This post is part of a series of blogs examining where 2024 Southeastern candidates for state and federal offices stand on key energy and climate issues.

Note: The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. Links to reports, candidate websites and outside sources are provided as citizen education tools.

In this blog post, we examine the policies and positions of Megan Barry, the Democratic Party candidate running for election to represent Tennessee Congressional District 7 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Also in this series, we profile Republican candidate Mark Green. Election Day is November 5, 2024.

Megan Barry grew up in Kansas and later moved to Tennessee to pursue an MBA at Vanderbilt University. From 2015 to 2018, Barry was Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Prior to her mayoral campaign, she served two terms as an at-large member of Nashville Metro Council. 

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

On her campaign website Barry states “I support an all-of-the-above approach to energy production utilizing a mix of responsible traditional energy sources and an increasing share of renewable technologies.” 

Climate Change

Megan Barry reiterated her goal to tackle climate change in Congress on social media site X (formerly Twitter) where she posted, “I’m committed to protecting our planet for future generations. In Congress, I’ll work to combat climate change, preserve our natural resources, and create a sustainable Tennessee for everyone.”

Electric Transportation

She presents her stance on other energy and environment issues of her website by sharing, “Tennessee workers are poised to play a meaningful role in producing climate-friendly electric vehicles and advanced battery technology for years to come. In Congress, I will support investments in American manufacturing to create clean energy jobs and keep them here, leveraging our state’s existing industries while maintaining environmental sustainability.”

Energy Equity and Energy Burden

In 2016, during her time as Mayor, Megan Barry formed the Livable Nashville Committee which released a plan  to make Nashville the “Greenest city in the Southeast.” The committee’s recommendations included energy efficiency improvements to reduce energy costs.

High-Risk Energy 

Barry supported a Nashville neighborhood’s fight to prevent the construction of a fossil gas compressor station in their community by writing a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) asking them to deny a certificate needed by gas pipeline operator Columbia Pipeline Group. 

Voting Information 

Election Day is November 5th. Here are important dates and deadlines to consider, from the Tennessee Secretary of State:

• Aug. 7, 2024: First day to make an absentee ballot request
• Oct. 7, 2024: Voter registration deadline 
• Oct. 16, 2024: In-person early voting begins
• Oct. 29, 2024: Absentee ballot request deadline
• Oct. 31, 2024: In-person early voting ends 
• Nov. 5, 2024: General Election Day 
• Nov. 5, 2024: Absentee ballot return deadline 

For more information about being a Tennessee voter, including registering, finding your polling place, and requesting an absentee ballot, visit proudvoter.org.

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Candidate Megan Barry on Climate & Energy