thriving economy project

A coalition of members of Congress, former senior congressional aides, officials from multiple presidential administrations, and leading energy and environmental policy experts are collaborating on a new policy blueprint aimed at strengthening economic competitiveness, creating jobs, and delivering affordable and reliable energy for American families and businesses. 

The project will culminate in a landmark report to be released on September 15th, 2026, outlining a roadmap to build the economy Americans want - one that creates opportunity and long-term growth while recognizing that a truly thriving economy depends on protecting the natural resources and environment that communities across the country rely on. 

Rep. Kathy Castor - SEEC Institute Board Member and former Chair of the U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis - is Chair for the project.

KEY ISSUE AREAS

The Thriving Economy Project report will feature recommendations in nine key issue areas that will be shepherded by a member of Congress and one or more policy experts.

  • Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) – Project Chair; Thriving, Affordable, Resilient Communities

  • Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) – 21st Century Agricultural Opportunities

  • Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) – Growing Rural Economies

  • Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-OR) – Safe, Clean, and Prosperous Ecosystems

  • Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) – Cheap, Abundant, and Clean American Energy for All

  • Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC) – Next-Generation Energy Technology Researched, Developed, and Built in America

  • Rep. George Whitesides (D-CA) – A Nationally Secure, Globally Competitive Energy Sector

  • Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) – Accessible, Low-Cost Finance for a Clean Energy Future

  • Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI) – Government That Delivers

  • The project team is led by Eric Fins, Vice President at Grove Climate Group and former Deputy Staff Director of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.

Explore the drop down menu to learn more about the chapters and policy experts!

  • 21st Century Agricultural Opportunities

    Congressional Lead:  Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL)  

    Policy Expert Lead: Callie Eideberg, Principal at The Vogel Group, former  Senior Professional Staffer for Senate Agriculture Committee (majority) 

    America’s food system is at risk. Farming practices and business models that worked for decades are struggling to keep up with modern economic realities. Farmers now rely on a variety of income sources to make ends meet and continue to provide the agricultural products that our communities and economy need. New technologies, practices, and strategies, such as innovative insurance design and risk exposure mitigation, will help manage landscapes, increase efficiencies, and support economies of scale to meet today’s challenges. Farmers are the backbone of our country, and policies are needed to not only support them, but empower them to grow our economy. 

    Growing Rural Economies 

    Congressional Lead:  Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM)  

    Policy Expert Lead:  MacKenzie Bills, Founder and CEO of MacKenzie Bills Strategies, LLC and Reimagining Rural Assistance Network (RRAN) Policy Consultant; former USAID Philanthropy Advisor

    Rural communities are facing unprecedented challenges, including natural disasters, high costs of equipment and labor, lack of economic mobility, limited broadband access, water quality and accessibility challenges, and more. These challenges can be leveraged into opportunities tied to manufacturing, advanced technology development, and new agricultural-based revenue streams. Technologies to limit costs while improving output and resilience will spur new development across these communities. 

    Thriving, Affordable, Resilient Communities 

    Congressional Lead:  Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL)  

    Policy Expert Lead:  Samantha A. Medlock, Founder & President, Climate Risk Advisors; former FEMA Assistant Administrator, Senior Counsel of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, and Senior Advisor in the Executive Office of the President, CEQ, and OMB  

    Communities are the lifeblood of the American economy and bedrock of family life. From urban neighborhoods to rural areas, economic headwinds paired with increasingly severe and frequent climate threats are placing new and continued challenges directly on the doorsteps of all Americans. Overcoming these new, but growing, challenges present wide-ranging opportunities across a multitude of sectors, including adaptation and resilience, insurance, wildfire prevention, environmental justice, housing security and affordability, transportation, and more.

    Safe, Clean, and Prosperous Ecosystems

    Congressional Lead:  Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-OR)  

    Policy Expert Lead:  Rebecca Jablonski-Diehl, former aide at the Department of the Interior, NOAA and U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis  

    Our nation’s natural resources are our greatest assets. They provide sustenance, economic opportunity, and hold the key to critical protections from a rapidly changing climate. National parks and other public lands are some of the most important economic drivers across the country, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, like hunting, fishing, hiking, playing, rock-climbing, wildlife watching, and more. But they cannot be taken for granted. From the oceans to public lands, and everything in between, responsible stewardship, rooted in science and undertaken collaboratively as these are shared resources, helps maintain a healthy environment and growing economy.

