What Experts Are Saying
“The Thriving Economy Project challenges the narrative that economic growth, affordability, energy security and environmental stewardship must be at odds,” said Ernest J. Moniz, who served as the 13th U.S. secretary of energy and is the founder and CEO of the EFI Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan energy think tank. “On the contrary, they must be woven into one conversation, and the Thriving Economy Project does exactly that.”
The United States is at a defining moment. The decisions we make today about our energy, industry, transportation, agriculture, water, and communities will shape our economy and environment for decades to come.
The Thriving Economy Project provides a practical toolkit for moving forward, including solutions around clean energy, lands and waters, farmers and communities, financing, and more. These recommendations, backed by government partners and other stakeholders, can help deliver positive outcomes for the economy and the environment. WRI welcomes this effort and looks forward to seeing these ideas advance.
“The Thriving Economy Project report offers an impressive number of well-thought-out policy options that recognize sustainable solutions are available to significantly grow the U.S. economy while protecting the environment and our natural resources. The policy options focused on the electric grid are especially important with projections of historical growth in the demand for electricity. We need a more robust and resilient grid while taking advantage of the United States’ abundance of clean energy resources and technical know-how to help achieve the economy of the future.”
“For too long, we have been told that we have to choose between a strong economy and a healthy environment. That is a false choice. We can build a resilient, growing economy while tackling climate change, and the Thriving Economy Project offers a roadmap for doing exactly that. Climate Power is proud to see this work come together and believes the report can serve as a blueprint for policymakers.”
“For too long, Americans have been told that we must choose between economic prosperity and protecting our environment. We know that is a false choice, and the Thriving Economy Project makes clear that we can and must do both. We applaud the SEEC Institute for bringing together this roadmap for a stronger, cleaner, more affordable economy.”
“The Thriving Economy Project provides a collaborative menu of policy options for building a modern, affordable U.S. energy system. These recommendations can help reduce pollution while building a more resilient economy powered by reliable, homegrown clean energy. Ceres looks forward to supporting Congress and the SEEC Institute as these ideas move forward.”
“The Thriving Economy Project offers ambitious, far-reaching recommendations and actionable policies that can help address the climate disasters and fossil fuel harms communities are facing. These solutions can protect people and the planet while strengthening the economy. UCS welcomes this effort and its focus on science-based, equitable policies.”
“Families are facing crushing energy bills, an overburdened electric grid, and increasingly dangerous weather. The Thriving Economy Project provides a blueprint for practical energy efficiency solutions that can help address these challenges. Congress has an opportunity to help families by making homes more efficient, affordable, and resilient.”
“Rising energy costs are one of the biggest threats facing American consumers today, particularly lower- and middle-income households who are suddenly spending 10% or 20% of their household budget to heat or cool their home. With this blueprint, SEEC Institute is again showing that it is a serious player in the development of energy policy that will lower bills today while creating a better future for our children and grandchildren. The U.S. Green Building Council particularly appreciates the Institute for pursuing recommendations that would strengthen the energy efficiency and resilience of homes and buildings, which account for about 75% of our electricity use and represent a huge opportunity for cost savings.”
“The Thriving Economy Project recognizes that conservation, clean energy, healthy habitats, and resilient ecosystems are all part of a thriving economy. The recommendations on transmission authorities and public financing provide important tools for getting clean energy built while protecting communities and wildlife. We also appreciate the focus on ensuring that revenues from renewable energy development on public lands can support wildlife, habitat, and outdoor recreation.”
“Americans deserve affordable energy, but too many households are burdened by inefficient systems and high costs. We should not have to choose between affordability and a strong economy. The Thriving Economy Project provides practical ways to make that vision real, including ensuring that growing demand from data centers is met with clean energy, while using tax credits and other policies to create jobs and strengthen the economy. Congress has an important role to play in advancing these solutions.”
“The Thriving Economy Project brings together policy ideas that can help strengthen U.S. competitiveness, create jobs, and ensure affordable, reliable energy. The Business Council for Sustainable Energy appreciates the report’s focus on policy certainty, investment, and lowering costs. These are the kinds of bipartisan solutions that can help the United States take advantage of its energy abundance.”
“We are grateful to SEEC Institute for compiling more than 800 recommendations that can help build a thriving economy. Chapter 5’s focus on geothermal energy is particularly important, and we look forward to working with SEEC Institute and Members of Congress to advance scalable, reliable clean energy solutions.”
“Nuclear energy is a key part of the solution to meeting growing energy demand while maintaining a clean and reliable grid. The Thriving Economy Project recognizes the importance of addressing barriers to nuclear deployment and commercialization and advancing clean firm power.”
The Clean Energy Business Network appreciates the broad range of input reflected throughout the Thriving Economy Project. These ideas can help drive important conversations about affordability, reliability, and U.S. technology competitiveness while supporting a stronger economy.
“Long-duration energy storage is a missing piece of the clean energy transition. As communities face extreme weather events and growing demand for reliable power, federal tools can help address market design, permitting, and manufacturing bottlenecks. The recommendations in the Thriving Economy Project were shaped by this work, and we appreciated the opportunity to work with the SEEC team.”
“This project continues the important work of advancing an economy that works for all Americans. As a SEEC Institute Board Member, I'm so excited and proud to see this out in the world. We must continue the conversation with the urgency that our environmental challenges demand.”
“As Big Tech companies face growing questions about their social license to operate, polling consistently shows that Americans favor clean energy. At the same time, the historic buildout of gas generation is creating new pressures on public health and household finances. The Thriving Economy Project provides a practical blueprint for addressing these challenges and accelerating a cleaner, more affordable energy future.”
“We are pleased to see enhanced geothermal systems included throughout the Thriving Economy Project. The recommendations around geothermal leasing and permitting, exploration de-risking, domestic manufacturing, workforce development, demonstrations, and procurement can help advance energy security and commercialization of this important technology.”
“The Thriving Economy Project recognizes the important role hydrogen can play in America's energy future, including through tax incentives, research and development, and demand-side initiatives. These policies can help maintain U.S. competitiveness and accelerate commercial-scale deployment.”
“The report also recognizes the importance of permitting, pipeline safety, infrastructure repurposing, geologic storage, and a regulatory framework that can support commercial and scalable deployment. We look forward to continuing this work with SEEC Institute.”
“The Thriving Economy Project provides concrete options for giving communities more choice over their energy future while improving affordability and reflecting local priorities. Community choice aggregation can play an important role in that work, and we look forward to working with Congress and federal agencies to advance these ideas.”
“Carbon capture, carbon removal, transportation, storage, and reuse can all play important roles in strengthening the economy, improving energy security, creating jobs, and advancing environmental stewardship. The Thriving Economy Project recognizes the potential of natural gas generation paired with carbon capture and provides pragmatic policy recommendations that Congress can advance.”
“The Thriving Economy Project’s focus on the electric grid is especially important. Communities deserve a grid that works through the enormous transformations ahead, and serving communities affordably should remain the grid’s first purpose. As the United States seeks to lead in AI and other technologies, we should embrace these goals together.”
Additional Support
Ceres
Ceres supports the Thriving Economy Project and its focus on building a modern, affordable U.S. energy system that can reduce pollution, strengthen resilience, and support reliable homegrown clean energy.
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SEMA recognizes the importance of policies that support economic competitiveness, American manufacturing, energy affordability, and reliable access to the technologies needed to power a thriving economy.
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