The future of clean energy, its challenges, and its transformative potential were the central focus of a recent public conversation at the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society.
Titled "From Capitol Hill to the Capital Markets: Charting the Clean Energy Future," the event featured two distinguished alums with experience in energy policy: Abigail Ross Hopper '93, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, and former U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster '78, D-N.H. Jonathan Silverthorne '08, director of the Revers Center for Energy, Sustainability, and Innovation, moderated the discussion in the Irving Institute atrium.
Silverthorne began the Nov. 3 conversation by setting the context, describing the current moment in energy as "pivotal" and "supercharged." He highlighted significant shifts in energy priorities across different administrations, noting the dramatic shift from previous support for renewables to new skepticism over wind and solar development. Key trends include the dramatic growth in renewables over the last decade, escalating electricity demand driven by data centers for artificial intelligence, and increased partisanship over energy. Silverthorne emphasized the importance of fostering a shared understanding and inquired how to build bipartisanship for a clean energy future.
Kuster, who served in the U.S. House from 2013 to 2025, offered a historical perspective on her engagement with clean energy, including her work as a Congressional staffer from 1978 to 1981. She recalled the evolving understanding of fossil fuel impacts, stating, "We were learning that fossil fuels were a problem. (We) didn't understand the impact of auto emissions. It evolved."
During her 12 years in the U.S. House, Kuster was actively involved in initiatives like the House of Representatives Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition and the Bipartisan Ski and Snowboard Caucus, underscoring her commitment to cross-party collaboration on energy issues.
Kuster emphasized that effectively addressing energy and climate challenges requires framing the narrative around lowering costs and creating new jobs to garner broad support in light of opposition from the current administration in Washington. She asserted that in an environment where renewables are often the least costly energy resource, create good jobs, and save the planet, "we need to emphasize the cost issue."
Despite retiring from public service, Kuster continues to advocate for a transition to renewables—promoting an approach that leaves no one behind. She pointed out that, just as fossil fuels receive government support, clean energy innovation also benefits from research funding and tax incentives. Kuster suggested emphasizing that fossil fuels are finite, while renewables are "infinite energy" sources, reflecting on how countries like China have embraced this concept as a strategic pathway to future competitiveness and lower costs.
Hopper provided an insider's view from her extensive career in energy policy and advocacy. A lawyer by training, her energy career began in state regulatory commissions, leading her to direct the Maryland energy administration, where she managed a diverse portfolio including nuclear, liquefied natural gas, coal, natural gas, energy efficiency, and renewables. She later served at the Obama administration's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, overseeing oil and gas permitting and offshore wind development.
As CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, Hopper has a unique vantage point on industry dynamics. She described the remarkable growth of solar and storage, noting an increase from 35 gigawatts of solar in the U.S. when she joined SEIA in 2017 to approximately 255 GW today. This surge was due to significant cost reductions driven by market adoption and advancements in manufacturing and processing. Hopper highlighted that solar and storage have recently been outcompeting fossil fuels, and are projected to account for 82% of new energy construction in 2025.
Silverthorne probed the impact of recent policy changes and executive orders, particularly those related to the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed in 2022 during the Biden administration and included billions of dollars in clean energy investments. Hopper noted that while funding for projects is not the main obstacle, the pace of policy implementation and permitting is crucial. She lamented that permitting has been turned into a tool across federal agencies to thwart renewable energy projects.
This has resulted in the cancellation of major projects, such as a 1.5 GW solar installation in Nevada and offshore wind initiatives in New England. She also expressed frustration that despite compelling data supporting clean energy, "facts don't matter anymore. I have talking points and facts and studies. It just doesn't matter."
Hopper emphasized the recent shift in U.S. electricity consumption, which had been flat for a decade and is now rapidly increasing due to the proliferation of data centers, AI growth, and electrification, making the need for reliable energy sources like solar coupled with storage even more urgent. "We cannot meet the demand without solar and storage," she said. "It is mind-numbingly frustrating because everything we bring to the table is in line with stated goals, and still dismissed."
Both speakers also highlighted the "not-in-my-backyard" opposition to energy projects like transmission lines and other essential development as a major obstacle to advancing energy infrastructure. This local opposition, coupled with reluctance from some traditional environmental groups to support infrastructure improvements, remains a significant barrier to realizing the full potential of clean energy expansion, they said.
The dialogue then shifted to the role of state-level action and private sector finance. Hopper explained that "states are where the action is," increasingly becoming the focal points of energy policy development. She pointed out that while funding is available, policy volatility directly impacts growth.
Kuster reinforced the idea that emphasizing "lower-cost energy equals clean energy" can be an effective strategy for broadening appeal, especially among diverse political groups. She cited the bipartisan Ski and Snowboard Caucus as an example of how common ground can be found to promote cross-aisle conversations on issues like permitting reform.
Concluding the session, Silverthorne asked the panelists for sources of hope and advice. Kuster pointed to the enthusiasm of students and young professionals as a significant source of optimism, stating, "You all give me hope." She advised focusing on tangible benefits like cost savings as a more effective way to drive adoption and shift perspectives.
Hopper echoed Kuster's sentiments and went on to say, "Energy is the most exciting part of the economy…our entire economy is premised on it…If you've decided to go into energy as a career, you've made the right choice. We might not know exactly what all the policy parameters are today, and I can only promise you that they will change."
Hopper concluded with the idea that "The market will win. This is America. The market will win. Stick with it. Don't be afraid of a little bump along the road, it's just part of the journey."
This dialogue was part of the Irving Institute's Class of 1972 Great Issues in Energy, Climate and Society Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the Revers Center and the Rockefeller Center for Public Policy.