Takeaways from C3 Solutions' Energy and Environmental Policy Discussion

In November, C3 Solutions hosted a post-election briefing on energy and environmental policy with Senator-Elect John Curtis (R-UT) and the Hon. Mark Menezes, CEO of the US Energy Association and former Deputy Secretary of Energy. During the event, both Curtis and Menezes emphasized one of C3 Solutions’ key messages: energy is essential for every aspect of life, whether it’s taking the kids to soccer practice or heating our homes in the winter. Therefore, we must strive to make it as abundant, affordable, reliable, and clean as possible. To do so, America must be free to build, through policies that reform permitting, reduce bureaucratic barriers to innovation, and unlock America’s abundance of natural resources.

The reality is that when energy prices increase, so does the cost of virtually everything. That is why it is critical to implement policy reforms to unleash more supply to secure more affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy. Unfortunately, the Biden administration has placed a heavier emphasis on energy cleanliness, often at the expense of the affordability,reliability and free markets that American families and businesses need to thrive. The incoming Trump administration and 119th Congress are poised for success, with an opportunity to broaden the focus towards policies prioritizing affordable, reliable energy while still fostering clean energy innovation.

The need for a robust permitting reform package was a topic of conversation during the event. Currently, all types of energy projects- from natural gas to solar to nuclear- can be delayed for years due to outdated and redundant National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews. The American Clean Power Association states that the average time for clean energy projects to obtain necessary NEPA reviews is 4.5 years. Failure to act on permitting reform puts an estimated 100 gigawatts of clean energy projects at risk of a significant delay, stalling project development and halting 150,000 new American jobs.

NEPA not only delays energy projects but also hampers the mining projects essential for building clean energy infrastructure. Unlocking America’s mining potential is necessary to source mined minerals in an environmentally sensible manner, which helps to reduce dependence on foreign minerals that are often mined under poor environmental and labor conditions. Permitting reform in the 119th Congress is necessary to advance the “America First” energy agenda championed during President-Elect Trump’s campaign.

Menzes mentioned the energy and environment trifecta of Doug Burgum, Chris Wright, and Lee Zeldin, who will spearhead the efforts to unleash American energy. If appointed, Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum would oversee all energy leasing and mining on federal lands. He takes an “innovation over regulation approach” believing that we can “make our world cleaner and safer by selling energy to our friends and allies versus them having to buy it from our adversaries.” Chris Wright, nominated to head the Department of Energy has stated that “ simply having access to energy from free markets is the greenest policy possible.” American energy is clean energy, and unleashing all forms of it is the best policy for economic and environmental prosperity. Lastly, as head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin could bring a much-needed technology-neutral perspective and work to reduce bureaucratic red tape while curbing agency overreach that hinders innovation and economic prosperity.

With a unified Republican control of the House, Senate, and Presidency in 2025, there is significant potential for progress and growth on the energy front. The event hosted by C3 Solutions underscored the importance of streamlining permitting processes, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and unlocking domestic resources. Achieving these goals in the 119th Congress and the next Administration can unleash American energy that is all-of-the-above: abundant, affordable, reliable, and clean.

See photos from the event below