“The future of American energy should be defined by abundance, not restriction.” By Thomas Turner, Virginia Director, Conservatives for Clean Energy
Posted in Windsdays Newsletter 4/1/26
Energy security is not just a policy preference—it is a national imperative. For conservatives, the principle is simple: America must produce more energy, not less, and we cannot afford to leave viable resources untapped. True energy independence strengthens our economy, fortifies our national defense, and insulates us from geopolitical instability.
For too long, energy debates have been framed as a choice between traditional fuels and renewables. That is a false choice. The future of American energy should be defined by abundance, not restriction. Oil, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, solar, and wind all play a role in meeting rising demand driven by technological growth and industrial expansion.
Offshore wind in particular deserves serious consideration. Projects like the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind initiative demonstrate that renewable energy can deliver large-scale power—enough for hundreds of thousands of homes—while also supporting critical infrastructure along our coasts. In regions like Hampton Roads, where military readiness is paramount, strengthening the grid is a matter of national security.
Meanwhile, global competitors are not hesitating. Nations such as China and India are rapidly deploying wind and solar because they are among the fastest ways to bring new energy online. If the United States chooses to limit itself, we risk falling behind in both energy production and strategic capability.
This is not about replacing one energy source with another. It is about building a resilient, diversified system that can meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges. Nuclear and emerging technologies like fusion must continue to advance, while renewables help scale capacity quickly.
Energy dominance should mean exactly that: dominance across all forms of energy. The path forward is not subtraction—it is addition.