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A reliable energy future requires smarter investments — not more fossil fuels • Minnesota Reformer [1]

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Date: 2025-05-28

A recent column in the Duluth News Tribune argued that renewables alone cannot sustain our nation’s energy demands, suggesting that fossil fuels must remain central to our power system.

But this argument ignores the real issue: our grid isn’t built for the energy transition we need. The problem isn’t renewables — it’s an outdated and inadequate transmission system. Wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric and energy storage are already proving to the world that they can effectively power our homes, businesses and communities, all while helping our economy, protecting our health, and keeping our environment clean.

A common myth about clean energy is that it isn’t reliable because the sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow. But clean energy is more than just solar and wind — it includes geothermal and hydroelectric, and can be supplemented with energy storage, all of which provide steady power. Geothermal energy taps into underground heat, operating 24/7 to supply electricity and heating, while hydroelectric power from rivers and dams generates constant energy. New battery storage and smart grid technology help balance energy use by storing extra power when it’s available and distributing it when needed. A diverse mix of clean energy sources creates a more stable and reliable energy system — something fossil fuels alone can’t guarantee.

Extreme weather events, rising fuel costs, and grid failures have proven that fossil fuels don’t ensure reliability. In 2021, Texas — one of the largest natural gas producers in the country — suffered catastrophic blackouts when record-low temperatures caused gas pipelines to freeze and wells to seize up, choking off critical fuel supply just as demand for heating and electricity spiked. This cascade of failures left millions without power for days, leading to hundreds of deaths from hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and medical device failures. The crisis exposed the dangers of relying on a centralized, fossil-fuel-heavy grid in an era of increasingly extreme weather.

During the same storm, communities like Two Harbors, Minnesota, faced extreme natural gas price spikes, where prices surged from about $5 to over $200 per thousand cubic feet, leaving some residents with utility bills double or triple their usual amounts. These problems aren’t going away. Last year, rolling blackouts hit parts of the Midwest and South as coal and gas plants struggled to keep up with severe cold. If fossil fuels were the answer to grid stability, we wouldn’t see these reliability and affordability crises play out repeatedly.

Instead of doubling down on outdated energy sources, we need to modernize our grid by expanding and strengthening transmission lines, reducing congestion, and improving efficiency. A better-connected grid allows power to flow where and when it’s needed — whether it’s geothermal heat, hydro from the Northwest, or stored solar and wind energy. The key to a reliable and affordable energy future isn’t sticking to the past — it’s investing in a smarter, stronger grid.

This isn’t just theory — it’s happening now. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator recently approved a $10.3 billion transmission expansion that will improve reliability, lower costs, and integrate the next generation of power sources. Grid-enhancing technologies and advanced storage solutions are making renewables more reliable than ever.

Some argue that renewables are too expensive, but the facts tell a different story. According to the International Energy Agency, accelerating the clean energy transition could cut overall energy system operation costs by more than half over the next decade, saving governments, businesses, and households billions. Clean energy technologies — such as wind, solar, and energy-efficient appliances — are already cost-competitive over their lifetimes, while electric vehicles often lead to long-term savings despite sometimes higher upfront costs.

But unlocking these financial benefits requires strategic upfront investments, particularly in emerging economies where funding access remains limited. Meanwhile, fossil fuel subsidies reached $620 billion in 2023 alone, artificially distorting the market and making it harder for clean energy to compete. The IEA’s report emphasizes that a faster transition to renewables will stabilize energy costs, reduce reliance on volatile oil markets, and make electricity the dominant energy source by 2035 — surpassing oil for the first time in history.

The real energy challenge isn’t whether renewables “can cut it.” It’s whether we’re willing to make the smart infrastructure investments needed to ensure a more reliable, affordable, and resilient grid. Clinging to fossil fuels as the only solution ignores both the risks of volatile fuel prices and the opportunity to build a stronger, more modern energy system for all Americans.

It’s time to stop looking backward for energy security. The future is in a smarter, better-connected grid — not just more fossil fuels.

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[1] Url: https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/05/28/a-reliable-energy-future-requires-smarter-investments-not-more-fossil-fuels/

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