ADVOCACY
ers assembling generators or learns how onsite power prevented outages during severe weather, abstract policy debates become concrete. You can quantify impacts: jobs created, taxes paid, emissions reductions through efficient systems, and enhanced grid reliability. This narrative counters sim- plistic views of your industry and po- sitions you as problem-solvers in the energy transition. Lawmakers are always looking for solutions. EGSA can be that solution, particularly in the contentious data center debate. By offering practical, deployable onsite generation options, you help bridge the gap between surging demand and grid constraints, turning potential conflicts into collabo- rative wins that deliver reliable power without overburdening ratepayers or communities. When Your Voice Goes Dark: Rising Opposition to Data Centers Inaction carries real risks. Across the country, there is growing opposition to new data center construction that crosses traditional partisan lines. Res- idents and local officials in red and blue regions voice legitimate con- cerns about electricity costs, water usage, land impacts, noise, and grid strain. While some opposition is NIM- BY-driven, much reflects genuine wor- ries about how benefits and burdens are distributed. If your industry remains silent, these concerns can translate into harmful policies: moratoriums on data center development, overly restrictive local ordinances, or federal laws that delay projects without practical solutions. The proliferation of local data center bans and the introduction of federal legislation to impose a data center construction moratorium exemplify this risk, proposing to halt new con- struction until unspecified safeguards are in place. Such measures threaten the demand pipeline for onsite gen- eration and could slow America’s AI
competitiveness. Silence also allows competitors or single-issue groups to dominate the conversation. Without your input, poli- cymakers may default to utility-centric or overly prescriptive “green-only” ap- proaches that overlook the dispatch- able, rapid-response strengths of on- site systems. The result? Lost market opportunities, regulatory uncertainty, and policies that fail to harness the full potential of distributed generation. History shows that industries ignoring advocacy pay a price. Sectors that en- gage early and often shape outcomes; those that do not react defensively to unfavorable rules. In today’s polarized yet pragmatically bipartisan energy debate, where concerns about afford- ability, reliability, and innovation cross party lines, proactive lobbying is the best defense and offense. The September fly-in offers a prime opportunity to put these principles into practice. Join colleagues in Wash- ington to meet with lawmakers and staff. Share your company’s success stories, discuss the value of onsite generation for data centers, and advo- cate for smart policies like cost-alloca- tion standards that encourage private generation investment. Let’s return to the old axiom: It’s hard to see eye-to- eye if you never meet face-to-face. Whether you are a first-time advocate or seasoned veteran, your perspec- tive matters. By traveling to DC for an in-person meeting with your elected officials, you are demonstrating your commitment to your industry and ensuring your voice is heard before votes are cast. By sharing facility photos and job data from your busi- ness in their district or state, you are providing that Member of Congress with a perspective that isn’t from a stranger or a DC special interest. With your own authentic voice, you can tell lawmakers that these data centers ar- A Call to Action: Get Plugged In
en’t powered by distant tech titans or shadowy Silicon Valley giants, but that they are fueled by real people (vot- ers!) who live and work right in their own communities. That message has real power. Lobbying is fundamentally American, rooted in the First Amendment’s peti- tion clause and the idea that informed citizens should influence governance. For EGSA, it is how you secure a bright future for onsite power in a data-driven economy. By building re- lationships, offering expertise, and showcasing your community value, you not only protect your industry but also advance national goals of reli- able, affordable, and resilient energy. Policymakers want to make good de- cisions. Your job is to ensure they have the right information to do so. Let’s commit to showing up, because when you meet face-to-face, you build understanding, trust, and poli- cies that work for everyone. Lawmak- ers of all stripes can see eye-to-eye with that. l About the Author Frank McCarthy is the founder and president of McCarthy Advanced Consulting (MAC), a bipartisan government affairs firm providing strategic advocacy and public policy expertise. With more than 20 years of experience in Congress, federal advocacy, and strategic communications, he has helped clients achieve policy successes across the transportation, energy, telecommunications, labor, and healthcare sectors. Frank has been recognized by The Hill as a Top Lobbyist every year since 2019, while MAC has been named a Bloomberg Government Top Lobbying Firm since 2021. Before founding MAC, he served two House Transportation Committee chairmen, led a boutique lobbying firm, and worked as an in- house lobbyist for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).
POWERLINE Summer 2026 | 27
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker