SRES-705-116
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5715-5716; text: CR S5712)
Sponsored by Susan Collins (R-ME)
What it does
This Senate resolution officially designates the week of September 21 through September 25, 2020, as "National Clean Energy Week." It is a symbolic, non-binding proclamation and does not create any new law, regulation, program, or funding. It carries no enforcement mechanism and imposes no requirements on any person, business, or government agency.
Who benefits
Organizations, companies, and advocates working in the clean energy sector may benefit from the increased public visibility and awareness that an official congressional designation can provide. Event organizers who had planned activities around National Clean Energy Week during that period would receive formal congressional recognition of their efforts.
Who is hurt
No specific group faces a direct, material negative effect from this resolution. Because it is purely symbolic and non-binding, it does not impose costs, restrictions, or obligations on any individual, industry, or government entity.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that congressional designations serve a meaningful public awareness function by lending the authority of the U.S. Senate to highlight important topics. Recognizing National Clean Energy Week signals to the public, industry, and the world that Congress values the role of clean energy in the American economy. Such resolutions cost nothing, pass without controversy, and can help catalyze community events, educational programs, and industry engagement around a topic of broad national interest. The unanimous consent passage reflects broad, bipartisan agreement on the value of this recognition.
Opponents argue
Opponents might argue that symbolic resolutions like this one consume limited Senate floor time and legislative resources without producing any tangible policy outcome. Critics could contend that if Congress genuinely prioritizes clean energy, it should pass substantive legislation — such as funding programs, setting standards, or creating incentives — rather than issuing proclamations that have no legal force. From this view, designation resolutions can give the appearance of action while substituting for meaningful legislative work on the underlying issue.