A preview of CCL’s 2023 Conservative Conference
By Katie Zakrzewski
Conservative CCLers are finalizing their travel plans as they begin the journey to Capitol Hill for the Conservative Climate Leadership Conference and Lobby Day on March 28-29. With a Republican-controlled House, the time for conservative CCLers to pave the way is now.
Here are some of the people and events that you can expect to see at next week’s Conservative Conference.
Compelling speakers
Our speakers will help volunteers understand the intricacies of climate in politics and the economy.
Attendees will get to hear from members of Congress, such as Rep. John Curtis (UT-03), Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02), and Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), who will deliver remarks about the importance of working across the aisle on climate change solutions.
You will hear from CCL staff members, such as Conservative Outreach Director Drew Eyerly, Senior Director of Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Legislative and Constituent Engagement Manager Kesten Bozinovic, and Executive Director Madeleine Para, among others. These CCL staffers will discuss CCL’s unique position in working with a split Congress, and the multitude of ways that volunteers can jump in and move the needle on legislation.
Attendees will get to hear from leaders at organizations such as Purple Strategies, the Niskanen Center, and the American Conservation Coalition (ACC) on the present state of the eco-right movement. Attendees will then hear from leaders at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and the Outdoor Industry Association about outdoor activities and conservation. CCLers will also get to hear from Luke Bolar, Chief External Affairs Officer at ClearPath, about the Republican climate policy agenda, and Neil Chatterjee, Former Commissioner and Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), on a couple of popular conservative climate policies.
Discussions and Sessions
Day one of the conference will be spent learning about new techniques, ideas, and impacts of climate change mitigation policies.
The “Ideas from the Eco-Right Panel Discussion” will explore the present state of the eco-right movement, the successes it has had as well as the challenges it faces, and predictions for climate legislation in a split Congress.
The “Outdoor Industry and Conservation Panel Discussion” will analyze how the hunting and fishing industries have been impacted by climate change. Panelists from outdoor and conservation organizations will discuss the impact on the business and the animals themselves, which federal policies can help, and how to communicate on these issues with other conservatives.
The “Permitting Reform and Nuclear Energy Plenary Session” will consist of a deep dive into these policy topics by Neil Chatterjee, Former Commissioner and Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
CCL Vice President Ben Pendergrass and CCL Senior Director of Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler will then lead a session on the CCL Lobby Day Primary and Supporting Asks. Attendees will be lobbying their offices on permitting reform and the farm bill.
Informational Tables
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore several Building Political Will Table Topics led by CCL staff and volunteers. These tables will provide information on how to build on grassroots skills, such as using social media, using print media, student outreach, telling your story, sharing messages that resonate, building a team, how to use CCL resources, and how to talk about local climate impacts.
Lobbying
Day two of the conference will consist of lobbying on Capitol Hill. We’ll start with lobby day training and logistics before moving into mock lobby meeting practice and lobby team planning. Then, after lunch, it’s off to Capitol Hill to lobby! Afterward, we’ll have a lobby day reception to celebrate the conference and lobby day efforts. Additionally, CCL will be awarding three members of Congress Climate Champion awards: Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), and Rep. John Curtis (UT-03).
Eager to know more about the conference? Check out the schedule and updates as they become available. Are you a conservative eager to work on climate and the environment? Join CCL now.
