{"id":341242,"date":"2024-08-31T18:46:14","date_gmt":"2024-08-31T16:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=341242"},"modified":"2024-08-31T18:46:16","modified_gmt":"2024-08-31T16:46:16","slug":"empowering-voters-navigating-energy-choices-in-the-upcoming-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=341242","title":{"rendered":"Empowering Voters: Navigating Energy Choices in the Upcoming Election"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
United States presidential election in 2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Watts Up With That?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Dave Schryver<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2024 general election could be the turning point in our country\u2019s energy future, setting the stage for significant shifts in how Americans produce and consume energy for decades to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent local, state and federal energy policy developments have been mixed. While there has been encouraging progress in recognizing natural gas as a clean, reliable and affordable domestic energy source, there have also been far too many attempts at the state and community level to hinder Americans\u2019 ability to choose their preferred energy source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As candidates debate our energy future during this election season, it\u2019s critical to remember that consumer interests are directly impacted \u2014 positively or negatively \u2014 by elected officials\u2019 decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns have been raised about efforts to limit energy choice, due to their adverse effects on energy affordability. Publicly-owned natural gas systems understand the need to adopt sustainable energy solutions and are committed to improving energy efficiency without sacrificing affordability and reliability. As the election season moves into full swing, here\u2019s what I think voters should keep their eyes on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do Energy Consumers Care About?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Americans<\/a> recognize the importance of integrating natural gas with renewable energy sources to energize their homes and buildings. However, recent policies from the White House<\/a> and the Department of Energy (DOE)<\/a> have limited the role that natural gas can play in providing reliable<\/a> and affordable<\/a> energy to consumers, contradicting consumers\u2019 desire for a diverse energy mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As voters, it\u2019s crucial to support candidates who listen to what most energy consumers want rather than catering to the demands of the most vocal minority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural Gas <\/strong>Policy Challenges and Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

State policymakers\u2019 attempt to ban natural gas in New York last year<\/a> is a powerful example of some states\u2019 shortsighted attempts to curb natural gas usage. While the policy doesn\u2019t ban natural gas in all buildings, it will significantly impact new construction, increasing utility bills for working families while jeopardizing energy resiliency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, the reversal of Berkeley, California\u2019s natural gas ban<\/a> \u2014 and similar revocations in other localities across the 9th<\/sup> Circuit \u2014 illustrates the need for practical energy policies that align with our nation\u2019s precedent of protecting energy choice. Over 50% of states<\/a> have passed energy choice legislation to date, demonstrating a robust voter demand for leaders who are committed to preserving access to affordable and reliable natural gas for over 157 million Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2025, lawmakers at all levels will face policy decisions that could either address or exacerbate these energy challenges. As candidates seek our vote, will they heed Americans\u2019 calls for affordable and reliable energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Promoting Energy Choice, Equity and Innovation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voters expect their federal, state and local elected officials to champion sound, effective energy solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The incoming 119th<\/sup> Congress has the opportunity to respond to what they hear from voters on the campaign trail \u2014 which should include reforming the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA)<\/a>. Initially enacted in 1975, this act and its subsequent amendments gave DOE the authority to set and update minimum efficiency standards for consumer products, including many natural gas-fired appliances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, many recently proposed efficiency standards are based on cost-benefit analyses that project only minimal energy and consumer savings, which promotes expensive fuel switching from gas to electric appliances. American consumers deserve policy reforms that ensure future appliance energy rulings are based on transparent criteria with economically justified thresholds for significant energy savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we enter the peak of the 2024 election season, let\u2019s remember that our votes in November will shape the energy landscape of tomorrow. By electing leaders who prioritize collaborative and balanced solutions that bring all stakeholders to the table, we can pave the way for a sustainable energy future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dave Schryver is President & CEO of the <\/em>American Public Gas Association<\/em><\/a>, a trade association representing more than 730 local, publicly and municipally owned gas systems in 38 states. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article was originally published by RealClearEnergy and made available via RealClearWire.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 2024 general election could be the turning point in our country\u2019s energy future, setting the stage for significant shifts in how Americans produce and consume energy for decades to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[691820954,691818128,691821728,691818376,691830430],"class_list":["post-341242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-department-of-energy-doe","tag-energy","tag-energy-policy-and-conservation-act-epca","tag-natural-gas","tag-state-policymakers","has-post-thumbnail","fallback-thumbnail"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paxLW1-1qLU","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":227254,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=227254","url_meta":{"origin":341242,"position":0},"title":"NY and PA: Midterm Election Energy Lesson","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"11\/03\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"With\u00a0energy\u00a0dominating the national discussion, look no further than\u00a0Pennsylvania and New York as examples of failure and fortune.