Letter to the editor: Clean energy key to lowering bills and increasing reliability

Pennsylvanians from Bucks County to Philadelphia deserve abundant, affordable energy. Yet too many families and businesses are seeing steep increases in their electricity bills — and they’re struggling to keep the lights on.

A recent op-ed rightly points out that energy costs have become unaffordable. What it gets wrong is blaming those increases on policies supporting wind and solar. In fact, expanding clean energy production is precisely what Pennsylvania needs to relieve the burden on consumers.

Regardless of political beliefs, the data is clear: Renewable energy is among the cheapest electricity sources available today. Multiple independent analyses — from Lazard to the U.S. Department of Energy — consistently show that utility-scale solar and wind cost less to generate electricity than new gas or coal power. These technologies also have no fuel costs, meaning they shield consumers from the kinds of fossil fuel price spikes that have driven up electricity rates in recent years.

And we don’t have to wait years to build it. According to PJM, over 87% of the energy projects currently waiting to connect to the grid are solar, wind, or battery storage. That means the fastest, most cost-effective way to add electricity and bring down rates is to move clean energy projects forward.

This isn’t about picking winners. It’s about doing what’s best for energy consumers — including more than half a million households and businesses in Bucks County — who are counting on policymakers to ensure the grid is reliable and rates are manageable.

Let’s get more electrons on the grid. Clean energy isn’t just the smart choice for the climate. It’s the best way to make sure Pennsylvania families and businesses can afford to power their lives.

Respectfully,

Evan Vaughan

Executive Director, MAREC Action