Daily Caller Hosts First Live Event on Energy Future

On Tuesday, Daily Caller held its inaugural live event at ClearPath Action, where experts discussed the “future of America’s energy.”

Kenny Stein, the Vice President of Policy at the Energy Research Institute, joined Nick Pope, Associate Editor at Daily Wire News Foundation, to delve into the history of renewable energy subsidies.

The discussion focused on the origins of these subsidies and what the so-called “big beautiful bill” could mean for American energy. It was quite an engaging dialogue.

Stein’s expertise spans domestic and international energy policy, environmental regulations, and electrical grids, among other areas.

During the event, Stein noted that the initial intent of these grants was to be temporary. However, he pointed out that many government programs, once started, tend to linger on.

He suggested that the debate on subsidies has essentially passed its prime, yet the government has continued to extend them since 2015.

With the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022 by former President Joe Biden, these benefits became codified into law.

While Stein advocated for the ideal abolition of subsidies, he acknowledged the current political climate makes such changes challenging.

He remarked, “Unfortunately, energy policy has become very partisan and polarized, leaving little room for agreement on either side.”

Stein argued that these subsidies have, in a way, fueled America’s development, especially in urban infrastructure. He suggested that changes to energy laws could enhance this situation.

“Building things in this country takes too long,” he said. “It’s not just energy infrastructure; it’s roads, housing, dams, and more. But fixing that would require significant changes to existing environmental laws.”

Stein also pointed out European countries’ reliance on nuclear energy, using this as an example of how nations manage their energy production. He stressed the importance of states overseeing their own energy rather than depending solely on federal regulations.

“Investment strategies should be tailored to local needs, not driven by federally mandated subsidies,” he remarked. “Too many energy investments today lean more on subsidies than on strategic planning for the future.”

Stein acknowledged that alterations to the grid could raise prices initially but predicted a decline in costs over time as energy reliability improves.

“Recent advancements in technology, including AI and cloud solutions, present numerous opportunities to enhance the grid’s reliability,” he noted.

The Energy Research Institute (IER) is a non-profit that conducts research on both domestic and international energy sectors.