The Reuters article in the June 29 Repository said the current administration “is readying a package of executive actions aimed at boosting energy supply to power the U.S. expansion of artificial intelligence.”
While it is admirable that the powers that be are aware that our electrical grid will not handle the huge demand for new power that retail and AI data centers and tech manufacturing facilities will need as they come on line, it seems that these folks are also working to eliminate some at least partial solutions that are currently in place.
The new federal budget bill will eliminate the subsidies that have been in place to support and encourage alternative energy sources, especially solar. In addition to fast-tracking traditional power plants that will continue to worsen our climate situation, we should more fully support an effort to use as much “free” and climate-friendly energy as possible.
There are already many publicly owned solar and wind projects across our nation. Instead of cutting funding for these initiatives, let’s increase our investment. Those who oppose solar subsidies say that the funds are used to buy Chinese solar panels. OK, provide better subsidies for U.S.-made panels. The Chinese solar industry is the world leader because of government subsidies; we will not be able to compete without continuing to support ours.
And we must consider “decentralizing” our electrical grid; if we need more power, let’s build smaller, local systems, powered by locally sourced solar, wind, hydrogen or even small nuclear plants. Any expansion is expensive, but why not improve the reliability and security of our electrical grid, rather than expanding the shaky and vulnerable system we have?
Urge your U.S. legislators: Keep the solar subsidies now on the books and fund the development of local power generation and distribution.
Rick Taylor, North Canton
This article originally appeared on The Repository: U.S. needs better solutions for more reliable, secure energy supply | Letter
Reporting by Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