  • Cheap, Abundant, and Clean American Energy for All

    Congressional Lead: Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA)  

    Policy Expert Lead: Fatima Ahmad, Founder & CEO, AI For Energy LLC; Former Senior Counsel, House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis; Former Political Appointee, U.S. Department of the Interior; Former Attorney-Advisor, NOAA  

    A growing economy must have the tools and infrastructure required to meet increasing electricity demand. It currently takes longer to connect energy resources to the grid than it did for the U.S. to enter, fight, and win World War II. Streamlined and forward-thinking growth policies, centered around communities’ needs, are integral to allowing American industry to meet the moment and deliver on the economy promised to all Americans. Improved federal and state processes, novel approaches such as expanded grid and load flexibility, and technological advancements in grid digitalization and intelligent systems for interconnection queues and for grid efficiency, flexibility, and resilience will maintain an affordable energy supply without compromising or inhibiting economic and demand growth. Increased electricity demand will also pull forward commercialization of clean, firm power technologies. Smart policies are needed to ensure ratepayers benefit from all of these changes.

    Next-Generation Energy Technology Researched, Developed, and Built in America

    Congressional Lead: Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC)  

    Policy Expert Lead: Evan Chapman, Senior Director, Tomorrow Energy Partners, former Clean Air Task Force U.S. federal policy director; former Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman Donald McEachin

    Technology is the cornerstone of clean energy development and implementation. For over a century, American technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation have pushed boundaries and led the world. The transition to a sustainable economy can, and should, be no different. Fostering an innovation ecosystem will drive technological advancement across the economy, including in AI for scientific research and manufacturing, next-generation power technologies like fusion, and industrial decarbonization of energy-intensive trade-exposed sectors like steel and cement.  

    A Nationally Secure, Globally Competitive Energy Sector

    Congressional Lead:  Rep. George Whitesides (D-CA)  

    Policy Expert Leads:  Julia Greensfelder, Director of Policy and International Programming, SEEC Institute and Eric Fins, Vice President, Grove Climate Group and former Deputy Staff Director of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.

    America cannot be energy secure if it continues to be reliant on foreign competitors. Critical mineral supply chains are disproportionately controlled by China and other adversaries, creating significant energy security concerns across American industry. Onshoring supply chains, strengthening relationships with allies and strategic partners, and expanding domestic resources are key parts of securing America’s energy future. 

  • Accessible, Low-Cost Finance for a Clean Energy Future

    Congressional Lead:  Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL)  

    Policy Expert Leads:  Satyam Khanna, President of Khanna Economic Strategies LLC; former Senior Advisor in the Office of the EPA Administrator; former Senior Counselor to former SEC Chair Allison Lee and former SEC Commissioner Robert Jackson  

    Tim Profeta, Principal at Novi Strategies LLC and Executive in Residence and Founding Director of the Nicholas Institute at Duke; former Special Counsel for the Power Sector at EPA and Counsel to Sen. Joe Lieberman  

    Financial systems need to work both today and for the economy of the future. Access to low-cost and flexible financing can unlock economic growth in communities from the ground up.  Financial policies, such as carbon credits, carbon pricing, growth-focused tax credits, and conduit financing, are just a few examples of how the financial institutions of today can be leveraged to empower sustained economic growth now and into the future.

  • Government that Delivers

    Congressional Lead: Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)  

    Policy Expert Leads: Satyam Khanna, President of Khanna Economic Strategies LLC; former Senior Advisor in the Office of the EPA Administrator; former Senior Counselor to former SEC Chair Allison Lee and former SEC Commissioner Robert Jackson  

     Tim Profeta, Principal at Novi Strategies LLC and Executive in Residence and Founding Director of the Nicholas Institute at Duke; former Special Counsel for the Power Sector at EPA and Counsel to Sen. Joe Lieberman  

    The federal government is a vital partner in unlocking an economy that drives growth while protecting consumers. But the challenges the government faces today are different and new. Creating efficient institutional systems that serve the people and enable forward-looking, adaptive policy development and implementation is a key component of achieving climate-ready clean energy and economic goals.

steering committee

Composed of a diverse, bipartisan coalition of former senior advisers, private-sector leaders, advocates, and nationally respected energy and environmental policy experts, the project’s Steering Committee will help shape a practical and ambitious set of recommendations. Working alongside Members of Congress and leading voices from former administrations and Capitol Hill, the Committee will bring deep expertise and a broad set of perspectives.

