Upcoming Events
Past Events
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“From Pocketbook to Power Line: Voter Sentiment on Energy Affordability and Grid Modernization
June 4, 2026
1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
Americans are feeling real pain from rising electricity costs, and they are ready to support practical solutions if leaders can deliver them. New national polling from the Conservative Energy Network (CEN), conducted by Cygnal, finds 82% of voters concerned about electricity affordability, 72% saying their bills have gone up over the past two years, and 92% saying it is important to modernize the grid. Energy affordability is now a top-tier voting issue: 80% say a candidate’s position on it will matter to their vote in November.
Join us for a one-hour briefing on the data behind these numbers and what they mean for policymakers, candidates, and advocates heading into the 2026 cycle. Cygnal Senior Partner & Pollster, Chris Lane, walks through the national findings and the cross-state patterns from Wisconsin, Nevada, and Ohio. CEN Deputy Director of Policy, Cole Howard, moderates a panel between Chris and the three state directors who will share what the numbers look like on the ground in their states, where the data converges with the national story, and where local conditions – load growth, fuel mix, demographics, and primary calendars – change the picture.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“Getting to the Core of Affordability and Resilience: Interregional Transmission in the South“
May 13, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM EDT
Extreme weather events and rapid load growth have magnified limitations in the MISO and SPP systems. However, both RTO’s have unique strengths in terms of generation resources in their mix that can make their systems both more resilient and affordable over the long term. Join the Conservative Energy Network as we learn more about the proposed new transmission lines known as CORE and CORE+ and their ability to keep costs down and power supply reliable for customers in the mid-South and Southern Plains. This webinar explores how these new lines will save consumers money, enable economic growth, enhance reliability and advance American energy innovation.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“Aligning Energy Policy: A Fireside Chat with Former FERC Chairman Mark Christie”
April 22, 2026
3:00 – 3:45 PM EDT
This fireside chat edition of the Empowering Tomorrow Webinar examines how the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC) collaborates with state policymakers and regulators amid rapid changes in the energy landscape, and identifies practical strategies for improving coordination on reliability, affordability, and infrastructure development across state and federal jurisdictions.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“Made in America: The Case for Domestic Solar Manufacturing“
March 26, 2026
2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT
Join us for a timely discussion on why domestic solar manufacturing matters now more than ever. This webinar explores how building and scaling solar manufacturing in the United States strengthens American jobs, enhances supply chain resilience, reduces dependence on geopolitical competitors, and reinforces long-term energy security.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“Built for the Storm: Strengthening Grid Reliability as Energy Demand Grows“
February 23, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM EDT
Join the Conservative Energy Network for a deep dive on how severe winter storms stress the U.S. electric grid. Expect to learn why demand for reliable energy continues to grow, and what policy and infrastructure solutions can strengthen reliability while keeping energy affordable for American families.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“Looking Ahead: Key 2026 Policy Changes Shaping Renewable Energy in the U.S.“
January 27, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM EDT
As 2026 begins, energy policy debates are accelerating at the federal and state levels—shaping permitting, infrastructure development, electricity reliability, and the cost of energy for American families. Join the Conservative Energy Network for a forward-looking policy briefing on what to expect in 2026. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the 2026 energy policy environment and practical guidance for engaging where it matters most.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“The High Cost of Inaction: How Grid Delays Undercut America’s Growth“
December 11, 2025
1:00 – 2:00 PM EDT
Large-scale transmission is the backbone of a modern, efficient, resilient electricity system. But when these transmission projects are delayed, it’s not just infrastructure that suffers, it’s everyday consumers, economies, jobs, and even national competitiveness. This webinar will unpack how postponing transmission development raises costs, shrinks benefits, and limits our ability to meet tomorrow’s demands.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“Power in Partnership: Building Community Trust in Local Siting“
November 17, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 PM EDT
Community engagement plays a critical role in advancing clean energy initiatives. Join us for an interactive webinar exploring how to effectively build trust, foster collaboration, and mobilize local voices in support of energy innovation. This session will highlight proven strategies for community outreach, storytelling, and coalition-building. Attendees will gain practical tools to: Engage key stakeholders and community members in meaningful ways, navigate local concerns and build public support for energy projects, strengthen partnerships with grassroots organizations and local leaders, and communicate clean energy benefits through values-based messaging.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“Powering the Future: A Conversation on Effective Permitting Reform and Energy Reliability“
October 23, 2025
11:00 – 12:00 PM EDT
Join us for a practical, solutions-focused discussion on permitting reform that upholds property rights, strengthens grid reliability, and accelerates private-sector investment. Our panel breaks down what’s happening at the federal and state levels, the role of meaningful community engagement, and conservative policy ideas that cut red tape without compromising environmental stewardship.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“Building the Grid Voters Want: Polling Results from PJM & MISO South“
September 16, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 EDT
What do voters actually think about the electric grid, energy costs, and the role of markets in modernizing our infrastructure?
