Minnesota Statewide Media Project

Recommended this month: Focus on clean energy permitting reform. PR has some momentum with House Natural Resources Committee markup on several permitting bills.

• Op-ed template available

• In LTEs, focus on the need for comprehensive clean energy permitting reform. America’s energy future depends on our ability to build faster and smarter, yet a slow and outdated permitting system means that clean, reliable energy infrastructure is being delayed at every turn. Projects like transmission lines can take up to a decade to permit and build. As a result, Americans remain stuck with older, polluting energy sources while better clean energy options sit stalled in line. A modernized permitting process would cut red tape, lower energy costs, strengthen grid reliability, and make our nation more secure. Over 95% of projects awaiting approval today are clean energy developments—projects that could create jobs, spark innovation, and deliver affordable power to American families. As energy demand grows due to our expanding economy, new data centers, and the manufacturing boom, outdated permitting rules drive up costs and give China a head start in strategic industries like energy and AI. Appreciate the growing momentum in Congress and encourage your lawmakers’ engagement on this issue. Permitting reform isn’t a partisan issue—it’s an American one. Congress can unlock thousands of ready-to-build clean energy projects, boost U.S. energy independence, and keep America competitive.

• Fix Our Forests Act: While a full senate vote on the Fix Our Forests Act is expected soon, CCL National is not encouraging Minnesotans to focus much on this prior to the senate vote because both our senators are on the Ag Committee and recently voted on whether to advance it to the full senate; Sen. Klobuchar voted yes, while Sen. Smith voted no. We do not want to continue asking Sen. Smith to support FOFA so soon after her "no" vote. In this instance, it's better to write about the issue more broadly expressing how wildfires are escalating and how we need to address them with thoughtful policy. 

• Other topics: see Current LTE Topics and CCL Minnesota Current State-Level Media Topics (below). Or write anything about climate–let’s keep this issue in front of people.