It did not take days or weeks, but just hours for a red wave to sweep across the country. Americans sent a clear message on election night that they want to see more conservative policies at all levels of government. Put bluntly, voters want America to be a powerhouse again.
American power relies on energy security. When it comes to meeting America’s growing energy demands, red states will be critical in driving an American energy future that is secure, reliable, affordable, and clean.
President-elect Donald Trump recognizes that America urgently needs greater access to energy. During his speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention, he stated, “We have to produce massive amounts of energy … AI needs tremendous, literally twice the amount of electricity that’s available now in our country.”
Trump is correct — drivers of economic development, such as AI, data centers and manufacturing facilities, are driving significant load growth in the United States. If America is to remain a global power, we must address this challenge by modernizing our nation’s power grid and reshoring the energy supply chain. This is achieved by simultaneously increasing energy generation while streamlining permitting processes so that critical energy infrastructure can be built.
It is an encouraging sign that leaders in conservative states are already working to increase generation to establish American energy dominance. Red states such as Texas and Iowa are among the top states in renewable energy generation. State and local policymakers in red and purple states have long recognized the economic importance of maintaining a diverse energy portfolio that includes clean energy sources. Rural communities in Texas, Iowa, and elsewhere have consistently benefited from the development of energy sources like wind and solar. This new generation must be paired with new investments in our power grid so that newly generated electricity can flow where it is most needed.
America cannot be truly energy independent until we control a larger share of the energy supply chain. Manufacturing facilities that are critical to supply chain domestication have made clear that they like to do business in conservative-led states. For example, Elon Musk made news in 2021 when he moved Tesla’s headquarters from California to Texas. Likewise, Georgia, which returned to its trend of supporting conservatives this cycle, has been a trailblazer in supporting clean technology manufacturing under the leadership of Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA). These facilities, and other economic drivers like data centers, demand a tremendous amount of energy, which can only be effectively delivered through a modernized power grid.
This election cycle also sent conservatives who expressed support for clean energy initiatives to governor mansions. Gov.-elects Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Mike Braun (R-IN) have a history of being open to clean energy policies that produce jobs, grow the economy, and reduce emissions. They will join the likes of Govs. Brian Kemp (R-GA), Kim Reynolds (R-IA), Mike Dunleavy (R-AK), and others in recognizing the critical role that clean energy plays in a state’s energy portfolio.
New and expanded Republican majorities at both the state and federal levels should seek to restore U.S. energy leadership by championing secure, reliable, affordable, and clean American energy. Policies focused on advancing free market competition, strengthening consumer choice, and leading an expansion of clean energy resources will enable everyday Americans to save money on their electric bills. It is also important to recognize that energy security is national security. By securing the power grid and investing in critical transmission infrastructure, we can unleash a new era of American energy leadership.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
We must relentlessly pursue energy independence and build an American clean energy supply chain that is made for the 21st Century. Investments in clean energy innovation can create millions of jobs, increase revenue for local communities, and grow the American economy in red and blue states alike. These are all policies that voters clearly communicated a preference for at the ballot box this year. As Trump noted in his acceptance speech, it is now up to conservatives to keep those campaign promises. If we do, America will once again be an energy powerhouse.
John Szoka is CEO of the Conservative Energy Network. He previously served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives.
This article was originally published at www.washingtonexaminer.com
