As printed on Dakota War College:
America’s energy security depends on our ability to produce reliable and affordable energy at home. President Biden and Democrats’ Green New Deal agenda to prematurely transition from conventional energy, like oil and natural gas, entirely to renewable power would undermine our energy security, as it has already begun to do. The truth is we can’t rely solely on renewable sources, as the technology has not advanced to the point that it can support all of our energy needs. Instead of an ill-fated transition that would lead to higher prices and increase dependence on foreign imports, we should pursue an all-of-the-above energy policy.
An all-of-the-above energy policy embraces the full spectrum of available resources: clean sources like wind, solar, hydropower, biofuels, and nuclear, as well as oil, natural gas, and clean coal. South Dakota’s all-of-the-above model of wind, hydroelectric, conventional energy, and production of renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel has made our state a leader in cleaner and more efficient energy technologies. While South Dakota generates over 80 percent of our electricity from renewable sources, conventional fuels still play an essential role in delivering a reliable and affordable energy supply. In contrast, California relies too heavily on renewables without sufficient storage or backup from conventional sources to meet demand. As a result, Californians pay some of the highest energy prices in the country for a highly unreliable electrical grid.