Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Posted on 01/22/2026 7:21:40 AM PST by MtnClimber
Sometimes the debate over U.S. energy policy feels more like a shouting match, instead of a factual discussion about how to meet the nation’s rapidly growing needs.
In one corner, there’s the push for 100% renewables. In the other corner, it’s almost all about oil and gas.
But outside the competing echo chambers on the left and the right, a quiet success story is unfolding in America’s rural – and yes, more politically conservative – communities.
It turns out that keeping the lights on isn’t about picking a side. It’s about picking all the energy sources that can deliver affordable and reliable electricity based on local conditions.
That was the major finding of a new report issued by The Western Way, a non-profit that seeks pro-market solutions to energy and environmental challenges, on power grid reliability in rural America.
The report reviewed 10 rural and conservative-leaning states – Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. It concluded the power grids in those states are 2 to 7 times more reliable than the national average, according to data on electrical outages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
What is their secret? It isn’t a singular reliance on coal or natural gas, nor is it a blind rush toward renewables and battery storage. The data reveals that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. Instead, these states are harnessing a range of energy sources to keep their power grids reliable.
Consider just two of the states analyzed in The Western Way report – South Dakota and Arizona – which have some of the most reliable power grids in the country.
In South Dakota, the number one source of electricity is wind (58%), followed by hydropower (22%) and natural gas (11%), with coal and other sources making up the
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearenergy.org ...
|
|
Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
Yes, let the free enterprise system work.
Never ever forget a prime rule of all multiverses: If the left touches it, it’ll turn to shi...er...Dorkbamastuff.
Always.
Forever.
No exceptions.
Not kidding.
For the left however that is kryptonite.
Why doesn’t the article mention Texas?
Do keep in mind that those demanding onesizefitsall sustainable yadayadayada energy are the simplest creatures capable of sustained speech. They are not willing or capable of the thought processes needed to consider that local conditions might mean exceptions to their simplistic solutions.
Life ain’t simple — except to those incapable of examining it.
Keep in mind it is a grid. If the commies don’t generate electricity and rely on batteries they will steal your electricity from the grid. Like NJ currently does in PA.
Yes, let the free enterprise system work.>>> but understand it is a grid. If the commies want batteries they will use your generating power to charge them. This is being done in the NE with Jersey stealing from the PA grid.
Maybe because Texas is lower in reliability, like around 30th. Probably because of the big winter outages that were primarily because the Federal Government would not allow outside producers to sell electricity to Texas.
The Texas ‘regulatory’ system has twice allowed Texan households to be gouged about $20 billion (~$2,000/household on average).
Has this system been changed?
A lot of it is Texas government’s fault, that big freeze disaster could have been prevented by better maintenance of the important points that froze, which shut down their energy plants.
As a Texan, that freeze disaster is a long enduring embarrassment worthy of California politicians.
It is my understand Texas insists on its own grid to avoid federal regulation.
The good old boys in Austin wouldn’t want Uncle Sam getting in the way of $20 billion ripoffs.
*** Why doesn’t the article mention Texas? ***
Doesn’t fit the narrative. And now that Texas is building data centers which are water and electricity hogs, our ERCOT and PUC are showing that Texas Citizens are not a priority.
Also, BESS has invaded, one slated to be built right next to a high school in Harper, TX in Gillespie County.
It doesn’t mention Tennessee either. All it takes to knock our power out is for the wind to blow. We are probably in the top 10 worst so I’m not surprised.
What a crock of shiite is this article.
“That was the major finding of a new report issued by The Western Way, a non-profit that seeks pro-market solutions to energy and environmental challenges, on power grid reliability in rural America.”
What are these “environmental challenges” that need free market solutions? Get it? The failed premise here is that Climate Change is challenge that should be addressed. Or that coal consumption is a challenge.
“All of the above” is just liberated drivel for Republicans and conservatives who wish to be respected and seem to be caring.
And, the Midwest is not stable because much of it is interstate pacts such as PMJ.
There is absolutely no scenario where windmills and solar help grid reliability or lower cost or even help lower emissions.
Generation by coal, gas, nuke are reliable. So why add anything to that? They are the only reliable sources and as such there generation capacity must match demand. The other crap sources are not reliable and result in wasted capital investment. If you invest in solar and wind you will also need to invest to have a matching traditional source. So “all of the above” basically results in spending 2-3x of capital.
My understanding was that the heaters that should have kept the natural gas plants working in TX were powered by wind, that wasn’t working because the lubricants had frozen.
Yes! Reliable energy is NOT a one size fits all, this country should not single source energy production, at all, ever. Wind, solar, nuke, coal, oil, wood, geothermal, tidal, all of it has it’s place and makes the grid that much more secure.
I agree that there are little to no environmental challenges. The only challenges are that if you have a new idea then do a demonstration project to prove it works to lower cost or improve reliability.
I notice TX isn’t mentioned in this blurb...28% renewables that failed miserably and got people killed a few years back.
Hope this weekend doesn’t bring a repeat.
Let's not have a repeat of what was it, 2023 or 2022?
Anyway we're praying against it but fact is, it is gonna get dicey. Wind farms everywhere, how will it affect the larger grid when the storm hits? That's a question.
Texas is separate from the rest of the lower 48 grid, which could be good or bad from their POV. We're gonna find out.
I tested my generator yesterday...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.