By Former Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Leadership Council Co-Chair, Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future
This week, I was honored to join my fellow Leadership Council Co-Chairs, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and former Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), in Atlanta, Georgia at the Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) 48th National Conference from April 28-May 2 for important discussions on the state of energy affordability in our country. Natural Allies has long valued its partnership with AABE and we are grateful to AABE’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Cleveland, for his ongoing collaboration and leadership. This week, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AABE to strengthen our partnership with this vital organization and to focus on fostering a diverse and inclusive energy sector that benefits all communities.
Former Senator Mary Landrieu, AABE President and CEO, Ralph Cleveland, and I with the signed MOU.
April 29, 2025: Senator Landrieu Delivers Powerful Keynote Address
Senator Mary Landrieu kicked off the week delivering a powerful keynote address on why natural gas is essential to keeping energy affordable in the energy transition. She spoke truth to power, emphasizing that as we move toward a more diverse energy mix, our choices can’t leave historically marginalized communities behind. She highlighted a recent report from the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) that revealed inadequate natural gas infrastructure—a result of pressure from environmental activists—has resulted in spikes in home energy costs, disproportionately impacting Black communities across America. Senator Landrieu also pointed to several high-potential energy projects that were cancelled as a result of excessive red tape, stressing the importance of permitting reform alongside investments in America’s energy infrastructure.
Former Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) on stage at AABE delivering remarks.
Prior to Senator Landrieu’s keynote, I had the opportunity to deliver opening remarks and attendees enjoyed a compelling video on Natural Allies’ mission, featuring my dear friend Mayor Nutter.
May 1, 2025: Mayor Michael Nutter Joins Affordability Panel
Later in the week, Mayor Michael Nutter participated in a panel discussion titled “Energy Affordability: Ensuring Equitable Access for all Communities. ”The session explored the complex challenges of delivering affordable energy—particularly to low-income and marginalized communities—in the face of rising costs, climate change, and technological advances. Mayor Nutter echoed Senator Landrieu’s remarks on the urgent need for bipartisan permitting reform and highlighted key findings from PPI’s report. He underscored the structural barriers that low-income households face during the clean energy transition and reiterated her call to action on the need for practical, inclusive energy policies. Joining Mayor Nutter on the panel was Kamisha Quates of Entergy Mississippi, Jarred Metoyer of DNV, and Robert Thomas of Southern California Edison and the AABE Board.
From left to right: Moderator Kamisha Quates, Vice President of Reliability, Entergy Mississippi ; former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Jarred Metoyer and Robert Thomas.
On the panel, Mayor Nutter emphasized the importance of an all-of-the-above energy policy that includes natural gas to ensure an equitable energy future.
It was an energizing and inspiring week in Atlanta and it was my pleasure to welcome my fellow Co-Chairs, strengthen our partnership with AABE, and help lead important conversations on the critical role of natural gas in ensuring energy affordability for all.