Event Summary
On January 29, AEI’s Brent Orrell and the Brookings Institution’s Tony Pipa hosted Michelle Moore of Groundswell and Benji Backer of the American Conservation Coalition for a panel discussion on environmental sustainability as part of AEI’s “On the Front Porch” series. The conversation centered on how local, innovative strategies can address the tension between energy production and environmental conservation, particularly in rural communities.
Ms. Moore emphasized that clean energy policies offer more than environmental benefits—they can also drive economic growth in rural America. She shared insights from her book, Rural Renaissance: Revitalizing America’s Hometowns Through Clean Power, explaining how sustainable energy projects can improve economic resilience and quality of life, even in under-resourced areas. Mr. Backer focused on market-driven solutions, highlighting the importance of allowing market forces to determine the best energy sources for different regions rather than relying on heavy government intervention. He stressed the need for a balanced approach that includes both environmental protection and economic efficiency, advocating for bipartisan cooperation in energy policy. The event closed with a Q&A, in which panelists discussed the challenges of scaling local solutions nationally and the need for collaboration across political and regional divides.
—Raphaël Colard
Event Description
The tensions between development and sustainability and production and conservation, combined with the ongoing debate over energy sources, have taken center stage in recent years. Join us for the next installment of the “On the Front Porch” series as AEI’s Brent Orrell and the Brookings Institution’s Tony Pipa talk with Michelle Moore of Groundswell and Benji Backer of the American Conservation Coalition about their companies’ distinct approaches to environmental sustainability. Ms. Moore will highlight how clean energy policy can revitalize rural America, while Mr. Backer will emphasize market-driven solutions. Together, they’ll explore how communities across the country can address environmental challenges through innovative and locally focused strategies.
Event Materials
L. Michelle Moore: Rural Renaissance: Revitalizing America’s Hometowns Through Clean Power
Benji Backer: The Conservative Environmentalist: Common Sense Solutions for a Sustainable Future
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