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The CCL Summer Conference & Lobby Day

CCL’s Summer Conference & Lobby Day

The Path to Clean Energy Runs Through D.C.

July 26-28, 2026 | Washington, D.C.

Shape the clean energy conversation

Congress is coming to the table on policies that could support clean, affordable energy.You can be at that table, too.

What to expect at the conference:

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Learn about federal policies that can push America forward on clean, affordable energy

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Connect with other climate advocates and take your place in this powerful, nationwide team

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Join face-to-face meetings with lawmakers and their staff on Capitol Hill


Program Overview

SUNDAY, JULY 26

Pre-Conference

Settle into D.C.! Then, join your fellow CCLers for social time.

MONDAY, JULY 27

Day 1: Conference

Buckle up for a jam packed day that will get you ready to lobby.

Morning: All Together

  • The big picture + CCL’s game plan

  • Our Lobby Day asks

Afternoon: Breakout sessions

  • Policy Deep Dives

  • Experience Based Workshops

TUESDAY, JULY 28

Day 2: Lobby Day

Hit the Hill for productive meetings with Congress then celebrate at our lobby day afterparty.


Agenda

Times listed are Eastern Time Zone

Sunday, July 26
Monday, July 27
Tuesday, July 28
5:00 pm-9:00 pm

Early Registration

6:00 pm-8:00 pm

Action Team Fair

6:00 pm-7:00 pm

PGM/Affinity Teams Dinner

Join the PGM Caucus/Affinity Action Teams for a dinner. This will be a great place for us to connect, share stories, ask questions, and let any long-time members share past conference experiences. Please RSVP by 7/18: cclusa.org/2026PGMDinner

This is an intentional space for those who identify as people of color. If you are a white ally, please honor this space by not participating.

6:30 pm-7:30 pm

Youth Gathering & Pizza Party!

Attendees ages 13-17 invited to attend. Please RSVP here.

6:00 pm-9:00 pm

Social Time

8:00 pm-9:00 pm

Politically Right of Center Happy Hour

For those who identify as politically right of center, meet us in the Marquee bar of the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

8:00 am-9:00 am

Registration

9:00 am-9:20 am

Conference Welcome

Will be live streamed

Ricky Bradley

Ricky Bradley

Executive Director, CCL/CCE

9:20 am-9:50 am

Keynote: Jigar Shah on building at the speed of the moment

How do we accelerate the clean energy needed to strengthen the economy, support the grid and meet today’s climate challenges? Join us for a keynote conversation with Jigar Shah, one of the most influential voices in clean energy finance and deployment. As former Director of the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, Shah helped reshape the federal government’s approach to investing in energy infrastructure, overseeing a major expansion in lending authority and supporting projects across the country. Throughout his career, Shah has focused on breaking down the financial and structural barriers that slow innovation and infrastructure development. In this timely session, Shah will share his perspective on one of the most consequential policy conversations in Washington today: permitting reform. As Congress considers how to accelerate energy infrastructure, he’ll explore what it takes to build faster, smarter, and more effectively—and what role advocates can play in advancing durable solutions.

Will be live streamed

Jigar Shah

Jigar Shah

Co-host of “Open Circuit” podcast

9:50 am-10:20 am

Review of Lobby Day Asks

This session will cover where Congress stands today, what’s changed in recent months, and how to optimize your upcoming visit to Capitol Hill. CCL’s Government Affairs team will walk you through CCL’s legislative strategy and give you the tools to confidently communicate our priorities in meetings with congressional offices. Attendees will receive an overview of CCL’s primary and supporting asks along with the latest points of persuasion. Whether this is your first Lobby Day or you’re an old hand, this session will ensure you arrive on the Hill informed, aligned, and ready to make a compelling case for practical, durable climate solutions.

Will be live streamed

Jennifer Tyler

Jennifer Tyler

VP of Government Affairs, CCL/CCE

Dana Nuccitelli

Dana Nuccitelli

Research Manager, CCL/CCE

10:20 am-10:30 am

Break

10:30 am-11:30 am

Building a BRIDGE to Capitol Hill

See how BRIDGE (Building Relationships in Dialogue, Growth, and Engagement) comes to life beyond online training as we build skills for lobby meetings and moments of connection. Discover why facts alone rarely change minds and how listening for values helps us communicate more effectively across differences. We’ll hear stories from CCL volunteers, run through practical exercises and develop simple tools to stay curious as we strive to find common ground and build trust even when conversations are challenging. Whether you’re new to BRIDGE or looking to deepen your skills, you’ll leave with greater confidence and inspiration to build the relationships that strengthen our movement and create the political will for climate action.

Will be live streamed

Brett Cease, PhD

Brett Cease, PhD

VP of Field Operations, CCL/CCE

11:30 am-12:00 pm

Permitting reform across the political spectrum

As the need to lower emissions while meeting rising electricity demand becomes increasingly clear, permitting reform continues as a topic of discussion across the political spectrum. This practical session will explore how to communicate effectively across the aisle, from moderate and progressive Democrats to conservative Republicans. We’ll examine the values, priorities, and policy considerations that shape support for permitting reform in different congressional offices. Participants will learn how to frame conversations for different audiences, understand where common ground exists, and identify which elements of permitting reform resonate most with different members of Congress. Walk away with the tools to meet lawmakers where they are and make a compelling, strategic case for advancing solutions.

