LEFT SIDE
selling our future for the present
Connor Rock
An unprecedented backslide has occurred in America's growth towards green energy alternatives since the change of administration in January. The secretary for the Department of Energy, Chris Wright, announced a 3.7 billion USD cut to grants funding green energy initiatives and projects. In addition to the cost-cutting, the DOE has also rolled back 47 regulations and statutes, all in the name of “Cost-cutting for the American people.” While both actions will impact the American taxpayer, what about their children? Defunding green energy initiatives allows the continued use of fossil fuels, which experts have shown to be detrimental to our environment and planet. It would be pointless to rehash how serious Global Warming is, or how important the ecosystems around us are, even if many doubt or disagree with known and proven facts.
Yes, the grants served experimental technological research like carbon capture, technologies that remain far from effective or deployable. However, that is what government-funded research should be for. The U.S. Government funded the development of the internet for the better part of 30 years, when it was a pipedream for every household to own a computer.
In addition, it is worth noting that Chris Wright made a name for himself in shale oil and fracking. Wright and President Trump have pushed “American Energy Domination,” and promise to lower our dependence on oil from international sources and the cost of power for the American people. While both goals appear noble in nature, can one justify cutting costs if it cheats future generations out of stable power and a clean planet? Oil will not last forever, and as global warming continues, it becomes ever more imperative that we move away from oil for good. We must bear the costs, and the DOE should instead focus on green energy and helping the American people navigate the change away from fossil fuels.
We must push Congress and the Supreme Court to enact stronger legislation and end the haphazard budget cuts to programs. The Trump Administration cannot be allowed to continue selling our future for benefits in the present.
