2025 Endorsements

Endorsements on this page include:

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund Endorses
Peter Hubbard for Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), District 3

October 6, 2025
CONTACT: Amy Rawe, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund, amyr@cleanenergyactionfund.org

Atlanta, GA – The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund, which works to make clean energy solutions a top priority for our region’s elected leaders, announced today its endorsement of Peter Hubbard for Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), District 3. 

This endorsement is based on Hubbard’s demonstrated track record of rigor and advocacy for clean and affordable energy, particularly his:

  • Experience testifying as an expert witness to the PSC since 2019
  • Professional technical capabilities, including energy market modeling, which position him as an uncommonly capable and qualified public service commissioner
  • History of pressing for low-cost, clean, and reliable energy 
  • Support for requiring power utilities to pursue all cost-effective energy efficiency
  • Support for expanding solar power in Georgia, including rooftop and medium-scale installations
  • Support for electrifying transportation
  • Support for a better balance of financial risk between utility companies and customers, so that customers don’t bear so much of the risk of corporate decisions, such as fuel cost, project cost overruns, and climate risks

You can read the answers to his candidate questionnaire here.

Dr. Stephen A. Smith, Executive Director of the SACE Action Fund, said about Hubbard, “We are proud to endorse Peter Hubbard for the Georgia PSC. Peter’s experience in understanding utility analysis and planning is unprecedented among the current commissioners and candidates. Georgia citizens are long overdue for a representative on the PSC that not only understands utilities but is independent and can clearly be a voice for the people paying the monthly bill, not just the shareholders of the companies coming before him.”   

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund wishes Hubbard well in his campaign and thanks him for making clean energy a priority. SACE Action Fund urges Georgians across the entire state to vote early for Peter Hubbard for Georgia Public Service Commission, District 3.  Early voting begins October 14 and runs through October 31. Election Day is November 4. Find voting information for the PSC election here.

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Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund (SACE Action Fund), the political arm of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), is a non-partisan, non-profit (c4) organization working to ensure clean energy solutions are a top priority for our region’s elected leaders. SACE Action Fund engages in public education, legislative action, and electoral accountability here in the Southeast.

Endorsements for candidates by the SACE Action Fund are based primarily on the following endorsement criteria:

  • Does the candidate have a track record supporting clean energy and climate policies?
  • Has the candidate utilized social media or been quoted by the media expressing support for clean energy and climate change policies?
  • Does the candidate’s website provide a statement in support of clean energy or climate change or list clean energy or climate action policies as a priority?
  • How did the candidate answer on any candidate questionnaires?

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund Endorses
Karyn Adams for Knoxville City Council District 1

September 12, 2025
CONTACT: Amy Rawe, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund, amyr@cleanenergyactionfund.org

Knoxville, TN – The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) Action Fund, which works to make clean energy solutions a top priority for our region’s elected leaders, announced today its endorsement of Karyn Adams for Knoxville City Council District 1. 

This endorsement is based on Adams’s stated positions on climate and energy issues, in particular:

  • Her belief that Knoxville city government needs to be a leader on climate & energy issues by ensuring climate and energy are always considered when making decisions and crafting policy
  • Her commitment to broaden the community’s understanding of Knoxville’s greenhouse gas reduction goals and their importance.  
  • Her belief that the City must be more proactive in developing policies that prioritize the successful achievement of its emission and energy goals.

Dr. Stephen A. Smith, Executive Director of the SACE Action Fund, said about Adams, “We are proud to endorse Karyn Adams for the Knoxville City Council, given her proven track record as a problem solver for our community. As Knoxville grows, we need leaders like Karyn who understand that how we produce and consume energy is fundamental to a safe and healthy city. We encourage all Knoxvillians to learn more about Karyn’s position as they make their vote in the November general election.”   

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund wishes Adams well in her campaign and thanks her for making clean energy and climate progress a priority. SACE Action Fund urges Knoxville residents in District 1 to vote early in the November general election for Karyn Adams. Early voting begins October 15 and runs through October 30. Election Day is November 4.

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Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund (SACE Action Fund), the political arm of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), is a non-partisan, non-profit (c4) organization working to ensure clean energy solutions are a top priority for our region’s elected leaders. SACE Action Fund engages in public education, legislative action, and electoral accountability here in the Southeast.

Endorsements for candidates by the SACE Action Fund are based primarily on the following endorsement criteria:

  • Does the candidate have a track record supporting clean energy and climate policies?
  • Has the candidate utilized social media or been quoted by the media expressing support for clean energy and climate change policies?
  • Does the candidate’s website provide a statement in support of clean energy or climate change or list clean energy or climate action policies as a priority?
  • How did the candidate answer on any candidate questionnaires?

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund Endorses
Nathan Honeycutt and Matthew DeBardelaben
for Knoxville City Council 

August 14, 2025
CONTACT: Amy Rawe, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund, amyr@cleanenergyactionfund.org

Knoxville, TN – The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) Action Fund, which works to make clean energy solutions a top priority for our region’s elected leaders, announced today its endorsement of Nathan Honeycutt for Knoxville City Council District 2 and Matthew DeBardelaben for Knoxville City Council District 4. 

This endorsement is based on the candidates’ stated positions on climate and energy issues.

For Nathan Honeycutt:

  • His support for Knoxville’s adopted greenhouse gas reduction goals
  • His commitment to tackling the challenges of climate change, building resilience, and creating a more sustainable city for future generations
  • His pledge to drive down transportation emissions and place clean energy technologies at the forefront of all new development in Knoxville

For Matthew DeBardelaben:

  • His support for Knoxville’s 2021 Energy & Sustainability Workplan
  • His belief that the city can push harder and smarter to reduce transportation emissions, particularly through protected bike lanes and reliable, regular KAT service
  • His support for zoning and land use policy that would regulate how high-energy and high-emission industries operate within city limits

Dr. Stephen A. Smith, Executive Director of the SACE Action Fund, said about Honeycutt and DeBardelaben, “We are proud to endorse two strong candidates for Knoxville City Council, both for their passion for community service and commitment to keep Knoxville on track to be a leader in addressing the dangers of climate disruption. This year’s city election will bring a number of new people into leadership, and the SACE Action Fund is confident that Nathan and Matthew will continue our City’s progress and bring visionary leadership to critical decisions facing Knoxville in the years to come.”

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund wishes Honeycutt and DeBardelaben well in their campaigns and thanks them for making clean energy and climate progress a priority. SACE Action Fund urges Knoxville residents in Districts 2 and 4 to vote early in the August primary election for Nathan Honeycutt and Matthew DeBardelaben. Early voting is open through August 21, and Election Day is August 26. Early voting for the general election begins October 15 and runs through October 30. Election Day is November 4. Find polling locations and hours here. 

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Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund (SACE Action Fund), the political arm of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, is a non-partisan, nonprofit (c4) organization working to make clean energy solutions a top priority for our region’s elected leaders. SACE Action Fund engages in public education, legislative action, and electoral accountability here in the Southeast. Learn more at www.cleanenergyactionfund.org.

Endorsements for candidates by the SACE Action Fund are based primarily on the following endorsement criteria:

  • Does the candidate have a track record supporting clean energy and climate policies?
  • Has the candidate utilized social media or been quoted by the media expressing support for clean energy and climate change policies?
  • Does the candidate’s website provide a statement in support of clean energy or climate change or list clean energy or climate action policies as a priority?