Here’s a fact that might surprise some people: In the United States, the majority of clean energy comes from red states.
Political stereotypes would have us believe that blue states are responsible for the most renewable energy. But the Red States – led by leaders who believe in capitalism and the free market – understand that investing in solar, wind and battery storage is just as smart as supporting oil and natural gas.
As a former governor, I learned that when it comes to energy, government needs to take a step back. Politicians can generate hot air, but the market is the best at generating energy. We need to ensure that consumers have access to reliable energy choices – whether that’s gasoline, natural gas or renewable sources like solar energy.
Instead of the government picking winners and losers, elected leaders should ensure that consumers have access to the energy choices they prefer, whatever they may be.
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Sheep graze near solar panels in Haskell, Texas, December 2, 2024. (REUTERS/Annie Rice)
For example, some Americans prefer to fill their cars with gasoline and rely on natural gas for heating. Others may choose to plug in their electric car at night and install solar panels on their roof to increase their home’s energy consumption.
Americans want choices and embrace a mix of energy sources to meet their needs. The Biden administration’s approach, which promoted government intervention, threatened the very innovations that lead to affordable energy solutions. Under the Trump administration, we championed the idea that competition drives innovation while keeping prices low.
The Biden administration saw big government as the answer to everything, subsidizing energy alternatives and attempting to phase out some of our most effective and affordable energy options.
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The Trump administration, on the other hand, understands that capitalism and the free market operate on a very basic but effective idea: competition enables innovation and keeps prices low.
As a former governor of Arizona, I know from experience that individual states know their terrain better than federal decision makers or bureaucrats ever will. Certain ideological members of Congress or DC supervisors may assume that they know best, but that is often not the case. Sometimes the cheapest and most efficient energy source for a given state or locality is not the one anyone would expect – not even the people on the ground.
Arizona has become a leader in affordable solar energy, taking advantage of our abundant sunshine. One report indicates that “red states are leading the way in solar,” with nearly three-quarters of new installations occurring in states that supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
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Are renewable energy sources the optimal choice for every part of the country? No, but they are becoming more cost-effective and efficient options for many parts of it, like my home state of Arizona, which gets very affordable solar power due to the amount of sun it receives each week.
The federal government should encourage states to explore, innovate and optimize their own energy policies; it should not get in the way.
The Trump administration, on the other hand, understands that capitalism and the free market operate on a very basic but effective idea: competition enables innovation and keeps prices low.
That doesn’t mean DC should sit back and do nothing when it comes to energy policy. It must always work to ensure the country’s energy security. That is exactly what it is doing under President Donald Trump.
For example, in March, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce passed two major bills aimed at protecting our energy security. One of these, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, structures the leadership of the Department of Energy to ensure it can respond to disruptions in energy supplies. The other, the Energy Threat Analysis Center Reauthorization Act, strengthens the Energy Department’s ability to address cybersecurity threats.
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This is exactly what the government should be doing: ensuring America’s energy security. But threats come in different forms, including in the field of global competition. And this is where it is so important that the federal government allows the states to take a comprehensive approach to energy supply and allows them to make their own energy decisions at the local level.
Currently, China is moving full speed ahead with the development of alternative energy sources. Although the country is not abandoning traditional energy, the country is undergoing “one of the most ambitious energy transitions in history,” according to a report from the World Economic Forum. “Guided by its goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, the country is rapidly transforming its energy system to accommodate a new generation of clean energy.”
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China is aggressively advancing its clean energy capabilities and aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060. We cannot afford to cede our technological lead to our greatest economic rival.
It’s time for Democrats and Republicans to stop using energy as a political weapon. We need an all-of-the-above approach that empowers consumers and ensures reliable, affordable energy aligns with free market principles. Let’s work together to secure a prosperous energy future for all Americans.
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