We agree with a recent column by Andy Tubbs, president and CEO of the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, which was published in the weekend edition of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.
“‘All of the Above’ is a familiar phrase in energy debates,” Tubbs wrote. “It means we must be open to using all energy sources to respond to increasing energy demand, collaboratively engage with stakeholders, and seek all ideas to drive innovation and maintain affordability…. For Pennsylvania, ‘All of the Above’ must be more than a slogan. It has to be a commitment to every resource, stakeholder and idea that can secure the commonwealth’s long-term energy security.”
We agree that the stability and affordability that Pennsylvania’s families and employers rely upon requires that the state use a variety of sources of energy — including natural gas and oil.
We have noted in past editorials that natural gas also creates jobs in our region — which we again emphasize is an important part of our economic puzzle.
We continue to support development of renewable resources, including wind, solar and hydroelectric — but we believe Pennsylvanians need to be level-headed about the limitations and trade-offs of renewable energy today.
It cannot meet the needs of our state or nation. It cannot deliver the consistency and reliability our economies need at the present time — certainly not solar or wind.
Until new technologies make these source of energy more realistically dependable, we need to support the development of all of Pennsylvania’s and the nation’s resources — including natural gas and oil.