OPINION:
Republicans have long spearheaded environmental stewardship, dating back to President Teddy Roosevelt, one of our nation’s most prominent conservationists. It was under Republican President George W. Bush and a Republican-led Congress that American carbon emissions growth was stopped and reversed, resulting in the United States leading the world in emissions reduction. In fact, U.S. carbon emissions have trended down under each administration since. It was under a Republican Senate and administration that the Energy Act of 2020 passed, the largest advancement of clean energy innovation in over a decade.
We all want to leave our planet better than we found it, and—with support for clean energy development growing in red districts across the United States—Republicans are implementing effective solutions to do so: Cutting energy costs, not energy choices. Furthering innovation, not regulatory hurdles. Exporting American resources, not American jobs. Reducing global emissions, not our economy.
Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) works with Republican lawmakers to advance effective, commonsense climate and clean energy solutions to invigorate the U.S. economy, strengthen our national security, and lower emissions.
As President of CRES, I hear firsthand—from policymakers and communities across the country—when it comes to our energy resources, we should be saying “and,” not “or.” By embracing an all-of-the-above energy portfolio, the United States can become the world’s energy powerhouse, and according to recent CRES Forum polling, 83% of Republicans and Independents nationwide support an approach that includes the development of resources such as nuclear, natural gas, wind, solar, and hydropower.
By increasing responsible domestic energy production and promoting investment in clean energy innovation, the U.S. will strengthen energy security while supporting allies abroad. For example, Russian natural gas exported to Europe results in 41% more lifecycle emissions than American-produced liquified natural gas exported to Europe. Therefore, it’s not surprising that over 80% of conservative and moderate voters believe developing this resource in America is better for the planet.
There is also strong support for other renewable and zero-carbon energy resources. Our polling shows that 86% of voters support hydroelectric dams, 85% support solar power, 79% support wind power, and 58% support nuclear generation. Those numbers only increase among those who have these resources in their backyard, which creates jobs and lowers energy costs for families within their communities.
If that’s not an overwhelming message to Congress, I don’t know what is. Republican and Independent voters are embracing all-of-the-above energy, and we should continue to make it easier to responsibly develop and deploy energy resources.
Earlier this year, House Republicans acted to do just that. They passed H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, with bipartisan support to unlock our energy resources and solidify America’s global energy leadership. By removing regulatory barriers to new energy development and ensuring the United States has a strong domestic supply chain of critical minerals necessary for clean energy technologies, this legislation will accelerate our clean energy future, reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries like China, lower global emissions, and continue to ensure our environment is protected.
The Lower Energy Costs Act will combat the status quo, which includes permitting processes that can add decades to a project’s timeline and ensure bureaucratic red tape doesn’t continue to serve as a roadblock to renewable and other vital energy projects.
This legislation is a big step toward achieving what voters want: U.S. clean energy innovation, further development of low-carbon technologies, energy security, and American leadership on the world stage to reduce global carbon emissions.
As communities across the United States increasingly embrace an all-of-the-above energy portfolio, Congress should follow suit and empower the U.S. energy industry to continue to innovate and deploy technologies that reduce our impact on the environment. CRES will continue to ensure Republicans have a seat at the table because it takes all of us to advance America’s clean energy leadership.
• Heather Reams is the President of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), a right-of center non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that engages policymakers and the public about responsible, conservative solutions to address our nation’s energy, economic, and environmental security while increasing America’s competitive edge. She has led the CRES team since 2016 and oversees the core activities of the organization, ensuring the successful expansion of conservative clean energy policies across the nation. Heather is also the Chair of National Clean Energy Week— described by POLITICO as “a veritable who’s who of the Clean Energy World.”
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