Conservatives in my party killed clean energy: It’s time to resurrect it

ary·clean energyConservatives in my party killed clean energy: It’s time to resurrect itBy Neil Z

Auerbach is a private equity investor and the CEO & Chairman of Hudson Sustainable Group

Over the course of his 20+ years in the sustainability sector, Auerbach has led over 30 investments in 26 countries and is known for his early leadership in the financial services industry’s transition to clean energy investment.Which way will clean energy go?Getty ImagesConservatives me spent decades arguing that renewable energy strengthens American energy independence, yet those who once demanded freedom from foreign oil now bristle at grown solar and wind power

I’m a lifelong Republican who has testified before Congress three times in favor of legislation to reform clean energy incentives

Many of my fellow conservatives have sought to suffocate the U.S. renewables industry in their pursuit of energy independence despite both wind and gas turbines being mostly made in America

The industry isn’t blameless: tying itself too tightly to a left-wing climate crusade alienated many on the right

But surging electricity demand and market forces now offer the industry an opportunity for resurrection: reframe clean energy, not as eco-virtue signaling, but as a core component of U.S. competitiveness and independence

The erosion of support was the result of a miscalculation: renewable advocates aligned too closely with gressive climate , turning an industry once embraced by all into a left-wing cause, alienating conservatives along the way

MAGA activists found their bette noir, turning “green energy” into an object of scorn

Republican officials who once welcomed renewable jects in their districts now echo anti-renewable talking points

Market opportunity Dramatically rising electricity demand, driven by AI and electrification, may accomplish what hasn’t: make clean energy indispensable

Traditional sources can’t scale fast enough: new nu and coal plants take decades, and even natural gas can’t ramp up quickly enough to meet near-term demand

In contrast, wind, solar, and battery installations can be built in a fraction of the time

In short, renewables are no longer just climate virtue; they’re essential for keeping the lights on and energy bills low

Conservative reframe To win back conservatives, renewable advocates must recast their message around freedom, security, and free enterprise — values that clean energy can champion

Freedom: Conservatives prize personal liberty, which should include the freedom to generate your own power — a right already exercised by ordinary owners, not just elites

Security: Domestic renewable energy is a fortress against foreign threats: solar panels generate power for decades, with only clouds and nightfall to worry

Wind turbines can run for 25 years, and their components are largely U.S.-made

Once installed, no adversary can shut off the supply of sun or wind

Policies that block renewables aren’t “-market” — if wind and solar are cheaper, let them compete

Far from being a Trojan horse for big government, clean energy exemplifies free enterprise at its best

This looming deadline has triggered a blitz of development, compressing years of growth into a s

Losing subsidies will hurt, but it’s also an opportunity for the industry to ve itself by slashing costs and innovating to compete

Each utility rate hike only makes solar panels and batteries more appealing

If suppliers seize this moment to scale up and drive costs down, they can thrive on merit rather than mandates

Conclusion America’s energy future shouldn’t be a partisan battlefield

Our sperity and security depend on abundant, affordable power from every source, including clean energy

Clean energy isn’t a gressive scam — it’s just plain energy, and it happens to align with conservative values

Let’s end the energy culture war and let free fuel the next era of growth so that America wins

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