A New Frontier for American Energy
The last several years of energy policies have been detrimental for American energy independence and security. From revoked oil, gas, and mining leases to a destabilized energy market that forced reliance on foreign adversaries, we have been placed in a vulnerable position, but I am optimistic that a revitalization of American energy is just around the corner.
With the rising demand for new and improved energy, the key is embracing the all-of-the-above energy approach my colleagues in Congress and I have long supported. Central Washington is a shining example of this idea. From traditional energy sources like natural gas to innovative clean energy such as nuclear and hydropower, our region has embraced a diversified energy portfolio. I believe it is in the best interests of the nation to follow suit.
In Central Washington, hydropower is a crucial component of our all-of-the-above energy approach, and we are fortunate to have the Lower Snake River Dams powering our region. The dams provide affordable power for millions in the Pacific Northwest, but the previous administration coupled with environmental activists threatened their continued operations. I am looking forward to working with the incoming administration to end these assaults on Central Washington's energy production. By leveraging diverse energy resources, we can ensure a stable, reliable, and affordable energy supply that meets the needs of American families and businesses, and the Lower Snake River Dams are a great example of how we can achieve that.
Our nation produces energy cleaner, cheaper, and safer than anywhere else in the world, but the current administration has relied on foreign adversaries, like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Russia for the resources needed for American clean energy advancements, which set a dangerous precedent. This reliance jeopardizes our energy security and leaves us vulnerable to supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical tensions and will not allow us to meet our clean energy goals.
The federal government must prioritize decoupling our energy generation needs from our adversaries, and to do this, we need to focus on technological innovation. In Central Washington, we are fortunate to have so many ongoing projects which will help us meet this goal. From the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project in Richland to Sila Nanotechnologies’ advanced battery storage manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, our region is at the forefront of innovation. By diversifying our energy generation sources, we can harness the full power of our domestic resources and position ourselves once again as a leader in the global energy market.
In the coming years, we have an opportunity to enact policies that incentivize domestic energy development rather than penalizing it. Now is the time to build an energy landscape that is robust, reliable, and affordable, and as your representative, I am committed to fighting for the common-sense energy policies Americans deserve.