America needs wind and solar energy; rural America needs to provide it 

There is a problem in rural America.

about 60 million people, nearly 18 percent of Americans live in rural areas. Almost half (46%) live in economically distressed areas.

community is suffering Rural delivery This in turn reduces access to essential services such as quality health care and schools. People in rural areas tend to be poorer and older than Americans in other regions. But the saddest symptom of the problem is:The farmers The probability is 3.5 times They die by suicide at a higher rate than the general population.

But rural America holds vast untapped potential. Not only is it the nation’s breadbasket, but it could also become America’s “breadbasket.”Percentage occupied by rural areas 97 percent Within its land area, it can accommodate utility-scale solar and wind power plants, which the country desperately needs to ensure energy reliability.

Federal energy officials have warned that more than 300 million people in the United States and Canada could be without power this year.of North American Electric Reliability Corporation According to the report, peak electricity demand in North America is increasing faster than at any time in the past five years. This reverses decades of flat or declining demand trends.

of The Washington Post reported“The U.S.’s vast The region is at risk of running out of electricity.”

why? The economy, especially the transportation sector, is in shock. Demand for electricity will increase to cope with rising temperatures and heat waves. Another factor is the rise of manufacturing in the United States. From the time President Biden took office until last December, the United States added: 790,000 manufacturing jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are also companies that are greedy for energy, such as server farms and cryptocurrency farms.

The USDA has given us the estimates we need. 10 million acres Many companies will need solar collectors alone to meet the nation’s clean energy goals by mid-century. Therein lies a historic opportunity for rural America.

We are steadily introducing solar and wind power generation. Solar and wind power generation in 2022 Beyond coal power generation first time. But solar and wind farms are not being built fast enough to replace retired coal-fired power plants and meet the growing demand for electricity.

Part of the problem is a deliberate disinformation campaign by carpetbaggers associated with conservative groups. They are trying to make renewable energy a divisive political issue, as if the sun is a left-wing conspiracy. USA Today reports that local governments Ban on wind and solar power generation Faster than anything made in America. Many regions have construction restrictions and other policies that make successful wind and solar installations difficult.

Local protests aim to achieve 100 percent clean energy in the coming decades, slow global warming and prevent pollution that affects one in three Americans and contributes to nearly every health hazard It happens so often that it undermines America’s goal of 48,000 premature deaths every year in America.

But wind and sun are perfect crops. It requires no water, fertilizer, fuel or labor. They generate steady income throughout the year and provide a hedge against declining crop prices. This is especially important in times like these, as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicts that net farm income will decline significantly. Biggest decline in 18 years This is because crop prices will fall this year and production costs will rise.

Installing wind and solar power generates tax revenue that allows rural areas to build better roads and schools. For some rural families, income from wind turbines can be the difference between keeping their farm or losing it. There is reason to be concerned. USDA says the number of American farms is declining 150,000 since 2017.according to An expert, Many of them are absorbed by large agricultural corporations, leading to the decline of rural areas.

South Dakota is one example.that 1,700 farms lost Over the past five years, wind resources have 5th best in the nationenough to generate 30 times the state’s current electricity needs.

One concern is that solar and wind power projects will take prime farmland out of production. However, the small footprint of wind turbines allows solar arrays to be placed for grazing or growing crops. It can also be installed in remote areas. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that: 11 percent Although the continental United States’ land area is unfavorable for agriculture, it is suitable for energy production through solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass technologies. NREL concluded that solar power generation from these lands alone could meet America’s entire electricity needs.

Thankfully, there are organizations working to address local concerns.

In October, a coalition of solar power developers, conservationists, agricultural organizations, and tribal groups was formed. Agreement to resolve disputes Between farmland, landscapes, wildlife habitat and communities. They will develop guidance for locating large-scale solar power projects in a manner that satisfies local solar power stakeholders.

Utility-scale wind and solar power could create new opportunities for rural areas. It makes the most sense to place energy-intensive industries next to wind and solar farms. This reduces the need for new transmission infrastructure and reduces the energy losses associated with moving energy over long distances through transmission lines.While wind and solar power generate some jobs, light energy-intensive industries You can create more.

as world economic forum reports that “rural areas are the typical area.” 86% of persistently poor counties In the United States, rural America offers both great opportunities and challenges to achieve your goals. Biden administration pledge To help historically disadvantaged communities recover. As Congress and the administration seek policy solutions, Rebuild the economy paralyzed by the pandemicLocally targeted solutions are essential. ”

In addition, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology mapped the U.S. counties that would be most affected by the switch to clean energy, including those that are not covered by current federal incentives for clean energy development. This can guide future clean energy investments.

Local landowners and officials can seek accurate facts from the Wind and Solar Energy Association, national laboratories, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). DOE will also provide technical assistance and webinars to farmers about government programs that support small-scale wind energy projects. Published by USA Today interactive map Shows the potential for wind and solar power generation by county in the U.S. and where local governments are restricting wind and solar farm development.

The lesson here is clear. Solar and wind power developers need to lay the foundation for their projects by: Communication with rural residents Before the carpetbaggers did. And local officials should seek reliable information before restricting landowner rights, depriving family farmers of new income, or denying them promises of new property tax revenue or jobs.

William S. Becker Former U.S. Department of Energy Central Region Director, where he managed energy efficiency and renewable energy technology programs. He is executive director of the Presidential Climate Action Project, a bipartisan initiative founded in 2007 that works with national thought leaders to develop recommendations for presidential leadership on climate action. I am. This project is not affiliated with the White House.