7. AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

I run a $145 billion U.S. energy company. Investing in infrastructure and putting America first shouldn’t divide us – Fortune

I run a 5 billion U.S. energy company. Investing in infrastructure and putting America first shouldn’t divide us – Fortune
Written by ZJbTFBGJ2T

I run a $145 billion U.S. energy company. Investing in infrastructure and putting America first shouldn’t divide us  Fortune

I run a 5 billion U.S. energy company. Investing in infrastructure and putting America first shouldn’t divide us – Fortune

Report on America’s Energy Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: America’s Legacy of Innovation and Current Challenges

America has historically demonstrated resilience and innovation, from pioneering the first successful airplane flight to landing a man on the moon. Today, the nation faces new challenges that are critical to sustaining its global leadership, including winning the global artificial intelligence (AI) race and revitalizing American manufacturing. These ambitions require a substantial increase in electricity generation, surpassing current capacities and demanding unprecedented infrastructure development since World War II.

Energy Generation Goals and Sustainable Development

To maintain global dominance, the United States must build 450 gigawatts of new electricity generation capacity within the next five years. This scale is equivalent to powering 75 Miami metropolitan areas or 11 states the size of Florida. For context, only about 40 gigawatts of new natural gas and nuclear capacity have been added in the past five years.

This ambitious goal aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

  1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Expanding energy generation capacity with a focus on clean and sustainable sources.
  2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Building resilient infrastructure to support economic growth and technological advancement.
  3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Creating American jobs through infrastructure projects and energy sector expansion.

Clean Energy Tax Credits and Policy Considerations

The debate surrounding clean energy tax credits extends beyond renewable energy to encompass all scalable power generation forms. These credits are vital to ensuring the U.S. can meet its energy demands while supporting economic and national security objectives.

  • NextEra Energy, a leading American energy company, operates across multiple energy sectors including renewables, natural gas, and nuclear power.
  • The company advocates for a balanced approach to energy policy that supports all forms of energy generation to maintain a reliable and affordable power supply.
  • Immediate elimination or restrictive changes to clean energy tax credits could halt new power plant development through the end of the decade, given the long lead times for nuclear and traditional plants and the current supply constraints on turbines.

This approach supports:

  • SDG 7: Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
  • SDG 13: Climate Action – Facilitating a transition to low-carbon energy sources while maintaining energy security.

Bridging Energy Needs with Renewables and Storage

In the short term, wind, solar, and battery storage technologies serve as critical bridges to meet America’s energy needs while traditional power plant supply chains and workforces are expanded. This strategy supports sustainable energy transition goals and mitigates risks associated with supply shortages.

Legislative Developments and Economic Impacts

Recent legislative drafts, such as the Senate Finance Committee’s bill, propose pragmatic phasing out of clean energy tax credits. This measured approach acknowledges existing contracts and capital investments, providing a runway to complete projects and maintain grid stability.

Key points include:

  • Over $1 trillion in U.S. energy infrastructure investments are at risk if credits are abruptly removed.
  • Credits directly benefit American homeowners and businesses by lowering energy costs.
  • Renewable and storage projects contribute significant tax revenues to rural communities, funding essential services such as police, schools, and roads.

This legislative approach aligns with:

  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Supporting infrastructure that enhances community resilience and services.
  • SDG 1: No Poverty – By reducing energy costs and supporting economic growth.

Conclusion: A Call for Unified Action

Investing in American energy infrastructure is a non-partisan issue critical to the nation’s power supply, economy, and security. Collaboration and compromise are essential to harness this unique opportunity to build a sustainable, resilient energy future that supports the Sustainable Development Goals.

John Ketchum, Chairman and CEO of NextEra Energy, emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive energy strategy that leverages all available resources to meet America’s needs and secure its leadership in innovation and sustainability.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The article focuses heavily on the need to increase electricity generation capacity, including renewable energy sources like wind and solar, as well as natural gas and nuclear power.
  2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article discusses fueling an American manufacturing renaissance and creating American jobs through energy infrastructure investments.
  3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The article emphasizes the Herculean efforts required to build energy infrastructure and maintain American dominance in technology and manufacturing.
  4. SDG 13: Climate Action – The debate over clean energy tax credits and the transition to renewable energy sources relates to climate action goals.
  5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article mentions the impact of energy projects on communities, including tax revenues for essential services.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  1. SDG 7 Targets:
    • 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
    • 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
    • 7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology.
  2. SDG 8 Targets:
    • 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.
    • 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.
  3. SDG 9 Targets:
    • 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
    • 9.5: Enhance scientific research and upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors.
  4. SDG 13 Targets:
    • 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
  5. SDG 11 Targets:
    • 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  1. Electricity Generation Capacity (GW) – The article mentions the need to build 450 gigawatts of generation capacity over five years, which relates to measuring progress in increasing energy access and renewable energy share (SDG 7.1 and 7.2).
  2. Investment in Energy Infrastructure ($ Trillions) – Reference to over $1 trillion of energy infrastructure investments at risk indicates a measurable economic input towards infrastructure development (SDG 9.1 and 8.2).
  3. Job Creation Numbers – The article implies job creation through manufacturing renaissance and energy projects, which can be tracked under SDG 8.5.
  4. Energy Cost to Consumers – Mention of lower energy costs flowing to homeowners and businesses can be an indicator of affordable energy access (SDG 7.1).
  5. Tax Revenue from Renewable Projects – The injection of tax revenue into rural communities for essential services can be an indicator of sustainable community development (SDG 11.6).
  6. Deployment of Renewable Energy Technologies – The scale of wind, solar, and battery storage projects serving as a bridge to traditional power plants can be an indicator of renewable energy adoption (SDG 7.2).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
  • 7.1: Universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
  • 7.2: Increase share of renewable energy
  • 7.a: Enhance cooperation on clean energy technology
  • Electricity generation capacity (GW)
  • Deployment scale of wind, solar, and battery storage
  • Energy cost to consumers
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • 8.2: Higher economic productivity through innovation
  • 8.5: Full and productive employment
  • Job creation numbers in manufacturing and energy sectors
  • Investment in energy infrastructure ($ Trillions)
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • 9.1: Develop sustainable infrastructure
  • 9.5: Upgrade technological capabilities
  • Investment in energy infrastructure ($ Trillions)
  • Scale of new power plants built
SDG 13: Climate Action
  • 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies
  • Adoption rate of clean energy tax credits and renewable projects
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • 11.6: Reduce environmental impact of cities
  • Tax revenue from renewable energy projects used for community services

Source: fortune.com

 

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