The Conservative Case for Sustainable Energy in America

Conservatives in the United States have long championed policies that strengthen national security, encourage economic growth, and uphold responsible stewardship of our natural resources. Today, sustainable energy aligns with these core values by reducing costs, enhancing reliability, and increasing resilience in our energy infrastructure. As the country faces new challenges—rising demand, fuel volatility, and the need to modernize aging infrastructure—sustainable energy, including renewable power and clean baseload generation, is not only viable but essential.

Economic Competitiveness and Cost Reduction

One of the most compelling conservative arguments for sustainable energy is economic. Over the last decade, the cost of renewable technologies, especially wind and solar, has dropped dramatically. Solar energy costs have plummeted by more than 80% since 2010, and onshore wind has seen a 70% cost reduction. This shift makes renewable energy highly competitive with fossil fuels, even in states historically reliant on coal or natural gas.

Further, the growth of these industries creates jobs, often in rural and economically challenged areas. Wind farms, for instance, bring revenue to rural landowners while supporting local economies. Investing in sustainable energy thus aligns with conservative values by enhancing self-reliance, strengthening local economies, and reducing dependence on costly and volatile foreign energy sources.

Reliability and Energy Independence

Energy reliability has been a critical talking point, especially as the U.S. witnesses increased frequency of extreme weather events that strain the grid. A conservative approach to sustainable energy focuses on building a diverse energy portfolio that combines intermittent renewable sources with clean, reliable baseload generation, such as nuclear and natural gas with carbon capture. Nuclear energy, in particular, provides carbon-free, high-capacity power that operates 24/7, regardless of weather, making it a solid partner to renewables in maintaining grid reliability.

Diversifying America’s energy sources also strengthens national security by reducing reliance on imported fuels. While the U.S. has made strides in energy independence, oil price shocks and gas shortages remind us that a balanced energy portfolio minimizes vulnerability to geopolitical instability. Clean energy options, especially those sourced domestically, reduce the risks associated with volatile global markets, positioning America as a more secure, energy-independent nation.

Fuel Diversity and Market Stability

A strong conservative approach to sustainable energy advocates for a well-balanced mix of energy sources. Fuel diversity is crucial for a robust economy; relying too heavily on a single energy source leaves the market vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply disruptions. By expanding the share of renewables in the energy mix alongside traditional sources, the U.S. gains flexibility in responding to market changes.

Natural gas, for example, remains a cost-effective and reliable energy source but benefits greatly from being part of a diversified energy mix that includes solar, wind, hydroelectric, and nuclear power. This diversity cushions the economy against price spikes in any single sector and contributes to stable, predictable energy costs—a critical factor for industries that underpin U.S. economic growth.

Distributed Generation and Grid Resilience

The aging U.S. energy grid is struggling to keep pace with demand and is increasingly vulnerable to disruptions. Distributed generation offers a conservative solution to this problem. By decentralizing energy production, we enhance grid resilience, reduce transmission losses, and mitigate the risk of widespread outages.

Distributed energy resources, such as rooftop solar, small wind turbines, and community-scale battery storage, allow consumers to produce energy closer to where it’s consumed, alleviating stress on transmission systems. When paired with smart grid technology, distributed generation strengthens the grid’s resilience and enables faster recovery from disruptions, reducing costs associated with outages and improving overall system stability. Distributed energy resources are also essential in addressing peak load demands and provide a practical, scalable solution for addressing America’s future energy needs.

Policy as a Tool, Not an Obstacle

Finally, from a policy perspective, conservatives should consider that free-market principles and competition can drive sustainable energy adoption. Rather than mandates or subsidies, policies that remove regulatory barriers to clean energy projects, incentivize private-sector innovation, and streamline permitting can spur market-driven advancements. States with conservative leadership, like Texas and Oklahoma, have become leaders in wind energy by harnessing private investment and market forces, proving that sustainable energy growth need not come at the expense of regulatory overreach.

A Conservative Energy Future

Conservative support for sustainable energy need not contradict traditional values but rather aligns with them. Embracing a future that includes both renewable and clean baseload options promotes economic stability, enhances national security, and fosters resilience in a rapidly changing world. By leading on this issue, conservatives can offer a pragmatic, market-driven path to a more stable and secure energy future, ensuring that American households and businesses are well-served by an energy grid that is reliable, diverse, and independent.

In an era where energy policy has significant implications for the economy, national security, and the environment, a conservative case for sustainable energy isn’t just sensible—it’s essential. By advocating for a balanced and resilient energy portfolio, conservatives can guide America toward a prosperous, energy-secure future without compromising on the values of self-reliance, fiscal responsibility, and prudent resource management.

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Drew Biemer is a state-level agency director with oversight of energy facility siting, permitting and enforcement of compliance. He is a frequent panelist and moderator at energy conferences in The US and Africa. Topics of expertise include: regulatory reform, stakeholder-engagement, resilience and energy security.