Step one: Stop ceding ground to China.
Opinion by William McQuilkin
Energy is power. It not only powers our way of life, but it is also a key component of national power. History is replete with examples. The Dutch harnessed the wind with windmills, powering the Netherlands’ economy and the nation’s rise as early as the 17 Century. The British Empire was fueled by coal and the invention of the steam engine, which led to the Industrial Revolution. The age of oil for the United States started in 1859 when oil was found in western Pennsylvania. Oil and geopolitics have been intertwined, ever since.
Today, another energy transition is underway in renewable energy, and I am concerned that we are ceding ground to China in this next energy revolution. China is way ahead in renewable energy and battery technology, including solar power, an American invention. Putting aside the climate concerns for the moment, energy security is an essential component of U.S. national security. We need to start treating renewable energy as a strategic commodity. Effective energy policies are vital to U.S. prosperity and geopolitical standing. We need a new energy economy that works for everyone.
