NCEL at Climate Week NYC 2025: State Leadership on Full Display

Overview

From September 22-26, NCEL attended NYC Climate Week 2025 for our largest Climate Week offering yet. With federal climate progress facing daily setbacks, NCEL’s presence underscored the growing importance of state-led solutions and highlighted how states are already leading with climate policies that can withstand headwinds at the federal level to deliver a sustainable, just, and affordable future.

NCEL had numerous state legislator members and six staff in attendance to host two key events, participate in various sessions, and help launch the new Electric Innovation Initiative.

Climate Happy Hour

On Tuesday of Climate Week, NCEL hosted its third annual Climate Happy Hour with Climate Cabinet Education, Data for Progress, and Evergreen Collaborative. Over 200 attendees from throughout the climate space learned how states are leading on climate solutions amidst federal retreat while celebrating the state lawmakers advancing innovative new funding mechanisms, streamlining renewable energy deployment, and lowering energy costs for communities.

Speakers included NCEL members Senator Brian Kavanagh (NY), Delegate Lorig Charkoudian (MD), and Assemblymember Howard Watts (NV), as well as U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Doreen Carter (President and CEO of NYSERDA), and Jigar Shah (former Director of the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office).

Nature-Based Climate Solutions Panel

On Wednesday, NCEL hosted a panel discussion in partnership with the Doris Duke Foundation at the Climate Week Nature Hub, highlighting how states are integrating forestry and nature-based strategies into climate policy. Moderated by NCEL’s CEO Dylan McDowell, this panel featured Senator Dawn Euer (RI), Representative Lori Gramlich (ME), and Senator Chris Lee (HI) to showcase how states from Hawaii to the Northeast are implementing forest-focused policies that protect biodiversity, address climate change, and support beneficial community outcomes.

Electric Innovation Initiative

Later in the week, the NCEL team was proud to help kick off the Electric Innovation Initiative with two events. The Initiative – whose founders include NCEL Board Members Chris Lee and David Hochschild – is intended to advance the electrification of the American economy by bringing together policymakers, stakeholders, and innovators around solutions that benefit the climate, communities, and the economy.

On Wednesday, we celebrated electrification leaders in the public and private sectors at the inaugural Electric Innovation Awards, which included remarks from three NCEL board members and former U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. On Thursday, the NCEL team co-hosted the Electric Innovation Forum with Electric Innovation Initiative and Climate Mayors, where we participated in panels and roundtable discussions focused on strong climate policies being advanced at the state and local levels. 

Looking Ahead

Beyond our hosted events, NCEL’s team was everywhere: speaking on panels, attending sessions, and meeting with partners. NCEL’s Environmental Health team participated in various sessions with partners and lawmakers focused on the importance of climate solutions rooted in justice, coalition-building, and systemic reform. Other topics ranged from environmental justice to bipartisan climate solutions, with new connections emerging and the importance of state climate leadership continuously reaffirmed. 

Climate Week 2025 was a reminder that progress is happening — state by state. As we prepare for the 2026 legislative sessions, NCEL will continue to elevate state leadership, foster regional collaboration, and provide opportunities for lawmakers to learn how to support a healthy climate for all. 

Learn more about upcoming opportunities with NCEL on our News & Events webpage, and visit our website to learn more about the policy issues we work on.