congress should enact reforms that prevent the administration from arbitrarily targeting the permits of clean energy projects and require increased transparency and public notice throughout the permitting process for all projects. Clean energy projects should be treated fairly, on a level playing field with other kinds of projects.
2. Strengthen the Transmission System. We recommend Congress amend the Federal Power Act to give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) clear and exclusive authority to permit large, interstate transmission lines that meet certain thresholds, subject to other applicable environmental laws (similar to the treatment gas pipelines receive under the Natural Gas Act). As part of this reform, we recommend that Congress codify a requirement for FERC to require the costs of these large lines to be allocated in a way that considers all the benefits of transmission and accurately allocates the costs on the basis of these benefits.
3. Build Smarter Grids. We recommend Congress establish federal incentives to support the deployment of grid enhancing and advanced transmission technologies (such as advanced conductors) to maximize use of the existing grid, increase capacity, and lower costs, with minimal environmental impacts and shorter implementation times.
4. Engage Communities. We recommend Congress codify meaningful engagement opportunities early in the permitting process. By soliciting comprehensive and regular feedback, developers and stakeholders can together protect the environment, public health, and cultural resources. Congress should also provide resources for federal, Tribal, state, and local agencies to facilitate community benefit agreements with project developers, more efficient data sharing, analysis, coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Meaningful stakeholder engagement is a prerequisite for a fast, just, and equitable transition to a clean energy economy. By improving community engagement, federal agencies, communities and project sponsors can build trust and facilitate early buy-in, laying the foundation for mutually beneficial project outcomes.
5. Empower Agencies and Accelerate Review. We recommend that Congress enable agencies to make informed decisions efficiently. Agencies need sufficient resources, trained staff with expertise, and certainty in their authority to regulate. Congress needs to provide resourcing to agencies to help make better decisions faster, while also reducing delays from litigation down the line. Furthermore, Congress should prioritize agency coordination and leadership should be clarified to ensure necessary information is shared and redundant processes are minimized where possible.

You can view the full virtual event here, and read the full permitting principles document here.

###

About the Climate Action Campaign
Climate Action Campaign (CAC) is a vibrant coalition driving ambitious, durable, equitable federal action to tackle the climate crisis. By cutting carbon pollution and accelerating the transition to clean energy, we will improve public health and create a more resilient economy and a more sustainable future for all.