Over the last two years, as federal energy policy whiplashed and an already polarized debate over renewables versus fossil fuels amped up, a new era of advocacy has begun.
At least nine different energy groups have launched since 2024 with a different playbook than the traditional trade associations in Washington. The new guard is more focused on pocketbook issues like affordable utility bills, economic growth, and removing barriers to building energy infrastructure, particularly at the state level, rather than selling any specific technologies. Many are skipping the corporate membership model and instead relying on philanthropy for money. That way, they can avoid the conflicts that arise when corporate members have competing interests — a dynamic that can weaken legacy trade groups’ influence.
The trend reflects several parallel shifts in the energy landscape, these new founders told Latitude Media. For one, relying on federal action is a fragile strategy when the party controlling Washington changes every four years. Plus, state and local governments have more power over permitting, electricity rates, and grid reliability anyway. And finally, utility bills are rising while the costs of clean energy are falling, arming the industry with an economic message after years of being linked to the highly politicized climate movement.
