Federal Policy
Federal Policy Program
The Council actively educates national leaders, including Members of Congress and the Executive Branch, about the benefits of policy mechanisms that expand markets for existing clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. By pursuing opportunities for direct member involvement in the formulation, evaluation, and implementation of energy, tax, and other types of legislation, the Council promotes the development of a diverse and sustainable national energy portfolio.
General Policy Positions
As a broad-based industry coalition of energy efficiency, natural gas and renewable energy industries, the Council advocates for policies that create markets and drive demand for clean energy technologies, products and services. The Council seeks congressional support for programs and policies designed to spur near-term development and deployment of clean energy technologies and greater investment in energy efficiency. The Council’s Clean Energy Partners highlights how the energy efficiency, natural gas and renewable energy industries support each other and how together the partnership can stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and make the United States more globally competitive.
Advocacy Work
Regular Congressional Staff Meetings
Council staff and members engage in routine meetings with congressional staff in order to advocate the Council's energy and economic policy priorities.
Direct Council and Member Involvement in Legislative Process
The Council provides written responses to congressional requests for information on specific issues, public statements for a hearing record, and witnesses for congressional hearings. Through the Council’s policy development and implementation process, specific initiatives in the form of proposed bills, amendments or impact analysis are provided to congressional offices and key legislative contacts.
Engagement with Executive Branch
The Council also advances its policy priorities through engagement with the Executive Branch. For example, the Council provides opportunities for its members to interact with White House and Administration officials, including the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.
BCSE Federal Policy Committee
Open to all BCSE members, the Council’s Federal Policy Committee regularly meets on a weekly basis to provide members with opportunities to engage in the Council’s on-going federal policy development and advocacy process. Meetings are tailored to provide give-and-take discussions on current Council policy issues among all participants.
The Federal Policy Committee frequently invites guest speakers, including congressional staff, thought leaders and decision-makers. Subgroups of the Federal Policy Committee meet on an ad hoc basis for purposes of targeted discussion on issues related to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other relevant topics.
The Federal Policy Committee schedules regular meetings between BCSE members and congressional staff to advocate in support of the Council’s policy priorities. In addition, the Federal Policy Committee prepares formal written statements, fact sheets and letters to Members of Congress, including congressional briefings designed to promote policy and clean energy technology solutions.
For more information on the Council's federal policy activities, please contact Ruth McCormick at the Council and see Policy Recommendations & Public Statements.