‍Reflections from ACT's Crisis Communications Webinar

May 20th, ACT hosted a timely and energizing webinar: Crisis Communications in the New Trump Era. With federal support for clean energy under attack, misinformation rising, and climate progress increasingly politicized, the session focused on how clean economy leaders can stay clear-headed, focused, and prepared in an era of mounting risk.

Opening the session, ACT President Joe Curtatone set the tone with a powerful message:

“If you don’t lead the message, you’ll be led by it. And in today’s environment, the cost of silence or delay can be steep.”

Drawing on his experience as a former mayor of Somerville, Joe emphasized the central role of communication in getting big things done — especially in times of uncertainty. He noted the growing threats to the Inflation Reduction Act, the saturation of the media environment, and the importance of sharpening messages to break through.

‍🔹 Risk Mitigation in a Volatile Landscape

The first part of the discussion explored how to get ahead of reputational and regulatory risk.

Kevin Conroy, a partner at Foley Hoag and co-chair of the firm’s State Attorneys General practice, explained how quickly state-level scrutiny can escalate:

“We’re seeing more AGs step into energy and climate issues. Being legally right isn’t enough — you have to be reputationally ready, too.”

He emphasized the importance of alignment between legal and communications teams before a crisis hits — noting that mixed messages can invite more scrutiny, not less.

Joe Dalton, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs at ENGIE North America, added a business perspective:

“Our projects don’t exist in a vacuum. Whether it’s a local permitting fight or a national policy reversal, we have to be nimble — and that starts with internal readiness.”

🔹 Reframing the Message for Today’s Audience

The second theme focused on message development: How do we talk about clean energy in a way that connects?

Justine Griffin, Principal at Rasky Partners and a leading voice in crisis PR, stressed the need to meet people where they are:

“Too often, companies talk like technocrats. But people don’t wake up worrying about megawatts — they care about bills, jobs, and fairness. We have to translate policy into real human stories.”

Dalton echoed this, sharing how ENGIE has refined its messaging to emphasize energy affordability and local economic development:

“Clean energy has to feel like a solution to the problems families already face. If we’re not speaking to that, we’re not being heard.”

‍🔹 Managing Misinformation and Media Overload

The final segment addressed perhaps the hardest challenge of all: how to communicate when the media landscape is flooded with chaos.

Griffin was direct:

“Earned media is harder than ever. But that doesn’t mean we stay quiet — it means we have to be strategic. Use your own channels. Activate trusted validators. And when misinformation hits, be first and be firm.”

Conroy warned that misinformation isn’t just a PR risk — it can spark legal and political backlash:

“We’ve seen cases where false narratives led to investigations or delayed approvals. You have to monitor your ecosystem and be ready to counter.”

‍🔹 Moving Forward — Together

Joe Curtatone wrapped with a reminder of ACT’s role in the broader fight:

We are not just dealing with policy headwinds — we are facing a coordinated assault on public opinion. In his words, “the landscape is not only changing fast, but growing more unpredictable, creating real risk for businesses and projects.”

And while this environment poses threats, ACT is committed to being a trusted guide. Joe emphasized ACT’s core role as a convener and strategic ally, helping the climate economy communicate clearly, confidently, and credibly in a time of confusion and misinformation.

As a former mayor, Joe knows that when the pressure is on, communication can’t be an afterthought — it must be a core part of your strategy. Whether you're launching a clean energy project or responding to an attack on climate science, how you show up in public matters as much as what you build.

‍What’s Next?

If you missed the session, you can view the recording here. Want to get more involved join ACTivate — our misinformation tracking and strategic messaging initiative or reach out at communications@joinact.org to learn how we can support you efforts.

Because in this new era, good communication isn’t just a skill — it’s a strategy.