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Commentary: Conservatives need to ‘hit the reset button’ on energy policy
Commentary: Conservatives need to ‘hit the reset button’ on energy policy
WRITTEN BY
Mike Hartley
12/01/2015
Mike Hartley is the executive director of the Ohio Conservative Energy Forum.
...When it comes to energy policy, however, conservatives have been reluctant to embrace policies that promote this stewardship. In Ohio, we have allowed political rancor to polarize the issue. The result has been a freeze of the state’s clean energy standards in 2014 – standards that were established in 2008 with overwhelming bipartisan support.
It’s time that we, as conservatives, press the reset button on our attitude toward energy policy. All around us, breakthroughs in science and technology are changing the face of industry. Why then, when it comes to energy, have some conservative policymakers been so staunchly opposed to innovation? We know that new technology is giving way to energy innovation, entrepreneurship, and jobs – we’ve seen it happen right here in Ohio. Despite economic advances in the energy industry, however, some Republican leaders seem reluctant to accept this.
Current policies limit us to outdated energy sources and make us overly-reliant on foreign energy sources from the most volatile regions of the world. What would happen if we move toward an energy policy that relies less on foreign sources and more on resources right here in the U.S.? We increase our position of strength on the world stage. We increase the safety, security, and strength of our military. We help the economy by requiring fewer military resources to secure foreign energy sources. We improve our economy. These are outcomes that any conservative can get behind.
The truth is, however, it makes no difference on which side of the aisle you stand. Energy reform is necessary. There are solutions to our antiquated model of energy production – solutions that conservatives can and should embrace.
There can and should be conservative support for an innovative, competitive energy policy – one that embraces a true all-of-the-above approach. Enacting policies that foster the creation of a diverse energy portfolio will continue to make Ohio an attractive place to do business. Yes, Ohio is a coal state. And we have a healthy economy surrounding shale oil and gas development. We can and should continue to embrace these traditional sources. But in true conservative fashion, we should be encouraging innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit through new energy technologies.
These technologies have already helped to reignite Ohio’s growing economy by reinvigorating the manufacturing sector, providing jobs for veterans, attracting new business to the state, and ultimately saving ratepayers money...
http://midwestenergynews.com/2015/12/01/commentary-conservatives-need-to-hit-the-reset-button-on-energy-policy/
WRITTEN BY
Mike Hartley
12/01/2015
Mike Hartley is the executive director of the Ohio Conservative Energy Forum.
...When it comes to energy policy, however, conservatives have been reluctant to embrace policies that promote this stewardship. In Ohio, we have allowed political rancor to polarize the issue. The result has been a freeze of the state’s clean energy standards in 2014 – standards that were established in 2008 with overwhelming bipartisan support.
It’s time that we, as conservatives, press the reset button on our attitude toward energy policy. All around us, breakthroughs in science and technology are changing the face of industry. Why then, when it comes to energy, have some conservative policymakers been so staunchly opposed to innovation? We know that new technology is giving way to energy innovation, entrepreneurship, and jobs – we’ve seen it happen right here in Ohio. Despite economic advances in the energy industry, however, some Republican leaders seem reluctant to accept this.
Current policies limit us to outdated energy sources and make us overly-reliant on foreign energy sources from the most volatile regions of the world. What would happen if we move toward an energy policy that relies less on foreign sources and more on resources right here in the U.S.? We increase our position of strength on the world stage. We increase the safety, security, and strength of our military. We help the economy by requiring fewer military resources to secure foreign energy sources. We improve our economy. These are outcomes that any conservative can get behind.
The truth is, however, it makes no difference on which side of the aisle you stand. Energy reform is necessary. There are solutions to our antiquated model of energy production – solutions that conservatives can and should embrace.
There can and should be conservative support for an innovative, competitive energy policy – one that embraces a true all-of-the-above approach. Enacting policies that foster the creation of a diverse energy portfolio will continue to make Ohio an attractive place to do business. Yes, Ohio is a coal state. And we have a healthy economy surrounding shale oil and gas development. We can and should continue to embrace these traditional sources. But in true conservative fashion, we should be encouraging innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit through new energy technologies.
These technologies have already helped to reignite Ohio’s growing economy by reinvigorating the manufacturing sector, providing jobs for veterans, attracting new business to the state, and ultimately saving ratepayers money...
I suppose baby steps are better than no steps.