HOUSTON – The lush lawns and greenery sparkled under the 100-degree sun at the Houstonian resort last week during an unexpected event.

Inside, the aroma of BBQ filled the space, and a ballroom echoed with accolades for Donald Trump, fondness for America’s heartland, and a strong appreciation for conservative principles.

Additionally, there was enthusiasm for solar energy, wind power, and nuclear energy.

“Clean is right,” smiled John Szoka, enjoying the clever wordplay.

As the CEO of the Conservative Energy Network, he organized last week’s Conservative Energy Summit in Houston. Established in 2016, this year marked the first time over 200 individuals from across the nation gathered to discuss promoting energy sources they believe will restore the U.S. as a leader in energy, reduce costs, create jobs, and secure the power infrastructure.

While conservative perspectives have long been part of the clean energy dialogue, CEN represents a new “eco-right” aiming to present a conservative viewpoint on environmental initiatives, particularly carbon-neutral energy.

Notably, speakers emphasized that supporting free markets can lead to a realization that affordable, renewable energy is the pathway forward, as it presents a lucrative opportunity for those who adopt it.

“The individuals profiting from renewable energy initiatives tend to lean conservative and Republican,” stated Drew Christensen, senior director of public engagement at Apex Clean Energy in Virginia and a former Republican Representative from Minnesota.

Speakers emphasized that the core values of free market competition, consumer choice, private property rights, and reducing excessive government regulation are fundamentally Republican. If these principles prevail, they believe that clean energy will flourish in the U.S.

“It’s crucial to separate politics from the energy sector,” said Pat Wood of the Hunt Energy Network in Dallas.

The ability for America to continue generating inexpensive, abundant renewable energy hinges on conservative acceptance — particularly since most clean energy projects occur in Republican districts, said Mark Stover, executive director of the Texas Solar Power Association.

“In rural, conservative areas, we must reject the notion that Democrats are imposing clean energy projects on us,” said Marshall Conrad, vice president of government relations at Strata Clean Energy in North Carolina.

Does the White House’s occupant matter?

The focus shifted to the impending presidential election. Most organizations represented, including CEN, are non-profits and cannot take political stances. However, they subtly acknowledged that the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, has publicly voiced his dislike for wind turbines and generally opposes renewable energy, viewing it as costly and inefficient.

“Regardless of the election outcome, we will continue our mission because our focus lies on state and local issues, not national policy,” stated Szoka.

Looking to the future, conservatives need to adapt. Ignoring newer, cost-effective energy sources could have political ramifications, warned John Berger, president and CEO of Sunnova Energy in Houston.

“Public frustration is rising. In some regions, power bills surpass mortgage costs,” he noted. “These issues must be tackled as ratepayers are also voters.”

Renewable energy isn’t solely a liberal agenda

Christensen pointed out that a decade ago, renewable energy wasn’t associated with political affiliations. Back when George W. Bush was governor of Texas in 1999, he implemented deregulation of the state’s power market, inclusive of renewable energy objectives, which his successor Rick Perry further advanced, establishing Texas as a leader in wind and solar energy.

“Nowadays, everything is viewed through a political lens; everything is either identified as red or blue,” he remarked.

There has been a notable decline in support among conservative Republicans for government initiatives aimed at advancing clean energy, falling from 54% to 24% over the past five years, according to a Yale/George Mason University survey from this spring. Additionally, moderate Republican support has decreased from 70% to 49%.

Edward Maibach, a climate communication specialist at George Mason University, expressed that it’s understandable why Republican support for clean energy has significantly decreased in recent times. This trend comes on the heels of negative commentary from Trump and Fox News about renewable energy.

The Conservative Energy Network (CEN) was established to offer a different perspective on renewable energy, specifically at the state and local levels, according to its founders.

Stover remarked, “I want to make electricity unexciting again. We need grown-up discussions about energy. It shouldn’t be a division where solar and wind supporters are viewed negatively, and coal and oil proponents are seen positively.”

CEN engages with communities involved in zoning decisions where renewable projects are currently facing obstacles. An analysis by YSL News revealed in February that over 15% of U.S. counties have essentially put a stop to new large-scale wind, solar, or both energy developments.

In aiming to restore the idea of energy independence as a core conservative principle, CEN, along with related groups like the Land & Liberty Coalition, focuses on grassroots efforts. They dedicate their time not just in state capitals but also in places like churches, county fairs, zoning boards, and city council meetings, delivering a solidly Republican message about topics often dismissed as liberal nonsense.

They advocate for a comprehensive approach to energy, discussing various topics including geothermal energy, nuclear power, hydrogen energy hubs, and industrial carbon capture at their summits.

Szoka, a former Republican state legislator in South Carolina, emphasized the importance of having a reliable conservative voice to confront the widespread misinformation. “We are that voice,” he stated.

However, not all Republicans regard renewable energy as a leftist agenda. Surveys indicate that a sizable number of Republicans are in favor of increasing solar (70%) and wind (60%) energy, alongside traditional oil and gas drilling.

For example, Drew Bond from the Conservative Coalition for Climate Solutions recently met a solar energy user in Pahrump, Nevada, who is a Vietnam veteran living in the desert. Despite driving a diesel truck and a Chevy Bolt, he was wearing a Trump bandana.

The main takeaway? “We need to stop labeling people.”

This idea resonated positively even with those from more liberal organizations.

Colin Leyden from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) addressed the conference, noting that while EDF is often viewed as left-leaning, it has historically supported candidates on the right. However, in recent years, identifying Republican candidates to endorse has become a challenge.

“I’m pleased to note that the climate discourse on the right is evolving,” he shared.

He also recognized that those on the left should be more transparent about the compromises related to wind and solar energy, like the land they occupy, which is predominantly in rural and farming regions.

“While we often address climate denial, there’s also a tendency to ignore trade-offs,” he mentioned.

Combatting false information and advocating for free markets

CEN actively operates in 25 states, focusing on advocating for the property rights of farmers and ranchers who wish to install solar or wind farms, pushing back against excessive regulations, and facilitating the development of energy projects that significantly benefit rural regions without imposing tax increases, according to Bradley Pischea, national director of the Land & Liberty Coalition.

They are also engaged in efforts to dispel false claims about new energy technologies, such as misleading articles suggesting wind turbines harm people, solar panels leak toxins, offshore wind farms endanger whales, and high voltage power lines cause cancer.

“If I could do anything to promote renewable energy, it would be to eliminate Facebook entirely,” Stover mentioned.

To counter misinformation, a conservative stance is essential, Szoka argued. If someone from Greenpeace talks at a Kansas county council meeting, their message may fall on deaf ears. However, a speaker experienced in pro-life advocacy, gun rights, or tax cuts would likely be taken more seriously.

Sometimes, engaging with liberal funding sources is necessary for those in the “eco-right” movement, Szoka added. While the organization relies on financial support from energy companies, it also receives funding from philanthropic organizations like the MacArthur Foundation, Argosy, McKnight, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

“CEN may not agree with all the political views of its donors, but it shares the objective of achieving a clean energy transition, which is vital for maintaining America’s competitive edge in this change,” he explained.

Ultimately, consumers will naturally gravitate toward the most affordable power, which today is often wind and solar, according to John Berger, President and CEO of Sunnova Energy in Houston.

“Costs will decrease, and prices will drop, leading us to effectively tackle the climate crisis,” he stated. “It’s crucial for the government to refrain from interfering in the energy sector to unleash technologies that can facilitate this shift.”