In a recent opinion article published in the Deseret News, Sen. Mike Lee outlined his vision for America’s energy future, calling for a return to a balanced energy strategy. As the founder and CEO of Utah Clean Energy, a local nonprofit that has worked for 25 years to help make Utah’s energy system cleaner, modernized and resilient, I was struck by how much Sen. Lee and I agree on. We want the same thing: reliable, affordable energy. But we have a better way of getting there.
Our goals are the same: “Cut red tape, unleash private investment in domestic energy production and keep electric bills affordable for working families.” Senator Lee, I am right there with you. We should talk. There is a pathway to progress that we can both support.
We don’t agree about everything. Congress’s vote to phase out clean energy tax credits was a costly backward step that undermines America’s clean energy progress when we could be meeting rising electricity demand and leading the globe in a new energy era. Still, we can agree to disagree on this because, with or without tax credits, renewable energy remains the most cost-effective way to build new electricity supplies.
Sen. Lee also calls for credible alternatives to coal and natural gas that don’t put our energy grid in jeopardy. Fortunately, Utah is blessed with plentiful resources that meet this standard. Geothermal energy offers round-the-clock power. Wind and solar combined with battery storage offer reliable, zero-fuel-cost energy. And best of all? Utah’s geothermal, solar, wind and battery potential are the envy of the West. All we must do is harness them.
Investing in renewable energy is a direct path to ensuring the U.S. has reliable, affordable and abundant energy. These resources are faster and far more affordable to build than any other new energy resource. Which gets me to another point where we see eye to eye: China is investing aggressively in new energy infrastructure, and America cannot afford to fall behind.
Last year alone, China installed more wind and solar power than in the rest of the world combined. China is dominating the electric vehicle and battery manufacturing sector. This clean energy boom is setting up the countries pursuing it for greater prosperity. Yet, instead of doubling down on this opportunity, here in the U.S., we’re watching one of our most powerful tools for energy independence, economic growth and energy leadership get pushed to the sidelines.
Utah can do better than this. This has always been a state of pioneers. We don’t follow trends — we forge them. This was evident when local voices from across the political spectrum, including business leaders and elected officials, broke through political divides, calling for the protection of clean energy tax credits. These leaders reflect what many Utahns already know: Clean energy shouldn’t be about politics or partisanship; it is about powering a future full of possibilities, innovation and economic opportunities.
The simple fact is that Utah can lead the new energy economy, or we will watch as others reap the benefits. Renewable energy, energy-efficient homes and electric vehicles aren’t just good for the climate; they are the key to unlocking unprecedented new opportunities. Imagine a future where our grid is powered by homegrown, reliable and resilient fuel-free energy with locked-in low costs not subject to volatile fuel prices. A Utah with homes that are so efficient, we don’t have to worry about rising energy costs, while enjoying comfortable, affordable homes that emit very little or even zero emissions. A Utah where we cut out tailpipe emissions and leverage local electricity to fuel our cars.
This isn’t a fantasy; it is a choice. And it is ours to make.
As global energy markets charge ahead toward an innovative energy future, Utah has a choice: will we continue our proud legacy as an energy leader by embracing the opportunities of a new energy era, or risk being left behind? Sen. Lee, I invite you to visit the Climate Innovation Center to talk with me and other energy experts at Utah Clean Energy. We have so much to discuss, so many opportunities to unleash and an exciting pathway to build a thriving, reliable and resilient energy future for Utah.