Join us for a webinar unpacking new polling results from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and across the MISO South region. These surveys — conducted by Cygnal — capture insights from general election voters across the political spectrum, revealing strong bipartisan support for transmission investment that improves reliability, reduces utility bills, and strengthens American energy independence.
Chris Lane, Senior Partner at Cygnal, breaks down the findings and offer analysis on voter sentiment around key issues like:
– Preventing blackouts and lowering energy costs Delivering more clean energy through expanded transmission development
– Protecting landowner rights and promoting state-level control
– Embracing market-driven solutions to upgrade the grid
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“State Power Plays: The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ and Its Impact on State Energy Policies”
July 23, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 EDT
Learn about how the enactment of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) on July 4 introduced significant changes to federal clean energy policies. While these shifts presented challenges, they also opened avenues for states to assert leadership in shaping a resilient and innovative energy future. This webinar explored how states proactively responded to the OBBB, leveraging their unique capacities to drive sustainable energy initiatives and economic growth.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“Best Practices for State Engagement with FERC: Navigating Federal and State Regulatory Overlap”
June 26, 2025
1:00 – 2:00 EDT
This webinar explores how states can effectively engage with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This discussion highlights proven strategies and best practices for navigating FERC’s regulatory processes, with a focus on maximizing state influence and promoting clean energy goals.
Our panel of experts, Connor Marley, Simon Mahan, Gretchen Kershaw, and Brad Pope, provides a comprehensive overview of how the FERC process works, the critical points of state interaction, and opportunities to make engagement more impactful. Whether you’re a policymaker, regulator, or clean energy advocate, this webinar offers practical guidance on shaping outcomes that benefit both energy reliability and sustainability.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“How Nuclear Energy Is Reshaping The Clean Energy Approach”
May 14, 2025
1:00 – 2:00 EDT
Join CEN in exploring how new forms of clean energy such as nuclear energy are improving the economy and increasing energy accessibility in the United States, featuring Connor Marley, Kristy Hartman, Spencer Toohill, and Victor Ibarra. Panelists will discuss how nuclear energy works to the benefit of the economy and energy efficiency requirements in the US. Attendees will gain insights into nuclear energy as a whole as well as projects performed and in progress to improve clean energy integration efforts and insights on how nuclear energy is entering energy sourcing.
Offshore Wind Webinar:
“Environmental & Economic Benefits of Offshore Oil & Wind”
April 17, 2025
2:00 – 3:00 EDT
Join us for a discussion of The Environmental and Economic Benefit Connection Between Offshore Oil & Gas and Offshore Wind Energy—the first-ever application of a Net Environmental Benefit Analysis-Comparative Assessment (NEBA-CA) to an offshore wind project.
This study provides a data-driven, transparent framework for evaluating the long-term ecological and economic impacts of offshore wind development. NEBA has been a trusted tool for assessing offshore oil and gas projects, and its application to offshore wind offers policymakers a new, science-backed approach to balancing benefits and risks.
John Szoka, CEO of CEN, shares the report’s insights into how offshore wind structures enhance marine ecosystems, boost commercial and recreational fisheries, and deliver lasting economic value. Learn why NEBA-CA should be included in the evaluation of future offshore wind projects and how it can help inform smart, balanced energy policy.
Correction: During the webinar, it was stated twice that there would be a restriction on commercial fishing using nets that drag along the sea bottom. This was incorrect. According to Dominion Energy, there are no restrictions on commercial fishing within the offshore wind array area.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“Grid Modernization: Deploying Clean Energy Solutions for a Thriving Economy”
April 10, 2025
3:00 – 4:00 EDT
Join us as we explore grid modernization and how it efficiently improves clean energy transmission efforts, featuring Salome Garcia, Bryn Baker, Meredith Pringle, and Carrie Zalewski. Panelists will discuss how grid modernization allows for more secure and reliable energy, the economic impact of transmission policy, and why efforts toward more modern transmission solutions benefit us. Gain insights into how grid modernization projects improve clean energy integration efforts and the economy, and how similar projects positively impact the community interests and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of transmission project deployment.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“Community Engagement and Stakeholder Collaboration in Transmission Projects”
November 12, 2024
3:00 – 4:00 EDT
Join us as we explore effective strategies for building community support and fostering collaboration in clean energy transmission initiatives, featuring Bradley Pischea, Nicole Pavia, Beth Soholt, and Patrick Whitty. Panelists will discuss ways to improve transparency, address community concerns, and strengthen relationships with local stakeholders to facilitate project success. Attendees will gain insights into overcoming barriers to engagement and aligning project goals with community interests, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of transmission project deployment.
Empowering Tomorrow Webinar Series:
“Assessing the Implications of Our Current Energy Infrastructure on National Security”
September 25, 2024
11:00 – 12:00 EDT
Join us for an insightful webinar featuring Tyler Duvelius, Danielle Russo, Jonathan Monken, and Jade Gillespie as they discuss the importance of an American energy strategy. In an era of increased power demand and cyber threats that pose significant risks to our national power grid, robust energy production and secure energy transmission systems have never been more essential.
