Vitamin H
Communicating Climate Optimism: Inspiring Action Through a Wide Path Energy Approach
With the U.S. electric grid teetering on the edge as we approach another potentially harsh summer, a balanced and sustainable energy strategy has never been more pressing.
The combination of extreme weather events and the increasing demand from power-intensive technologies like EVs, AI, and cryptocurrency mining are pushing the grid to its limits. To harness the full potential of solar and wind energy, often generated far from population centers, a significant infrastructure overhaul is required in the form of thousands of miles of new transmission lines across the country.
Against this backdrop, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently issued a ruling that could be a game-changer. The ruling alters the process for planning and building long-distance power lines, with the aim of eliminating barriers to encourage the construction of new high-voltage lines to inject more—and cleaner—energy into the grid. FERC’s plan involves states and utilities collaborating on demand forecasts and budgeting to develop long-term development plans, a strategy that could lead to a more robust and sustainable grid.
While these changes are a step in the right direction, they are not without their challenges. The extensive buildouts required will take decades to complete, and the narrow focus on electrification powered by wind and solar, while a critical component of our clean energy strategy, limits our possibilities. This myopic approach not only diverts attention from alternative clean energy sources but also hinders the progress of decarbonization. A more balanced strategy is needed to ensure a sustainable and resilient energy future.
By incorporating an array of low-carbon energy into processes where they make sense, we can decarbonize faster and alleviate some of the burden on the overwhelmed electric grid. Embracing innovative energy sources like small modular nuclear reactors, renewable liquid fuels, geothermal energy, and green hydrogen provides the energy diversity our country needs to continue to prosper while making faster progress on our climate goals. These energy sources can power hard-to-abate industries like shipping, manufacturing, trucking, agriculture, and air travel, which electricity is not currently equipped to handle.
This “wide path” approach can not only fortify our energy capacity and resiliency in the near term but also inspire the scientific community to double down on its work discovering new energy sources we haven’t even considered yet. Here at Hahn, we encourage our energy clients to get on board with the “Climate Optimism” movement by communicating the positive steps they’re taking to move us toward a net zero future. While doom and gloom might be good clickbait, optimistic (but realistic) solutions and stories are a much more powerful tool for galvanizing people to take action and make the world a better place for generations to come.