Red States like Florida Prove Clean Energy Policies Benefit All
TL/DR –
The article discusses the economic benefits of clean energy, with states such as Texas, Iowa, and Oklahoma leading wind energy production in the US by 2023. The US wind industry has attracted nearly $330 billion of investment in the last 20 years with 131,000 jobs. The solar industry also employs around 280,000 Americans and has generated over $60 billion of private investment, with Texas and Florida being among the top solar-generating states in the US.
U.S. Conservatives See Economic Promise in Clean Energy
Conservatives in the U.S. recognize the substantial economic opportunities offered by clean energy. In 2023, Texas, Iowa, and Oklahoma, all conservative-leaning states, capitalized on their wind resources, leading the nation in wind energy production.
Supported by federal policies incentivizing green energy, the wind industry in the U.S. has attracted nearly $330 billion investment in the past 20 years, with $10 billion invested in new projects in 2023 alone. The sector also employs 131,000 Americans and supports an additional 300,000 adjacent jobs.
Solar energy also presents a promising sector. By 2023, nearly 280,000 Americans were employed in the solar industry across more than 10,000 companies nationwide. These companies generated over $60 billion of private investment in the American economy. Texas and Florida, two Republican-led states, rank among the top three solar-generating states in the U.S.
Recognizing the Economic Potential of Clean Energy
Aware of the potential for job creation and community growth through clean energy projects and investment, 18 GOP lawmakers penned a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in November 2024. They urged him to preserve the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, a comprehensive climate bill from the Biden era.
While the Inflation Reduction Act passed in a partisan manner, it integrated several policies previously championed by Republican lawmakers independently.
They highlighted, “Energy tax credits have spurred innovation, incentivized investment, and created good jobs in many parts of the country — including many districts represented by members of our conference. As Republicans, we support an all-of-the-above approach to energy development and tax credits that incentivize domestic production, innovation, and delivery from all sources.”
Clean Energy Benefits Across Party Lines
A significant proportion of Inflation Reduction Act projects — 60% representing 85% of the investment and 60% of the job creation — are located in Republican districts.
Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the chair of the House Conservative Climate Caucus, and Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter, whose district hosts a $5.5 billion Hyundai EV manufacturing plant, both understand the benefits. Their districts, like many others, profit from clean-energy projects and investments, providing good-paying jobs, bolstering the tax base, and revitalizing communities.
Clean energy policies and projects benefit the economy, communities, and the climate.
Bob Inglis, the executive director of republicEn.org advocating for free enterprise solutions to climate change, served two terms as a U.S. congressman representing Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina. This article was originally published by C-Change Conversations and distributed by The Invading Sea website, a platform for news and commentary on climate change and other environmental issues affecting Florida.
—
Read More US Economic News