No Off-Season: Olympians Champion Climate Action on Capitol Hill

Photos by Holly Shankland

Last week, we returned to Washington, D.C., undeterred by election outcomes and determined to carve a bipartisan path for bold climate action. In the face of a shifting political landscape and a new GOP-led Congress, we highlighted the unique power of uniting athletes and advocates to tackle the climate crisis head-on. The stakes couldn’t be higher, but our team rose to the challenge with grit, passion, and an unwavering commitment to securing a future with clean air, clean water, and a healthy planet for generations to come.

Alongside were Olympic climbers Jesse Grupper and Emma Hunt, Olympic skiers Jared Shumate and Troy Murphy, big mountain skier Amie Engerbretson, Olympic runner Fiona O’Keefe, and Olympic mountain biker Christopher Blevins. While on the Hill, we met with 33 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. Together, we laid the groundwork with key House Republicans to defend the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the largest climate bill in U.S. history, which is now at risk under the new administration. The importance of this work cannot be overstated as we secured commitments from several Republican offices that key provisions within the IRA will be protected.

“Clean energy, specifically maintaining clean energy tax credits, is important to congresspeople on both sides of the aisle. Admittedly, after the election I had pretty much written off any environmental legislation being a top issue for the next congress,” said Olympian and Nordic skier Jared Shumate. “However, after the trip, I am optimistic that preserving portions of the IRA will be a priority in the new Congress.”

In addition, our mission to advance bipartisan support for POW’s endorsed legislation, the Energizing Our Communities Act (EOCA), was highly productive and we’re optimistic about bipartisan progress on the EOCA in the new Congress.

Here is What We Were Advocating For:

• Strengthen relationships to safeguard key parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, like Clean Energy Tax Credits.
• Learn about permitting reform and what changes to expect with the 119th Congress.
• Discuss the reintroduction of the EOCA in the House and Senate while we work towards bi-partisan support. 
• Explore ways POW can promote progress and support bipartisan legislation in the new GOP-led Congress.

POW athletes humanized the climate crisis, connecting personal narratives like Fiona O’Keefe’s experience with Hurricane Helene to critical issues like grid stability and clean energy. This approach underscored POW’s strength in forging links between policy and lived experience, solidifying their position as champions for effective, bipartisan climate action.

“Getting the chance to speak face-to-face with lawmakers was truly empowering, and I was pleasantly surprised by how positive the overall dialogue was with members from both political parties. It feels like there’s a real willingness to sincerely engage in these conversations,” said Olympian and POW Run Alliance member Fiona O’Keeffe. “However, I’m also aware of the massive challenges that we’ll face with the new administration. It’s great to see that POW has concrete policy ideas and solutions even with the uncertain landscape. Defending the IRA and looking at ways to improve transmission and clean energy generally were key priorities that we discussed.”

Beyond their participation in meetings on Capitol Hill, Christopher Blevins and Amie Engerbretson contributed to the SEEC Institute’s inaugural Solutions Summit, a gathering designed to revolutionize the climate change dialogue. Sharing the stage with lawmakers and figureheads like Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08), Rep. Eric Sorensen (IL-17), and Anne McBride of the James Beard Foundation, they engaged in a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Rep. Schrier about communicating climate change by mobilizing trusted voices.. The event opened with a screening of Christopher’s film, “How To Recall,” a powerful piece that set the tone for impactful conversations focused on fostering trust and igniting climate action.

“Sharing the stage with congressmen is crazy. I always kind of feel like an imposter up there,” said Amie Engerbretson. “We were able to share our stories and realized that a congressman from IL, a woman from the restaurant industry, and a couple of professional athletes all have a lot in common. The panel was a great place to talk about the Outdoor State and all the potential that lies in this group to be part of the solutions.”

The clock’s ticking. The stakes couldn’t be higher. And POW’s making sure climate action isn’t left out in the cold. 

In the coming months, the POW team will be following up with legislators and their staff on co-sponsorship for the EOCA and discuss 2025 plans to safeguard the IRA. Most importantly, we’ll keep you tuned in and engaged in POW’s work and policy priorities, so that when the moment strikes, you’re ready to join us in taking action. 

Make sure you stay in the loop by joining Team POW, our rad community of people just like you who care about this work. Together, we’re fighting for a cleaner, more resilient future—and we’re not slowing down anytime soon.

Author: Stacie Sullivan

Stacie always knew she wanted to pursue a career in the ski industry from a young age, having first clicked into skis at the age of 4 and writing her 8th grade career project on being a professional skier. While her dreams of becoming a professional athlete didn’t quite pan out the way she planned at […]