Urge Lower Energy Bills and Faster Energy Solutions in Two Senate Bills
Vermont Business Magazine As North America struggles with unprecedented wildfires amid scorching heat and high energy costs, nine citizen lobbyists from Vermont will be pressing Congress for passage of energy permitting reforms and a bill that will allow forest service employees to more effectively prevent costly, deadly wildfires.
Among nearly 900 Citizens' Climate Lobby volunteers from all 50 states expected to attend next week's 16th annual CCL Summer Conference & Lobby Day in Washington, six Vermonters, two University of Vermont students, and one recent UVM graduate will join in urging senators and representatives to continue bipartisan efforts to pass laws that confront the impacts of climate extremes.
Titled "The Path to Clean Energy Runs Through D.C.", the three-day conference runs both Sunday and Monday, July 26th and 27th, with trainings on how to accelerate clean, affordable energy and bridge political divides; it concludes Tuesday with more than 380 meetings with Congressional members urging them to help shape energy permitting reform legislation now being negotiated and to support the Fix Our Forests Act. Anyone can register to livestream the main sessions for $20.
CCL leadership says the current political environment and climate urgency have made advocating for passage of clean energy legislation more critical than ever. Passage of either bill requires clearing the Senate 60-vote threshold. Although relevant chairs and ranking members are negotiating permitting reform, delaying passage risks losing bipartisan alignment as priorities shift, staff turnovers occur and the November elections approach.
"Although things are difficult for climate action and clean energy on the federal level, we see a window of opportunity with this Congress," Vermont State CCL Coordinator Jen Durgin says. "Senate Republicans and Democrats are collaborating now on an energy permitting reform bill that can attract strong bipartisan support."
With more than 90% of the proposed electricity generating capacity in solar, large-scale batteries and wind—which often wait years for federal approval—CCL promotes wise, efficient choices. "We want our elected leaders to push for reforms that unleash the gigawatts of proposed solar and battery projects stuck in the federal permitting pipeline, while simultaneously protecting the environment and prioritizing citizens' concerns and safety," Durgin continues.
Their similar push for passage of the Senate version of the Fix Our Forests Act will include emphasizing the role that the historic and bipartisan legislation will play in spearheading active forest management in the U.S. and protection of rural communities in the wildland-urban interface.
In 2024, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, the United States lost more than 8.9 million acres to wildfires; residents absorbed billions of dollars in property damage loss, and more than 1.7 billion tons of CO2 were released into the atmosphere. Besides destroying homes, releasing tons of pollution and devastating essential habitat for plants and animals, these wildfires threaten human health and cost lives. Of the top ten deadliest wildfires in U.S. history, four have been within the past nine years.
Given the administration’s proposals to significantly cut funding for the U.S. Forest Service, CCL members will also be pushing Congress to fully fund the agency in the appropriations process, as they did in 2025.
The Nine CCL Attendees from Vermont:
- Alex Messinger (Burlington)
- Jen Durgin (White River Junction)
- Kim Hunt (Burlington)
- Peter Ehrlich (Jericho)
- Briana Relland (Montpelier)
- Devrim Guner (Essex Junction; Community College of Vermont student)
- Eliana Allegri (Washington, D.C.; UVM Class of ‘26)
- Hailey Lightcap (Brookville, OH; UVM student)
- Bella Wilson (New Concord, KY; UVM student)
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CCL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on federal climate solutions. Our consistently respectful, nonpartisan approach is designed to create a broad, sustainable base of support for climate action. We train and support volunteers to build relationships with elected officials, the media and their local community, always building on shared values rather than partisan divides.
BURLINGTON, Vt (23 July 2026) – CCL
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