Secretary Wright has the Right Solutions

February 24, 2025

Chris Wright is Right: A Better Energy Future

Why? The newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright understands that inspiration and technology are the solution to our energy needs, not protest and propaganda.

Hydrocarbons are natural resources that have raised the standard of living for the whole planet. However, their use comes with important responsibilities. We must be good shepherds of the Earth, even as we harness its incredible resources. We must utilize the Earth’s natural resources in the cleanest, most efficient and economically sustainable manner.

We believe that electricity should be generated as efficiently as possible-not by faux solutions such as solar arrays that destroy farmland or wind turbines that kill millions of birds and bats. These are not good technological innovations, nor are we fulfilling our role to take good care of this beautiful planet. Instead, we should utilize our inherent inspiration to make better and more powerful, efficient and clean technologies. We’ve come a long way from a hundred years ago, but we can do better than this. We can use our natural resources in a way that benefits all humanity, and all the life on this planet. It’s up to us.

The Affordable, Reliable, Clean Energy Security Act

And, that’s why we need energy policies that are closer to all of us, rather than from an out-of-touch ivory tower in Washington D.C.

While many important energy policies will always be determined at the federal level, the real work needs to be done closer to home. That’s why the The Affordable, Reliable And Clean Energy Security Act model offered by the American Legislative Exchange Council is such a needed solution.

The ARC Energy Security Act model legislation gives states and local governments a blueprint to embrace common-sense energy principles at home without waiting for a top-down solution from Washington D.C. As National Review put it, The ARC Energy Security model aims “to redirect the vital and contentious issue of American energy away from its Washington, D.C., battleground and to the 50 states, for the purpose of providing we the people a greater and more-localized say in energy security.”

The Empowerment Alliance has already worked to establish the Natural Gas is Green principle to define American natural gas as green and clean energy. Ohio and Tennessee have passed legislation designating it as such. That allows us to declare American natural gas as the clean energy standard. Now, we must encourage all 50 states to pass legislation using the ARC Energy Security model as a starting point to unleash energy prosperity for every household and business.

The Natural Gas Clean Standard

Natural gas has locked down its position as THE affordable and reliable energy source. According to the American Gas Association, American families have saved $125 billion over the last decade because of affordable natural gas. Households that use natural gas for heating, cooking and other appliances save an average $1,132 per year compared to homes using electricity for such appliances. Natural gas powers 33% of America’s total energy needs and 43% of U.S. electricity generation.

But, the clean energy standard that natural gas brings to the table is what sets it apart without compromising affordability and reliability. The U.S. is the world leader in lowering carbon emissions, largely because of increased use of natural gas for that electricity generation. The shift to natural gas for electricity generation is the top reason for U.S. power sector emissions reductions over the past 17 years. Natural gas—with its distinctive blue flame—has long been used in furnaces and kitchens only a few feet from the family dining room table, showing it is environmentally safe and healthy.

Because natural gas is the clear standard for affordable, reliable and clean energy, the benchmark it sets creates an opportunity for other energy sources. A study from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy and Northwood University analyzed at an array of our key sources of energy and assigned them letter grades based on a number of factors. What they really uncovered was a world of opportunity.

Setting this natural gas clean standard establishes a common-sense approach to clean-generated electricity. It also considers the use of existing and future technology that can take a hydrocarbon like oil or coal and turn it into a cleanly burned fuel source. We are the most innovative society on earth, why would we take affordable and reliable energy sources off the table forever instead of using technology to produce clean-generated electricity that benefits all Americans?

Nuclear power is another important energy source to be incorporated into the American energy mix. Nuclear power has proven to be an affordable, reliable and clean energy source producing electricity that is nearly emission-free. While hydrocarbons supplied 60% of the United States’ electricity in 2023, nuclear power supplied less than 20%. The room for growth in nuclear power is huge.

The natural gas clean standard is like a ruler by which other energy sources can be measured. Using this guide, policymakers from Washington D.C. to our state legislatures can craft legislation that embraces a mix of affordable, reliable and clean energy sources meeting the same standards as American natural gas.

Americans want ARC Energy Security.

Nearly 60 million Americans from every single state in the nation say they consider energy affordability when deciding how they will vote. These voters may not know all the nuances of the how the electrical grid works. They might not know the most current stats on LNG imports to our allies. They may not know the questionable aspects of the renewable energy supply chain that relies on nefarious foreign governments. But, they do know that energy is a factor in almost every aspect of our daily lives and that’s why keeping it affordable, clean and reliable is so important.

Elected representatives looking for an issue that really connects to their constituents’ daily lives should take note. The ARC Energy Security model legislation is THE solution and exactly the kind of policy these Energy Affordability Voters are looking for from their leaders.