How Clean Energy Became a Pillar of U.S. National Security: A Case Study on Securing Historic Energy Investments

Actor Mark Ruffalo joins U.S. Army veteran Kevin Johnson on MSNBC to discuss President Biden’s ability to ramp up clean energy in defense of national security under the Defense Production Act.

The Challenge

In February 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted global energy markets, creating a pivotal moment for U.S. energy policy. As gas prices surged, the crisis highlighted the need to strengthen U.S. energy security and independence. This moment underscored the importance of diversifying our energy portfolio, integrating more clean and renewable sources to bolster national security and reduce reliance on volatile markets.

Our Strategy

Recognizing this opportunity, we partnered with veterans groups, national security experts, and clean energy advocates to elevate clean energy as a key component of America’s defense strategy. Together, we launched the “Clean Energy Freedom” PSA, voiced by Sophia Bush, urging President Biden to use the Defense Production Act to ramp up domestic clean energy production. By linking clean energy to national security and independence, we built a diverse coalition—from veterans to activists—and amplified our message through media appearances, public endorsements, and direct engagements with the White House and U.S. Department of Energy.

The ‘Clean Energy Freedom’ PSA voiced by actress Sophia Bush.

Impact

The response was immediate and impactful:

• Historic Policy Action: President Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to accelerate clean energy production, marking a historic decision that positioned clean energy as vital to U.S. national security and independence.

• Advancing Key Legislation: Our efforts helped drive momentum for the Inflation Reduction Act, with endorsements from figures like Mark Ruffalo and Chris Evans bolstering support for increased clean energy investments.

• Broadening the Energy Conversation: By highlighting the importance of diversifying our energy portfolio, we helped shift the narrative, emphasizing that clean energy is not just an environmental necessity but a strategic asset for national security and independence.

Key Insights

This campaign demonstrated the effectiveness of framing clean energy within the broader context of national security and independence. By advocating for a diversified energy strategy, we broadened the conversation, showcasing how clean energy enhances U.S. resilience and drives policy forward. This approach serves as a powerful model for future efforts to align clean energy with the nation’s most critical interests.