North Dakota group engages with congressional offices on energy and climate solutions
JAMESTOWN — A team of North Dakota chapter Citizens’ Climate Lobby (ND CCL) members recently traveled to Washington, D.C., where they participated in CCL’s national conference and met with the offices of U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, as well as Rep. Julie Fedorchak. Olivia Schloegel of Jamestown, Moones Alamooti, Ph.D., of Grand Forks and Elizabeth Dorn and Richard Skarie of Minneapolis brought a local and solutions-oriented perspective to discussions on energy, infrastructure, and climate resilience.
Meetings with congressional office staff built on previous conversations and the team revisited
key topics relevant to North Dakota’s energy future. Among the issues discussed were the advancement of geothermal technologies, strengthening grid infrastructure, reforming permitting frameworks and maintaining incentives for clean energy investment. Coordination across levels of government was also discussed, particularly ongoing progress in state during the 69th Legislative Assembly in 2025. North Dakota Senate Bill 2360, introduced by Sens. Kathy Hogan, Claire Cory and Dale Patten, supports a geothermal energy development study, while House Bill 1025, introduced by Legislative Management, advances nuclear energy research and development.
“These were not just policy conversations. They were grounded, productive discussions about North Dakota’s long-term future,” Alamooti said. “We’re especially thankful for the willingness of the offices of Senator Cramer, Senator Hoeven and Representative Fedorchak to listen and explore common ground.”
The 2025 Citizens’ Climate Lobby National Conference in Washington, D.C., brought together
hundreds of citizen advocates, energy professionals, students, and community leaders from
across the country. The conference featured policy briefings on pending climate legislation, skill-building workshops on effective advocacy and communication strategies, and keynote sessions led by nationally recognized experts. From carbon pricing and clean energy innovation to equity-focused panels and storytelling sessions, attendees gained technical
knowledge and interpersonal tools to advocate constructively with their elected officials.
On July 22, Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteers collectively conducted over 400 meetings on Capitol Hill and made more than 2,000 phone calls to Congress from constituents across the
country. This coordinated effort underscores the effectiveness of grassroots advocacy in shaping climate policy through respectful and persistent citizen engagement, participans said.
“Through CCL, everyday people gain the tools and platform to participate in policy conversations that affect our communities,” Schloegel said. “I found the conference and
the lobby day to be empowering. I was especially grateful to hear from Amanda Ripley, a
keynote speaker, about how we can navigate different types of conflict.”
As the group returns to North Dakota, they invite others to get involved.
“Energy, climate, and infrastructure decisions shape the health and prosperity of our state,” Skarie said. “We encourage more North Dakotans, from students to professionals to retirees,
to get involved. Your voice matters.”
The ND CCL team is hopeful for opportunities to continue these conversations with congressional offices throughout the rest of the year in Bismarck.
To learn more or join the North Dakota chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, visit
https://community.citizensclimate.org/groups/home/2221