Along with many of you, I have a deep respect for our former President Jimmy Carter as a human being, statesman, humanitarian and a devoted environmentalist. Indeed, an important part of his presidential legacy is his awareness of the vulnerability of our planet to human activities and climate change, and his many substantive actions to protect our environment.

Lisa Campbell serves as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives representing District 35, which contains the cities of Kennesaw and Acworth.

President Carter was a first of his kind environmental advocate who encouraged decreased reliance on fossil fuels, less energy consumption at the individual level and a decreased American dependence on foreign oil. He created the U.S. Department of Energy and more than doubled the land protected by the National Park Service. In addition, President Carter believed we should get 20 percent of our power from solar energy and other renewables by the year 2000. In true Jimmy Carter style of practicing what he preached, President Carter even installed 32 solar panels on the roof of the White House to heat water in 1979!

Today, Georgia is leading the way in clean or renewable energy innovation. But, as we transition to a new presidential administration, we have a choice: to continue to pursue affordable, clean energy that President Carter championed or to cede the competitive lead to China by repealing or phasing out parts of the clean energy plan of 2022. 

As explained by Amy Myers Jaffe, director of the Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab at New York University, in an interview with NPR, the clean energy plan is helping advance Carter’s goal of putting “the United States back to where it needs to be and dominating supply chains for things like solar panels, manufacturing and electric cars.”  

Investing in clean energy is about creating more family-sustaining jobs in the construction industry and in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, batteries and solar panels.  

According to a recent report from Climate Power, Georgia leads the nation in the number of clean energy jobs created and the number of new, large-scale clean energy projects initiated since the passage of the clean energy plan of 2022. Since the passage of the plan, private companies in Georgia have announced 50 new clean energy projects, 43,266 new clean energy jobs and investments totaling $31.24 billion. These investments reduce our dependence on foreign supply chains and enhance U.S. competitiveness. This is incredibly great news for Georgia and should fuel our continued investments in clean energy and our communities.  

The clean energy plan of 2022 is not only helping Georgia lead the way in clean energy projects and jobs, but the plan is also helping hardworking Georgians save money on burdensome energy bills. In 2023, more than 82,000 Georgians saved more than $148 million with the help of clean energy tax credits under the clean energy plan. Experts believe these savings will continue to grow if the clean energy tax credits remain in place. 

In addition to creating good paying jobs, switching to cleaner energy sources like solar is good for the environment. In 2023, almost a quarter-century after President Carter set a goal of achieving 20 percent of our energy from renewable sources, the United States has finally achieved President Carter’s goal. Continuing to switch to a renewable source of energy like solar reduces our reliance on carbon emitting fossil fuels and solar panels don’t emit air pollutants that contribute to respiratory health issues.

The clean energy plan of 2022 is the responsible way forward, both good for people and our shared environment. Preserving America’s competitive edge in clean energy is essential for ensuring an economically prosperous future. Repealing the plan is dangerous for families, workers, the environment and our economy.

I encourage all Georgians to join me in honoring President Carter’s legacy of protecting our shared natural resources and call on Congress to leave the clean energy plan of 2022 intact.  

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