Farah Ahmad, President, Partners for Rural Transformation 

  • Former Special Advisor for Economic Development, National Economic Council 

  • Former Deputy Undersecretary for Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Christopher Coes, Executive Director, America FWD 

  • Former Assistant Secretary for Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation 

  • Former Senior Fellow for Metropolitan Policy Program, The Brookings Institution 

Trevor Falk, Special Assistant to the President for Energy Policy at North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU)

  • Former Deputy Executive Director of Government Affairs, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)

Patrick Flynn, Founder, Switchboard  

  • Former Sustainability Lead, Salesforce 

  • Advisor to Generation Investment Management, TOPO Finance, Tradewater and Symbiosis  

Saul Griffith, Founder and Chief Scientist, Otherlab and Rewiring America 

  • Author of “Electrify” (2021) and “The Big Switch” (2022) 

Chelsea Henderson, Director of Editorial Content, RepublicEn 

  • Former Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Senator John Warner (R-VA) 

  • Former Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee 

Len Hering Sr., President, Center for Sustainable Energy 

  • Advisory Board Member, Center for Climate & Security 

  • Rear Admiral, United States Navy (Ret). 

Jay Inslee

  • Former Governor, State of Washington 

  • Former U.S. Representative, WA-04 & WA-01 

Aurene Martin, Founder and President, Spirit Rock Consulting 

  • Former Acting Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior 

Monica Medina, Arnhold Distinguished Fellow, Conservation International & Board Member, Scientista 

  • Former Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, International Environment, and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State 

  • Former Special Assistant to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Defense 

John Morales, Founder and Senior Meteorologist, ClimaData & Co-Chair of Campaigns, ClimatePower 

  • Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Television, 1993, 2006, 2010, and 2018 

  • Former Chief Meteorologist and Hurricane Specialist, NBC 6 South Florida 

Mike Murphy, CEO, American EV Jobs Alliance 

  • Former senior strategist to John McCain’s 2000 presidential campaign; Arnold Schwarzenegger’s successful California gubernatorial campaign; GOP Governors and Senators, including Jeb Bush, Mitt Romney, Terry Branstad, Lamar Alexander, Jeff Sessions. Slade Gorton, Christie Whitman, Dirk Kempthorne, Tommy Thompson and John Engler.  

Lisa Harshad Patel, M.D., Executive Director, The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health 

  • 2007 recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Trudy A. Speciner Award 

  • Former Policy Lead, Climate, Health and Equity Task Force at Stanford University 

  • Former Co-chair, American Academy of Pediatrics Advocacy Committee, California Chapter 1 

Joanne Pérodin, PhD, MPH, Vice President of Programs, CLEO Institute 

  • Former Appointee, White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council 

Ann Phillips

  • Former Maritime Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation 

  • Rear Admiral, United States Navy (Ret.) 

  • Former Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection, State of Virginia 

Costa Samaras, Trustee Professor and Director, Carnegie Mellon University Scott Institute for Energy Innovation 

  • Former Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Principal Assistant Director for Energy and Chief Advisor for the Clean Energy Transition, White House 

  • Former Adjunct Senior Policy Researcher, RAND Corporation 

Roger Sant, Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus, The AES Corporation 

  • Former Assistant Administrator for Energy Conservation and the Environment, Federal Energy Administration 

Jigar Shah, Co-Managing Partner, Multiplier* 

  • FormerDirector, U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office 

  • Co-founder and former President, Generate Capital 

Jeffrey Thompson, M.D., CEO Emeritus and Chairman of the Board, Gundersen Lutheran Health System 

Maggie Ullman, Founder and Principal, Ullman Consulting & City Councilwoman, City of Asheville 

Thriving Economy Project In Action

Even though the evidence is clear, many Americans still don’t connect climate action with economic growth. The Thriving Economy Project aims to change that. SEEC Institute is working to outline what a thriving economy can look like, one with growing local economies, good-paying jobs, a better quality of life, and cheap, reliable clean energy

A key part of this effort is hearing directly from people across the country as part of the policy development process. We’re gathering input from elected officials, industry leaders, community members, and policy experts through field visits, workshops, listening sessions, and conversations. By bringing together people with firsthand experience, we can develop policies that are more likely to work in the real world.

