Why Trump’s Energy Policies Could Be Driving Your Electric Bill Higher

Largely due to Donald Trump's energy policies, electricity bills are climbing across the country. But according to conservative energy advocate David Jenkins, much of what Americans are being told about renewable energy in order to protect the fossil fuel industry simply doesn’t hold up.

In this episode of Lean to the Left, Jenkins, president of Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, challenges some of the most common myths surrounding solar, wind, fossil fuels, and the reliability of America’s power grid. He argues that renewable energy is no longer the expensive, unreliable alternative critics often portray—and that in many cases, it is now cheaper than coal and natural gas.

Jenkins also sharply criticizes Trump administration energy policies, including the cancellation of offshore wind projects and efforts to keep aging coal plants operating. He says those decisions can force utilities to rely on electricity that costs far more to produce, with the added expense ultimately landing on customers.

The discussion also explores:

Why wind and solar helped stabilize the Texas grid during extreme weather;

How battery storage has changed the renewable-energy equation;

Why some utility commissions may be protecting corporate profits instead of consumers;

How fossil-fuel interests help fuel misinformation about renewables and electric vehicles;

Why Jenkins believes conservation and responsible energy policy are fundamentally conservative values;

What consumers can do when utility rates keep rising.

Jenkins argues that the energy debate should not be about ideology.

“There is no red or blue or right or left energy. Energy’s just energy.”

And right now, he says, renewables often make the most economic sense.

Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship works on energy, conservation, public lands, and wildlife issues. Learn more at ConservativeStewards.org.

Chapters

00:00 Energy Bills and Renewables

01:28 Meet David Jenkins

01:36 Conservative Stewardship Roots

02:48 Myths About Reliability

05:07 Climate Change Reality Check

07:35 Trump Cancels Wind Projects

10:03 Coal Orders Raise Costs

13:31 Utility Commissions and Rate Hikes

15:27 Renewables Now Cheaper

17:32 Fossil Fuel Misinformation Machine

18:33 How Conservatives Fight Back

21:32 Get Involved and Closing Thoughts

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