\u00a0","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/image-139.png?fit=577%2C583&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/image-139.png?fit=577%2C583&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/image-139.png?fit=577%2C583&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":298967,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=298967","url_meta":{"origin":341242,"position":1},"title":"In 2024, Americans Must Decide What Energy Costs Means to Their Vote","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"01\/28\/2024","format":false,"excerpt":"As 2024 unfurls, it\u2019s worth putting a few things in context. While we may have seen a slight dip in gasoline prices, we\u2019re still paying prices last seen 12 years ago. Add in persistent inflation that still\u00a0brings sticker shock\u00a0at the grocery store and interest rates last seen in the 1980s,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"blackout worries\"","block_context":{"text":"blackout worries","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=blackout-worries"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/01200x0-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/01200x0-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/01200x0-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/01200x0-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/01200x0-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":432505,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=432505","url_meta":{"origin":341242,"position":2},"title":"Democrats Retreat from Climate Activism (energy affordability, electability in play)","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"03\/19\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201c[New York Governor] Hochul\u2019s shift could become a blueprint for Democrats across the country as they desperately try to convince voters they\u2019re aggressively tackling cost-of-living concerns \u2014 including energy bills \u2014 ahead of the midterm elections.\u201d \u2013 Politico, March 7, 2026","rel":"","context":"In \"climate law\"","block_context":{"text":"climate law","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=climate-law"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Democrats-Retreat-from-Climate-Activism-energy-affordability-electability-in-play1.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Democrats-Retreat-from-Climate-Activism-energy-affordability-electability-in-play1.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Democrats-Retreat-from-Climate-Activism-energy-affordability-electability-in-play1.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0-Democrats-Retreat-from-Climate-Activism-energy-affordability-electability-in-play1.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":402529,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=402529","url_meta":{"origin":341242,"position":3},"title":"Affordable, Reliable Energy Is at Risk as the Battle Moves to the States","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"09\/16\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In just over seven months, President Trump has achieved numerous historic accomplishments while leading what is nothing less than a revolution. Few achievements have been more impressive than the speed at which he and Republicans in Congress rolled back much of the energy-crippling \u201cInflation Reduction Act\u201d of 2022.","rel":"","context":"In \"\u201cInflation Reduction Act\u201d of 2022\"","block_context":{"text":"\u201cInflation Reduction Act\u201d of 2022","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=inflation-reduction-act-of-2022-2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-28.-Mai-2025-09_53_37.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-28.-Mai-2025-09_53_37.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-28.-Mai-2025-09_53_37.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-28.-Mai-2025-09_53_37.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-28.-Mai-2025-09_53_37.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":427459,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=427459","url_meta":{"origin":341242,"position":4},"title":"Beijing Boasts Clean Energy Leadership\u2014Fossil Fuels Still Dominate Reality","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"02\/22\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"China has indeed been aggressively promoting its leadership in renewable energy, and the achievements are substantial. In recent years, particularly through 2025 and into early 2026, China has installed record amounts of solar, wind, and other clean energy capacity, outpacing the rest of the world combined in many metrics. However,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"China\"","block_context":{"text":"China","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=china"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AQMgsiZdV7us-qo4A_U5hoU6xoW4WXJl4RfFniUqiCT4cDYzM93Wh5jT1Jw0mSvIkp2yDyP6v087MqW41SHkQrSA1ArJ3k6_FPFPddrRG2n070K48B5Zbn6wks-vlASZ-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AQMgsiZdV7us-qo4A_U5hoU6xoW4WXJl4RfFniUqiCT4cDYzM93Wh5jT1Jw0mSvIkp2yDyP6v087MqW41SHkQrSA1ArJ3k6_FPFPddrRG2n070K48B5Zbn6wks-vlASZ-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AQMgsiZdV7us-qo4A_U5hoU6xoW4WXJl4RfFniUqiCT4cDYzM93Wh5jT1Jw0mSvIkp2yDyP6v087MqW41SHkQrSA1ArJ3k6_FPFPddrRG2n070K48B5Zbn6wks-vlASZ-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AQMgsiZdV7us-qo4A_U5hoU6xoW4WXJl4RfFniUqiCT4cDYzM93Wh5jT1Jw0mSvIkp2yDyP6v087MqW41SHkQrSA1ArJ3k6_FPFPddrRG2n070K48B5Zbn6wks-vlASZ-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AQMgsiZdV7us-qo4A_U5hoU6xoW4WXJl4RfFniUqiCT4cDYzM93Wh5jT1Jw0mSvIkp2yDyP6v087MqW41SHkQrSA1ArJ3k6_FPFPddrRG2n070K48B5Zbn6wks-vlASZ-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":201605,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=201605","url_meta":{"origin":341242,"position":5},"title":"What Energy Price Spike? Aussie Greens Call for Coal Ban","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"05\/26\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Essay by Eric Worrall As Australia grapples with a savage energy price spike, Australian Greens have chosen now to push for the cancellation of coal projects. Australia urged to quickly ditch coal to meet new climate goals26 May 2022 08:20AM\u00a0(Updated: 26 May 2022 08:20AM)\u2026Australia\u2019s Labor Party\u00a0formed a new government on\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/0Anthony-Albanese.webp?fit=750%2C474&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/0Anthony-Albanese.webp?fit=750%2C474&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/0Anthony-Albanese.webp?fit=750%2C474&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/0Anthony-Albanese.webp?fit=750%2C474&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341242","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=341242"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341242\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":341245,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341242\/revisions\/341245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=341242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=341242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=341242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}