Join the conversation on LinkedIn for the latest Thriving Economy Project updates, event highlights,  and opportunities to engage.

At the third annual SEEC Institute Solutions Summit, nearly 400 leaders, including 24 Members of Congress, came together for a full day of collaborative discussions on America's climate and economic future. Many of the day's interactive breakout sessions were organized around chapters of the Thriving Economy Project, giving cross-sector participants the opportunity to work directly with Members of Congress, policy experts, and chapter leads to contribute ideas and identify gaps ahead of the Project's release.

Congresswoman Kathy Castor joined the Climate Action Campaign for an Extreme Weather People’s Hearing.

The hearing examined how increasingly extreme weather events are threatening the lives and livelihoods of residents in Tampa Bay. It featured environmental advocates, public-health experts, and other community members.

“When you're talking about climate change, it's not just about the weather, it's about your wallet, as well. And nobody can tell the stories better than a lot of the folks who have lived it here across Tampa Bay.” -Rep. Kathy Castor

Coverage from: WUSF | Fox13 | Tampa Bay Times

We hosted a roundtable with Rep. Mike Levin at the Intersolar and Energy Storage North America Conference in San Diego, convening clean energy leaders including U.S. solar and energy storage manufacturers and subject matter experts to discuss strengthening domestic solar and storage manufacturing. Grounded in the Thriving Economy Project, the conversation focused on how Congress can help restore U.S. competitiveness and build a resilient, 21st-century electric grid.

In DC, our event Global Shocks, Local Costs convened experts from the security and climate ecosystems to examine how geopolitical instability is driving real economic consequences here at home — from rising energy bills to disrupted supply chains and growing infrastructure risks. The event, co-hosted by The Earth Commons at Georgetown University, featured recorded introductory remarks from Rep. Kathy Castor and Rep. George Whitesides, followed by a collaborative roundtables.

Accessible Finance for a Clean Energy Future convened policymakers, financial leaders, and clean energy stakeholders in New York City to address growing challenges in financing the projects and infrastructure needed to scale a clean energy economy. The roundtable featured Reps. Sean Casten, Jennifer McClellan, and Kathy Castor, and focused on identifying root barriers, from capital market constraints to policy and technology risks, and exploring how Congress can work with the U.S. financial sector to advance durable, long-term solutions.

“SEEC Institute’s Thriving Economy Project will provide a strong policy blueprint to reduce pollution, lower costs and build safer communities. The project will develop an innovative action plan that combines clean energy, sustainable manufacturing and climate resilience solutions.

Policymakers, industry experts and community leaders should gather their new ideas, new technologies and new coalitions to help inform the Thriving Economy Project and benefit our communities in the years ahead.” 

-Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14)

Rep. Maxine Dexter on the Thriving Economy Project

Rep. Maxine Dexter joined the Scientista podcast with Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and former Assistant Secretary of State Monica Medina. She discussed the Thriving Economy Project's vision for building an economy where environmental and economic prosperity go hand in hand, highlighting how investments in nature can lower costs and strengthen communities.

Rep. Kathy Castor on the Thriving Economy Project

Rep. Kathy Castor joined the Energy Empire podcast with Jigar Shah to discuss the future of climate and economic policy. They talk about why the Sunshine State gets 75% of its electricity from gas, the Thriving Economy Project, with 1,200 policy proposals already in, and next steps for permitting reform.

Rep. Kathy Castor joined The Julie Mason Show on SiriusXM to expand on her Thriving Economy Project op-ed in the Tampa Bay Times, speaking directly to Americans about what climate action means for family budgets. She stressed that cutting pollution and expanding clean energy isn’t just about protecting the planet - it’s about lowering household energy costs, creating good jobs, and building healthier, more resilient communities. These themes are central to SEEC Institute’s Thriving Economy Project.