By Lloyd Ritter, DWEA Policy Director
As DWEA President Mike Bergey notes, there are challenges ahead at the Federal policy level with the coming changes in leadership. Risks abound to programs and policies that DWEA supports and advocates. Risks also present opportunities to step up. 2025 will be one of those years and then some.
As you know, we have an amazing group of savvy and dedicated small business leaders from across the U.S. who come to Washington, D.C., once or twice a year. And yet, that isn’t enough. Let me share a few thoughts on the subject.
First, good public policy does not rule the day without active, thoughtful engagement.
USDA REAP, for example, is a strong program that has always had very healthy bi-partisan support. And yet, it’s recent funding, as well as the IRA’s under-utilized renewable reserve, are at grave risk. Why? Because sometimes D.C. gets into a fervor about an issue or set of issues. Soon, it’s going to be generating revenue to pay for the Trump tax cuts that are expiring next year. And deficit reduction. And shrinking government, etc. That’s all well and good, but without proper and detailed education, advocacy, and differentiation, that fervor can turn into a “policy stampede” which sweeps up good policies and programs.
Second, climate change is mostly “out” for the next few years, while rural and energy economics are in.
DW saves farmers, small businesses, and communities money. That’s the bottom line. President-elect Trump wants the lowest energy costs in the world for consumers. His focus is fossil fuel development, for sure. BUT distributed renewables are another complementary component and fit nicely with an “all the above” energy strategy. Moreover, they work well with fossil fuels, and as you know other renewables. Last but not least, renewable DERs give Americans more of what they want – energy choice. And we can provide energy choice and lower costs by beating China in the distributed wind power market segment. What’s not to like?
Third, partnerships and coalitions matter a lot, especially when you aren’t Elon Musk.
DWEA can’t do all this work alone, although we have a hell of a track record the past several years with limited partnerships in place. The organization needs to be thinking routinely about growing our relationships and advocacy as a team with others. We have a lot of friends and allies, but they also have agendas, and we need to figure out how to build trust and support and help them, as well, with their respective endeavors.
Green Capitol’s respectful asks of our membership during the holidays:
- Please start to seriously consider how you can put Green Capitol in touch with your “boots on the ground,” especially in the Midwest. Senate and House Republicans there know that REAP is a good program, popular, isn’t Red or Blue, and really helps their farmers and communities. But they need to HEAR about it, not just from us, but your friends and networks. GC will know what to do, but y’all got to be active connectors for us.
- Please think about coming to D.C. next year, not only for the DW 2025 event. If not, maybe one of your farmer customers? An employee? Vendor? We can help determine all the details and setup throughout the course of the year.
- Please get ready to work with DWEA and Green Capitol in a number of ways to help preserve, protect, and grow good Federal policies and programs for this important industry. It won’t take a lot of your time, promise, but it will be well worth it.
Thanks, and Happy Holidays!