Addressing Utility Costs Through Clean Energy and Modernization

The rising cost of utilities is a pressing issue for many American households. To alleviate this burden and ensure a sustainable future, I am committed to advancing policies that promote clean energy generation, make it easier and more affordable for property owners to adopt renewable energy solutions, and modernize our nation’s power grid.

Universal Net Metering

Universal net metering is a key component of my policy to reduce utility costs. Net metering allows property owners who generate their own electricity, typically through solar panels, to sell excess energy back to the grid. This not only lowers their utility bills but also contributes to the overall energy supply. I support universal net metering policies that ensure fair compensation for individuals and businesses who invest in renewable energy. By making net metering universally available, we can encourage more people to adopt clean energy solutions, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and lower overall utility costs.

Here’s my full position specifically on universal net metering.

Emphasis on Clean Energy Generation

Transitioning to clean energy is essential for both environmental sustainability and economic efficiency. I advocate for policies that make clean energy generation as easy, accessible, and incentivized as possible for the average property owner. This includes:

  • Tax Incentives and Rebates: Expanding federal tax credits and rebates for installing renewable energy systems such as solar panels and wind turbines. These financial incentives can significantly lower the upfront costs of clean energy systems, making them more accessible to homeowners and businesses.
  • Simplified Permitting Processes: Streamlining local, state, and federal permitting processes to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects.
  • Educational Programs: Funding educational programs to raise awareness about the benefits of clean energy and provide resources for property owners interested in renewable energy systems.

Solar-Powered Resiliency Hubs

In Louisiana, we face unique challenges during hurricane season. To enhance community resilience, I propose creating solar-powered resiliency hubs. These hubs can provide reliable power during outages caused by hurricanes and other natural disasters. Equipped with solar panels and energy storage systems, these hubs would:

  • Support Emergency Services: Ensure that critical services such as medical facilities, emergency response centers, and community shelters have access to uninterrupted power during crises.
  • Serve as Community Centers: Provide a safe space for residents to charge devices, store perishable goods, and access essential information during prolonged outages.
  • Enhance Community Resilience: Strengthen our ability to respond to and recover from natural disasters, making our communities more resilient and self-sufficient.

Modernizing the Power Grid

A modernized power grid is critical for integrating renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency. I support initiatives to:

  • Upgrade Grid Infrastructure: Invest in modernizing the current grid infrastructure to handle increased loads from renewable energy sources and improve resilience against outages and cyber-attacks.
  • Smart Grid Technology: Implement smart grid technologies that enhance grid management, allow for real-time monitoring and control, and enable more efficient energy distribution.
  • Energy Storage Solutions: Promote the development and deployment of advanced energy storage solutions to store excess renewable energy and ensure a reliable power supply even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.

National Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)

To drive the transition to clean energy on a national scale, I support the implementation of a national Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). An RPS mandates that a certain percentage of electricity sold by utilities comes from renewable sources. This policy would:

  • Set Ambitious Targets: Establish clear, achievable targets for renewable energy generation that increase over time, pushing utilities to adopt more clean energy sources.
  • Encourage Innovation: Spur innovation in the renewable energy sector by creating a stable market demand for clean energy technologies.
  • Reduce Emissions: Significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to national and global efforts to combat climate change.
  • Increase the value of energy generation: When utility companies have to meet clean energy goals, they will pay an arm and a leg to those who are making that job a little easier. This has the potential to put a real premium on energy generation, making your utility bill a lot lower. Or better yet, making the check they have to write you a lot bigger.

By addressing utility costs through universal net metering, promoting clean energy generation, modernizing the power grid, and implementing a national RPS, we can create a more sustainable, affordable, and resilient energy system. These policies not only lower utility bills for American families but also pave the way for a cleaner and more prosperous future. I am committed to championing these initiatives and ensuring that every property owner has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from our nation’s clean energy transition.

Climate Change

In confronting the urgent and perilous reality of climate change, my North Star is an unwavering commitment to aggressive, innovative action to mitigate its worst effects, while ensuring a just and equitable transition for all. Recognizing that the oil and gas sector cannot be phased out overnight, I am dedicated to prioritizing and genuinely caring for the workers within these industries, acknowledging the limitations of retraining programs and seeking practical, supportive solutions. Simultaneously, I embrace the economic gold rush in clean energy, advocating for policies that not only protect our planet but also drive prosperity through sustainable, renewable resources.

A Just Transition to Clean Energy

Understanding the nuanced dynamics of the oil and gas sectors, my platform proposes a compassionate just transition strategy. I recognize that completely phasing out these industries is impractical and could jeopardize the livelihoods of countless families.

Instead, I support a balanced approach, offering retraining programs, economic diversification initiatives, and social safety nets to ensure that workers and their communities can thrive in a changing economic landscape without sacrificing their financial security.

My vision is a future where climate justice prevails, powered by clean energy, fortified by strong community safeguards, and guided by a just and equitable transition for all.

Justice for Cancer Alley

The actions of the oil and gas industry, particularly in ‘Cancer Alley’, Louisiana, are unacceptable. I am committed to holding these corporations accountable and seeking justice for affected communities.

Furthermore, I will prioritize the protection of the most vulnerable communities from harmful environmental conditions. High standards for air and water quality are non-negotiable, no matter who you are or where you live, as is ensuring healthy communities for everyone.

Expand EV Infrastructure Nationwide

I am committed to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) as a cornerstone of our environmental and energy strategy. Recognizing the critical role of infrastructure in scaling up the EV market, I support a bold federal initiative to rapidly expand the U.S. EV charging infrastructure. This policy position is not just about bolstering the convenience of owning an EV; it’s about laying the groundwork for a sustainable transportation future.

To achieve this, I advocate for significant federal investment in a nationwide network of EV charging stations, aiming to eliminate range anxiety and make EV ownership accessible and practical for all Americans, regardless of where they live or travel. This includes urban centers, rural areas, and everything in between, ensuring that EV charging stations are as common and convenient as traditional gas stations.

Universal Net Metering

I believe in universal net metering to ensure that everyone can contribute to and benefit from clean energy, making the generation and sale of electricity accessible and equitable. Clean energy is not just an environmental imperative but a significant economic opportunity. I advocate for democratizing electricity generation and sales, promoting initiatives like community solar to empower individuals and businesses.

A National Renewal Portfolio Standard

I stand for the establishment of a national renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that ambitiously targets increasing our use of renewable energy sources. Central to this goal is a substantial solar carve-out, emphasizing the pivotal role of solar energy, particularly community solar, in democratizing the benefits of the clean energy economy. By enabling more Americans to produce, use, and sell solar energy, we not only combat climate change but also open up significant economic opportunities for individuals and communities nationwide. I am committed to ensuring that solar energy becomes a cornerstone of our energy policy, making clean energy accessible and profitable for all