Energy security is national security

If the current war in Ukraine has taught us anything, it’s that energy security is national security. We’ve known it for a long time: our reliance on foreign fossil fuels gives us less control over our energy prices, increasing the power of the countries we buy from. We’ve seen this with Russia’s manipulation of oil and natural gas prices during the current conflict, and the trend will continue unless we transition our economy toward green energy.

As the former GM/CEO of a small, rural electric co-op, I know the benefits of self-reliance and energy security. Our co-op’s popular solar energy program has reduced rates for our customers, insulating them from market volatility that would otherwise drive up prices. It’s also allowed us to keep our dollars local. The less money we have to pay to buy electricity from elsewhere, the more money we can keep in our communities, and the stronger they’ll become.

The same benefits we’ve seen can be applied nationally. More green energy production means less power for countries who export petroleum like Russia. It means more reliable power generation, lower rates, and dollars being spent locally instead of going to Texas or Saudi Arabia.

Warren McKenna

Kalona