Patrice Douglas: America Needs all-of-the-above Energy Infrastructure to Keep the Lights On
In her op-ed, “Soaring Summertime Temperatures Will Put the Heat on America’s Energy Supply,” Patrice Douglas raises concerns about America’s growing energy demand during extreme summer heat. She argues that current government policies under the Biden-Harris administration are making it harder for traditional energy sources like oil and gas to meet this demand. Their narrow focus on renewable energy, Douglas argues, is putting the country at risk of energy shortages and rising costs.
Douglas emphasizes that renewable energy, like wind and solar, is crucial for the future, but she stresses that traditional energy sources are still the backbone of America’s energy grid. She points out that pipelines, which are vital for transporting oil and natural gas, are being hampered by excessive regulations. The shutdown of the Keystone XL pipeline on President Biden’s first day in office is a prime example, she says, of how the administration’s focus on renewables has unfairly targeted traditional energy infrastructure, which could have serious consequences for the reliability of the nation’s energy supply.
One of Douglas’s key arguments is the need for an “all-of-the-above approach,” where both renewable and traditional energy sources are supported. She argues that the U.S. should not undermine reliable energy sources, particularly as the country faces rising heat-related illnesses and deaths due to extreme summer temperatures. As she puts it, “reliable energy is the most important tool for protecting people from dangerous heat waves,” and the government should be helping, not hindering energy production. In the end, Douglas advocates for a balanced energy policy—one that accelerates the development of renewables while also recognizing the essential role of oil, gas, and pipelines in meeting the country’s current and future energy needs. With the right support for traditional energy, she concludes, “future summers can return to being about enjoying the sun rather than hiding from it.”