Right now, our electric grid is a patchwork. One region may have sunshine, another wind, another hydro — but few of these clean energy sources can reach where they’re needed most. Aging infrastructure, limited transmission, and outdated policy frameworks hold us back from the grid we could have.
It doesn’t have to stay that way.
Imagine a modern energy network that unites the states like our interstate highways once did — where energy flows efficiently across state lines, backed by a diverse mix of renewables, dispatchable generation, and battery storage. A grid where:
Wind from the plains powers cities during heatwaves.
Solar energy from the Southwest flows into cloudy regions.
Hydro, nuclear, and natural gas provide dependable backup.
And utility-scale battery storage smooths out the gaps.
This is how we build true energy independence — not by relying on any one technology, but by linking them together.
Here's What That Takes:
1. Smart Transmission Investment
We need to upgrade and expand our long-distance transmission lines, making sure every region can contribute and draw power when needed. That means connecting high-potential renewables with high-demand cities — without leaving rural communities behind.
2. Battery Storage at Scale
Batteries are the bridge between intermittent supply and constant demand. Investing in utility-scale and distributed battery systems gives us the flexibility to make the most of solar, wind, and other renewables — day or night, rain or shine.
3. Balanced, Diverse Energy Portfolio
A future-ready grid includes solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, nuclear, and natural gas, with redundancy built in. Every source has a role to play — and none should be forced out by policy or market imbalances.
4. Cybersecurity and Grid Hardening
A 21st-century grid needs 21st-century protections. That includes digital and physical safeguards against attacks and disruptions, as well as investments in domestic manufacturing of transformers and infrastructure.
5. Transparent, Resilient Market Structures
Current electricity markets often favor complexity over clarity. We need to reform how generation is priced and supported — ensuring fair compensation for reliability, and customer-focused outcomes.
Why It Matters
For Communities: Power outages cost lives. Extreme heat, winter storms, and wildfires all demand a grid that can adapt quickly.
For the Economy: A clean, reliable energy system attracts investment, supports new industries, and lowers costs long term.
For National Security: A diverse, domestic, resilient grid shields us from foreign fuel shocks, pipeline sabotage, and cyber threats.
For Our Children: The choices we make today determine what kind of energy legacy we leave behind — and whether we truly rise to meet the moment.
We don’t need to choose between clean energy and reliable energy. With smart planning, long-term investment, and cooperation across state lines, we can build an energy system that does both — and does it better than ever before.
Let’s power a United States of Energy — one where every state contributes, every community benefits, and every American has access to safe, affordable, and sustainable electricity.