“Creating Together the People’s Energy Plan” was the sub-theme of my book entitled, America Needs America’s Energy. A dependable energy plan is necessary for all of us. Our nation, states, cities, corporations and consumers are all faced with the challenge of “striving for energy efficiency and environmental preservation.”
In mid-February of this year, unusual weather made an impact on Texas and other regional states. The Energy Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) was challenged in its preparation for energy reliability. Texas’ infrastructure was under a multi-energy-sector’s failure. For four days or more, Texans did not have access to their energy needs, and problems mounted.
Planning is essential at all levels! ERCOT’s council members were mainly from out of state. This is an example of how we must meet the challenge of having qualified individuals lead in this nation, based upon their knowledge of their particular sector. In this nation, we have an individual leading our climate change initiative who travels using jet fuel and doesn’t carry the example of combining energy usage and environmental preservation. Another example is an individual who has served on a natural gas company board, but does not support fossil fuels. In order to have a plan, we need to have direction and consistency.
All forms of energy need to be a part of the national dialogue, in order to have as smooth a transition as possible. In order to have a transition, the use of oil and natural gas is an important part of America’s energy future. The infrastructure alone, in the oil and gas industry, is vital not only to energy usage, but economic prosperity and national security. All natural resources are important to future generations. A plan needs to be in place that transitions America and that unites us, not divides us.
The energy industry is a very complex sector. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, “You probably don’t think about what’s happening behind the scenes every time you flip a light switch or turn on the air conditioner, but there is a lot that goes into “keeping the lights on.” Beyond the watts that you use, which is what your local utility uses to calculate your electric bill, there are a number of additional parts necessary to keep electricity flowing.” The Office of Electricity, U.S. Department of Energy, says, “Modernizing America’s electricity infrastructure is one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s top priorities. The nation’s electric grid needs to be more efficient, reliable and secure.”
The nine points of the current Administration’s plan are the following:
1. Take executive action on Day 1 not just to reverse all of the damage Trump has done but go further and faster.
2. Work with Congress to enact in 2021, President Biden’s first year in office, legislation that, by the end of his first term, puts us on an irreversible path to achieve economy-wide net-zero emissions no later than 2050.
3. Rally the world to urgent and additional action.
4. Make a historic investment in clean energy and innovation.
5. Accelerate the deployment of clean technology throughout our economy.
6. Make environmental justice a priority across all federal agencies.
7. Hold polluters accountable.
8. Create 10 million good-paying, middle-class, union jobs.
9. Fulfill our obligation to the communities and workers that have risked their lives to produce fossil fuels that made it possible for America to win world wars and become an industrial power.
In order for the U.S. to be successful in energy policy, the oil and gas industry has to be factored in. The message to OPEC+ and countries throughout the world is that we maintain our energy resources, work force, security and geopolitical influence.
This is Part One in a series on America’s energy reliability. Your input is needed. Contact your representatives to let them know how you feel/think!
America needs America’s energy! All forms. All American. Future generations are depending on us to keep the American dream alive!
