Written by:  Mackenzie Voegerl, Sr. Project Manager, Delivery

Last month, I had the opportunity to participate in American Clean Power’s Clean Power on the Hill federal lobbying day in Washington, DC. My day job at Pine Gate is to manage our engineering, procurement, and construction partners who work on site to build large scale solar projects, so lobbying is a few steps outside my comfort zone. I joined over 100 other participants on a mission to share our experiences and advocate for critical clean energy policies—tax incentives, permitting reform, and private property rights—that could shape the future of our industry.

We were equipped with fact sheets, talking points, and stories of how clean energy has transformed communities. We met with staff from several Congressional offices from across the Pine Gate footprint and explained the importance of maintaining federal tax credits for solar projects, expediting the permitting process for energy infrastructure, and protecting private property rights for those who wish to lease or sell their land for solar development. We shared challenges and success stories from our experience building solar across the country and, most importantly, how Pine Gate is building the clean energy projects that have revitalized rural economies and create good paying jobs.

I had the opportunity to represent Pine Gate in the group that lobbied the Texas delegation as we continue to grow in the Lone Star state. Congressional staff and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) took the time to hear from those of us whose jobs are powered by clean energy policy.

The halls of power were not as intimidating as I had imagined; they were filled with people just like me who stepped outside their day jobs to talk about the role federal policy impacts their industries. As I was leaving our nation’s capital, it really hit home that the week wasn’t just about participating in the policy process; it was about connecting the dots between solar and communities, jobs, and the future. I was proud to have played a small part in advocating for a better tomorrow.

Photo credit: American Clean Power Association