Save the date for our next D.C. conference

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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