Fueling Change: Energy Citizens Break Down Advocacy Barriers

Briana McGrory
Posted September 28, 2023

On a summer Saturday, when they could be at the pool or hiking, Robert and Paulette loaded homemade signs bearing pro-oil and natural gas messages into their car and drove to a busy intersection in Greeley, Colorado, to wave at passing cars and trucks. They considered it a victory when passersby honked a horn or waved a hand in return.

The point of Robert and Paulette’s “honk-and-wave" curbside advocacy was just that – generate some buzz around issues important to Colorado oil and natural gas production, to the state, and to the rest of the country.

They were joined by fellow Energy Citizens in states across America, taking to the streets for the August congressional recess – the period when federal legislators return to their home states and districts.

Advocates like Robert and Paulette participated in honk-and-waves and legislative office drop-in events, where they demonstrated support for oil and natural gas face-to-face with lawmakers, specifically focusing on needed federal permitting reform.

Hundreds of others participated in phone banking efforts, attended events and informational briefing sessions, and sent emails and letters to their legislators.

Just in August alone, Energy Citizens took more than 12,000 actions on key issues such as permitting reform, tailpipe emissions and industry taxes, including:

• More than 9,000 signatures to supporter lists
• 1,000 letters to state and federal legislators
• Nearly 2,000 comments to regulatory agencies like the EPA

Energy Citizens also gave their time, signing up for more than 1,000 volunteer shifts ranging from making calls to attending honk-and-waves.

So now you might be wondering: What’s this all about, and how can I get involved? Read on for more! 

What is "Energy Citizens"?

Energy Citizens (EC) is a grassroots organization of Americans from all 50 states dedicated to advocating for policies that support a strong U.S. oil and natural gas industry. ECs come from a variety of backgrounds: teachers, small business owners, farmers and industry employees, just to name a few. Across the many oil and natural gas issues that unite them, Energy Citizens press politicians for substantive responses to their questions about access to affordable, reliable, secure energy.

Affordable energy helps everyone. The EC program turns interest into action by breaking down the traditional barriers to advocacy: time commitment, technical knowledge and procedural understanding.

ECs receive digestible updates from our program on the key policy issues affecting them at the state, local and national levels. While some may be confused by the many requirements for submitting comments and letters to policymakers, Energy Citizens are trained to advocate directly with their elected officials, turning their support into action that introduces different voices to the political discussion.

Who are some of the voices behind EC?

Energy Citizens use their unique voice to advocate on a full spectrum of issues, from opposing restrictive electric vehicle mandates to calling for permitting reform for vital energy infrastructure projects. Energy Citizens bring their lived experience to these complex issues. Here are just a few examples: 

Flip T: Flip has been a lot of things: a first-generation college graduate, a salesman and even a small business owner. But it wasn’t until he joined the oil and natural gas industry that he found his true calling and passion. As a maintenance superintendent for an oil and natural gas company operating in the Permian Basin in New Mexico, Flip and hardworking people like him are helping to move America forward. He leverages his industry experience in his advocacy work with Energy Citizens.

Tammy M: Tammy is a retired nurse and a farmer in Ohio. She’s a proud oil and natural gas supporter whose family has been involved with the industry for five generations. She joined Energy Citizens to show support for her family members and because she believes that affordable energy is the cornerstone of American prosperity. For example, as a farmer, Tammy must budget for her crop in advance, meaning that energy cost increases can hit her hard. As an EC volunteer, Tammy advocates for policies that keep her state’s oil and natural gas industry strong and ensure access to affordable energy.

Bob P: Our program brings together advocates with diverse perspectives, including Bob, an avid hiker, blogger and environmentalist from New Mexico. This August, he attended several honk-and-waves and office drop-in events. At one, he shared with the staff of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) how he believes carbon capture and storage is key to balancing the country’s energy needs with environmental goals. For him, it’s about protecting nature.

What’s next?

Just like the news cycle, Energy Citizens never stops. We will continue meeting energy and climate challenges at all levels of government and shining a spotlight on how everyday Americans feel about their future.

Join us!

The power of our program rests on the strength of our advocates. Go to Energy Citizens.org to join us and to learn more!