What We’re Hearing: Clean Energy Messaging in a Volatile Moment
Last week, Silverline was invited to brief a House coalition on what we’re seeing — and hearing — in clean energy communications. The picture? Complicated, but far from bleak.
Our key takeaway: companies aren’t backing away from clean energy. But in a time of political noise and regulatory whiplash, they’re being more strategic — and sometimes quieter — about how they talk about it.
Federal Policy Is Driving the Narrative
Nearly 90% of our surveyed clients are closely tracking federal policy changes, and more than half are experimenting with administration-aligned language around “energy security,” “dominance,” and “abundance.” Messaging tied to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is present — but not dominant. In fact, mentioning the IRA is a non-starter.
Companies are balancing optimism with caution. One client, a domestic battery manufacturer, told us a growth investment was scrapped in a single week due to tariff uncertainty. Others warned of bills like Texas SB 819, which could seriously threaten renewable projects in rural areas.
This isn’t just abstract. As Bloomberg recently reported, Q1 earnings from several renewables firms have reflected this policy-driven uncertainty. At the same time, outlets like Semafor have highlighted how companies are emphasizing economic and workforce benefits to sustain bipartisan support.
Messaging Is Evolving — Fast
Energy communications teams are shifting their language. Our survey of C-level executives found that the top three most emphasized themes are:
Economic benefits
Clean energy
Sustainability
And they’re becoming more selective with terms like “climate” and “cleantech,” using them strategically depending on audience. In purple districts or policy-heavy moments, some terms land better than others.
As we told the coalition: today’s messaging must walk the line between ambition and realism. And it has to resonate across a fragmented audience landscape — from D.C. policymakers to rural voters and corporate boards.
The Bottom Line
Clean energy momentum is real, but it’s not immune to politics. Strategic messaging — that’s grounded in local impact and economic value — is more critical than ever. And Silverline will continue listening, testing, and advising at every step.
Stay tuned for our next client insights pulse survey. To request participation, please contact the author.
