Kentucky Senator Rand Paul wants the US to embrace energy freedom. However, he realizes that there are numerous obstacles in the way for the US to achieve this.
On March 17, 2022, Paul made an appearance on Fox News “Fox & Friends” where he criticized Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.
The Energy Secretary used Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine as a pretext to push for “clean energy” aka inefficient green energy.
He described Granholm’s calls for clean energy as “completely nonsensical and tone-deaf.”
.The Kentucky Senator asserted that Europe was “under the thumb” of Russian President Vladimir Putin due to Europe’s increased energy dependence.
He specifically noted that “Germany dramatically eliminated coal from their energy and dramatically eliminated nuclear [power] almost overnight over the course of a couple of years. And they’re almost entirely dependent on Russian oil and natural gas now because of the green movement.”
As paleoconservative historian Paul Gottfried highlighted, before Russia invaded, Europe was importing 40% of its natural gas and 25% of its oil from Russia. Moreover, Gottfried called attention to the fact that Germany was importing 55% of its energy from Russia at the start of 2022. This is largely due to Germany’s decision to close down nuclear facilities and phase out coal production.
Back to the Kentucky Senator.
Paul explained what the Left’s real end goal is with regards to “clean energy”:
“When the left talks about more clean energy, it is really code for less coal, less fossil fuels, less nuclear.”
The Kentucky Senator stressed the importance of having a diverse energy portfolio, but also recognize that certain forms of energy are more efficient:
“But every American ought to know from a gut feeling we should be producing all types of energy. I’m not against windmills or solar power, but if you want energy for large populations, you have to have other forms of energy, as well.”
Rand Paul is correct. Ultimately, the market should decide what’s the most efficient and reliable form of energy that people must use to carry out daily activities. But for that to happen, the US must break the regulatory shackles that prevent its energy industry from reaching its full potential.
Paul’s Fox News interview appearance can be watched here:
ICYMI This morning I joined @Foxnews. Anytime the left pushes for ‘clean energy,’ realize it's code for limiting energy from fossil fuels and nuclear. pic.twitter.com/iQJPO0MIPo
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 17, 2022
