How Renewable Energy May Unify Political Parties

In the United States, many issues divide along party lines. Few issues unite the two political parties. Historically, the process of replacing non-renewable energy with renewable energy sources has been added to the long list of divisive party issues. But as business models for renewable energy become more innovative and cost effective, the issue of clean energy could become with the potential of unifying political parties.

Right now Republican states Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and North Dakota are among the top 11 states with the most installed wind capacity.¹ Both Republican and Democratic States are looking for ways to replace carbon based harmful energy sources for renewable energy sources.

In the past, blue states have been more involved in the quest for clean energy. Ideology seems to be what pushes red states away from the issue. Republican states tend to appose Federal mandates for renewable energy, but they are not necessarily against the growth of sustainable energy sources in their state. 

“As the economics get better, as the business models prove themselves, as renewable energy industries become stronger and stronger in every state, I just think the politics have to follow that.”²

Aliya Haq, Special Projects Director of the Climate and Clean Air Program of NRDC, discusses how innovative business strategies that enhance the cost effective nature of renewable energy forces could be the solution to uniting red and blue states, getting both parties to pursue profitable solar energy business models.

In the past, 528 million federal dollars were given to a solar panel company, Solyndra. Since then the company has gone bankrupt.³ It is apparent that “kinks” are still being worked out; in the words of Aliya Haq, business models will have to “prove themselves” in order for the politics follow.

Something such as Elon Musk’s proposed business venture to merge his brand, Tesla, with the solar-energy company, SolarCity, is just the sort of innovative strategy Haq is talking about. Although the proposal is controversial, the Tesla Motor-SolarCity business mold could have the ability to provide an economic model appeals to both parties. Read more about the potential merge here.

The drive for renewable energy seems to be an issue that is rising above political divides. The economy awaits the emergence of mores innovative clean-energy business models.

References

1, 2.	↑	http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/07/are-the-winds-changing-for-renewable-energy/490250/
3.	↑	https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/renewable-energy-industry-and-politics/gIQAxv3OhL_topic.html