For Electricity, All of the Above Should Really Mean All of the Above
As global and domestic electricity demand continues to rise, how we meet that demand is becoming an important policy and commercial issue for governments and businesses to tackle. While policymakers – especially here in the U.S. – often call for an ‘all of the above’ approach to electricity generation, they often play favorites, making it more difficult to bring new sources online or transport existing sources to where it’s needed.
Supporting an all of the above approach – like fossil fuel production, pipeline infrastructure or electricity derived from renewables – shouldn’t be considered controversial. Yet, it seems nothing is non-controversial anymore. Both parties have used hyperbole to attack energy resources they view as unfavorable – often undermining our national and energy security interests.
Upon entering office, President Biden unleashed an unprecedented crusade against traditional energy, which Republicans argued harmed our energy independence. His administration canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline, closed the exploration or extraction of oil and gas on federal lands, placed a new tax on natural gas, and are slowing the approvals of export terminals. These directives, along with others, have clouded the certainty some companies need to operate, thereby making energy more expensive over the long-term.
But it’s not just Democrats who are giving short shrift to domestic energy sources, now some Republicans have found it politically advantageous to attack offshore wind development in the U.S. Electricity generated from offshore wind offers significant potential to provide communities with renewable energy. With more than a dozen projects in development off the Atlantic coast, we could generate enough reliable, affordable, and infinite clean power for millions of American homes.
But instead of embracing this resource, some Republicans are repeating debunked claims about threats to marine life, specifically that the industry is somehow responsible for the Unusual Mortality Event impacting whale populations.
Two members from New Jersey, Representatives Van Drew and Smith, have taken a page from the anti-energy playbook by attacking offshore wind. Both Congressmen have called for the offshore wind industry to be immediately paused, Washington-speak for “shut it down.” Like most other energy projects, delays can be a death knell for wind energy projects.
In no small bit of irony, Congressman Van Drew has whacked President Biden’s actions against fossil fuels, arguing that he is “destroying our own energy independence.” The Congressman wants President Biden to support energy production, but is simultaneously demanding buildout out of offshore wind be scuttled.
Whether a business is investing billions of dollars in a pipeline, energy export terminals, or even an offshore wind farm, lawmakers need to support American energy. Yes it comes in different forms, but they are all important pieces of the puzzle as we look to once again become energy independent. When it comes to energy policy – all of the above should really mean all of the above.
Craig Stevens, former senior advisor to U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman, is the spokesman for Grow America’s Infrastructure Now (GAIN).
This article was originally published by RealClearEnergy and made available via RealClearWire.
