Renewable Energy Is Not More Expensive Than Fossil Fuels by Katy Grogan

 Renewable Energy Is Not More Expensive Than Fossil Fuels

(Published on March 23, 2022 in The Janesville Gazette)


In his letter of March 15, Dennis Hopper blamed the Biden administration for high gas and oil prices. Most economists, however, attribute the rise in fuel costs to two factors–pent-up demand from the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine–both beyond a president’s control. 

The more egregious assertion in his letter, however, is that renewable energy is a “futuristic alternative still too expensive for mass use.” In fact, renewables often undercut the cheapest fossil fuels on cost. Electricity produced from fossil fuels costs 5-17 cents /kwh, while that produced by solar costs 3-6 cents and is trending downward.


The situation with wind is similar; costs are comparable to that of fossil fuels and trending downward. The Montana Environmental Information Center reported in 2021 that the biggest utility in the state is producing electricity from wind at half the price of coal.


Incentivizing the transition to renewables is the best way to ensure true energy independence and stable energy prices; and in doing so, we will address the most urgent crisis we face–that of our changing climate.


Katy Grogan

Janesville

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