Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future (CCEF) is a center-right organization that advocates for the election of Republican candidates in favor of providing tax credits, carbon trading, and other subsidies for weather-dependent forms of energy. ¹ While CCEF supports most forms of taxpayer-funded subsidies for weather-dependent energy, it places particular emphasis on subsidies in the farming and agriculture sector. ² CCEF endorses state- and municipal-level candidates. ³

Background and Activities

Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future was created in 2018 by Mark Pischea to advocate for “innovation-led free-market approach to energy” that supports increasing the use of weather-dependent sources of energy. ⁴ CCEF’s solutions for developing new sources of energy involve either tax credits for weather-dependent energy generators or direct government investment and funding. ⁵

CCEF supported the “Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021,” a bill that would provide increased government funding and support for weather-dependent energy in the farming and agriculture sectors. ⁶ The bill would increase funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to advertise its “carbon market” program, which provides “credits” to farmers who reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. ⁷ The bill more provides farmers information about the availability of USDA carbon credits to incentivize buying into the program and funding for technical assistance. ⁸

The projects set forth in the bill are to be funded by funds appropriated in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, as well as a separate $4.2 million appropriation. ⁹

CCEF compiles a list of candidates it has endorsed at both the state and municipal levels, referring to them as “CCEF Champions” for supporting taxpayer funded weather-dependent energy projects. ¹⁰

In 2022, CCEF supported politicians in 16 states, including state legislators, governors, mayors, and city commissioners. ¹¹

Finances

In 2019, Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future received $53,985 in contributions, ¹² made $67,500 in grant contributions to other organizations, ¹³ and spent $188,102 on professional fees and independent contractors, ¹⁴ totaling $297,322 in total expenses. ¹⁵ It reported $19,577 in net assets. ¹⁶

Leadership

Mark Paschea was the president of Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future from 2018 to 2022. ¹⁷ Prior to establishing CCEF, Paschea was a former Michigan Republican State Committee political director and served as the deputy executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee from 1991 until 1993. ¹⁸ While working as the president of CCEF, Paschea was also the president of the Conservative Energy Network, another center-right organization that advocates for taxpayer funded subsidies for -weather-dependent energy generation. ¹⁹

Mark Paschea passed away in 2022, and as of August 2022, the Conservative Energy Network is undertaking a national search for its next president. ²⁰

1. “About CCEF.” Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://www.conservatives4energy.org/about-ccef
2. “GCSA – Support The Growing Climate Solutions Act.” Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://www.conservatives4energy.org/gcsa
3. “GCSA – Support The Growing Climate Solutions Act.” Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. https://www.conservatives4energy.org/gcsa
4. “Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future Names 2021 Clean Energy Champions.” Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. July 27, 2021. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://capitalsoup.com/2021/07/27/conservatives-for-a-clean-energy-future-names-2021-clean-energy-champions/
5. “Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future Names 2021 Clean Energy Champions.” Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. July 27, 2021. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://capitalsoup.com/2021/07/27/conservatives-for-a-clean-energy-future-names-2021-clean-energy-champions/
6. “GCSA – Support The Growing Climate Solutions Act.” Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://www.conservatives4energy.org/gcsa
7. “GCSA – Support The Growing Climate Solutions Act.” Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://www.conservatives4energy.org/gcsa
8. “GCSA – Support The Growing Climate Solutions Act.” Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://www.conservatives4energy.org/gcsa
9. “S.1251 – Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021.” Congress.Gov. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1251/text
10. “2022 CLEAN ENERGY CHAMPIONS.” Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://www.conservatives4energy.org/ccef-champs
11.  “2022 CLEAN ENERGY CHAMPIONS.” Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://www.conservatives4energy.org/ccef-champs
12. Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2019. Part 1, Line 9.
13. Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2019. Part 1, Line 10.
14. Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2019. Part 1, Line 13.
15. Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2019. Part 1, Line 17.
16. Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2019. Part 1, Line 21.
17. “Mark Paschea.” Linkedin. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpischea
18. “Mark Paschea” Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpischea
19. “Statement from CEN Board of Directors on Death of Founder & President Mark Pischea” Conservative Energy Network. July 18, 2022. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://www.conservativeenergynetwork.org/statement-from-cen-board-of-directors-remembering-mark-pischea/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=statement-from-cen-board-of-directors-remembering-mark-pischea
20.  Statement from CEN Board of Directors on Death of Founder & President Mark Pischea” Conservative Energy Network. July 18, 2022. Accessed August 9, 2022. https://www.conservativeenergynetwork.org/statement-from-cen-board-of-directors-remembering-mark-pischea/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=statement-from-cen-board-of-directors-remembering-mark-pischea