Will be live streamed

Jennifer Tyler

Jennifer Tyler

VP of Government Affairs, CCL/CCE

Dana Nuccitelli

Dana Nuccitelli

Research Manager, CCL/CCE

12:00 pm-1:30 pm

Lunch on your own

1:30 pm-2:00 pm

Marc Hafstead: The Future of Carbon Pricing

Carbon pricing is back on the agenda—with a very special guest kicking off our new education series! Join us for a special fireside chat with Ricky Bradley and Marc Hafstead, one of the country’s leading voices on this topic. Hafstead serves as Director of the Carbon Pricing Initiative at Resources for the Future (RFF), a widely respected nonpartisan research institution. This session will explore where carbon pricing stands in the current U.S. policy landscape and how CCLers can engage thoughtfully and effectively on carbon pricing in today’s political climate. Whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been advocating for years, be sure to attend for invaluable perspective.

Will be live streamed

Marc Hafstead, PhD

Marc Hafstead, PhD

Fellow; Director, Carbon Pricing Initiative, Resources for the Future

Ricky Bradley

Ricky Bradley

Executive Director, CCL/CCE

2:00 pm-2:15 pm

Lobby Day Logistics

Mindy Ahler

Mindy Ahler

Congressional Liaison Program Director, CCL/CCE

2:30 pm-3:45 pm

Experience-focused Sessions

Closing the Climate Perception Gap

Did you know your neighbors are more concerned about climate change than you might think? In this session, Eric Fine will introduce the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication's Climate Opinion Maps, an interactive tool that reveals how people across the country—including in your congressional district and county—think about climate change. Many Americans underestimate how much others share their concern and media coverage of the issue can be sparse. The maps help paint a more accurate picture and give us powerful insights we can use in advocacy conversations and local media efforts. Eric will be joined by CCL’s Flannery Winchester who will help us to utilize the Climate Maps as we write opinion content and pitch to journalists. (Will be live streamed)

Climate Advocate Lobby Training

Heading to Capitol Hill for the first time? Whether you're feeling excited, nervous, or a little bit of both, this session is designed to help you walk into your meetings with confidence. We'll give you the CCL overview, answer the questions every first-time lobbyist has, walk through what to expect on Lobby Day, and introduce CCL's approach to transformational advocacy. You'll learn how lobby meetings flow, the roles each team member plays, and what makes our conversations with Congressional offices effective. Most importantly, you'll have plenty of time to prepare so you feel fired up and ready to hit the Hill.

Leadership Meeting

CCL State Coordinators, Group Leaders, Liaisons, and Action Team Leaders, are invited to join this special leadership meeting.

4:00 pm-5:00 pm

Breakout Sessions

Why Healthy Forests Matter

America's forests are one of our most powerful natural climate solutions, storing vast amounts of carbon while protecting communities, wildlife, and clean water. But larger, more severe wildfires are threatening these landscapes and making it harder for forests to continue playing their vital role in addressing climate change. Join Nya Osifeso of the Environmental Defense Fund and James Puerini of the Climate & Wildfire Institute as they explore the science behind healthy forests, the growing challenges facing the U.S. Forest Service, and the policies shaping the future of forest management. You'll also learn why forestry has become an increasingly important part of CCL's advocacy, including support for efforts like the Save Our Sequoias Act and the Fix Our Forests Act, and how this year's Lobby Day forestry ask builds on that work. This session will give you the context and confidence to advocate for a healthy future for forests. (Will be livestreamed)

What's Next for Clean Energy?

The clean energy landscape is changing. With the expiration of long-standing federal tax credits for clean energy like wind and solar, businesses and investors are adapting to a new policy environment while demand for affordable, reliable, domestic energy continues to grow. Join Will Wiseman, CEO and Co-Founder of Climatize, and Abby Maxwell, Senior Policy Associate at the American Sustainable Business Network, for a conversation about where clean energy goes from here. They'll discuss how businesses are responding to shifting federal policy, why investment in clean energy remains strong, and the opportunities that can unlock the next wave of American energy development.

Building Political Will, One Relationship at a Time

Join a panel of CCL volunteers from different backgrounds, generations, and communities as they share how they're building political will where they live. Hear real stories of volunteers putting BRIDGE principles into practice, forming unexpected partnerships, engaging their communities, and creating meaningful opportunities for climate conversations. During this session, you'll see how these diverse approaches connect to CCL's five levers of political will and our broader theory of change. Whether you're looking for fresh ideas, practical inspiration, or simply a reminder that there are many ways to make a difference, you'll leave with new perspectives and confidence to build on your chapter's unique strengths.

5:10 pm-5:30 pm

Closing Session

5:30 pm-11:00 pm

Open time for lobby team planning

8:00 am-8:30 am

Group Photo on Capitol Hill

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Lobby Day

Refer to your personal lobby schedule (emailed to you).

7:00 pm-11:00 pm

Lobby Day After Party

Cap off your conference & lobby day experience – celebrate your lobbying efforts! Snacks and cash bar.


What our attendees say

“Fellow CCLers are inspiring and energizing, and speaking with real people on the Hill gives me hope that our future will be bright.”

— Matt M.
Volunteer

Thank you to our conference sponsors!