Renewable energy and our rising energy bills: unpacking the truth

Many people have been feeling the significant impact of rising energy costs, and it’s crucial to identify the true causes behind these spikes. Recent harsh weather has played a significant factor in the bills people received the past few months, but energy prices have been trending upward. Unfortunately, a common misconception is that renewable energy is to blame for increasing prices. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, renewable energy lowers energy costs while protecting our environment.

Let’s start by addressing the role renewable energy plays for our region. Renewable energy sources, energy storage and other technologies are not only becoming cheaper to install and maintain compared to traditional energy sources but, when working together, they can also provide energy that doesn't fluctuate in cost like fossil fuels. By diversifying our energy sources and investing in these solutions, we can reduce our dependence on volatile gas markets. Renewables have also come through during extreme weather where gas plants have failed to operate, risking grid reliability. When done right, adding more clean technologies to our regional grid can actually help lower energy prices. If we can build and connect clean energy and increase access to energy efficiency here in Delaware, we could make an even larger impact on our overall energy costs for Delawareans. 

The most significant issues we face regarding rising energy costs aren't the renewable energy sources or clean energy goals put forward by Delaware. The biggest issue is the obstacles we encounter in connecting new energy to our local and regional grids. In fact, if all the clean energy and storage waiting to be connected to the grid was built and connected, many of our energy problems would be greatly reduced.

Local opposition to clean energy plays a significant role in this equation. Oftentimes, communities resist clean energy projects because of concerns over their impact on viewsheds or local wildlife. While we need to ensure all energy is developed responsibly, anti-clean energy interests often exaggerate these concerns in an effort to rile people up so they can stop the development of clean energy projects that are crucial for our future. 

There’s also complexity surrounding PJM, the organization responsible for managing the electric grid for our region. PJM has refused to update its interconnection process for years – this is the system that allows any new energy sources to connect to the electrical grid. For multiple years, it has been rated as the worst grid operator in the nation when it comes to getting resources online in a timely fashion, especially renewables and storage. This mismanagement becomes a significant roadblock, ultimately raising energy costs for consumers and stalling our clean energy transition.

We need to advocate for reforms that simplify the process of siting and connecting clean energy resources to the local and regional grid. Local communities must be engaged in the conversation about new energy projects, and their voices should be heard. However, we also need more streamlined processes that allow these projects to be developed without extensive delays due to politically motivated actions or opposition that goes far beyond reasonable concerns.

Moreover, it’s essential to hold PJM accountable for its role in this energy crisis. We should be demanding that PJM improve its processes to ensure that clean energy projects can come online quickly and efficiently. Holding them accountable means demanding transparency in how they operate and ensuring they prioritize integrating renewable energy into the grid. It also means that we need to keep working with other states to demand that PJM actually implements the reforms that customers, states and federal regulators have been demanding.

The rising costs of energy people are facing are real, and we need both support now and leaders who will tackle the underlying issues. State policies around shifting to renewables and promoting energy efficiency are not the problem. In fact, they are part of the solution. 

Our problems are being fueled by systemic issues – like well-funded local opposition fueled by out-of-state interests and PJM’s mismanagement – rather than our shift to renewable energy sources. By helping support responsible clean energy projects, expanding access to energy efficiency for all Delawareans, reforming interconnection processes, and holding PJM accountable, we can tackle head-on the real culprits behind high energy costs. 

Embracing renewable energy holds the key to not only reducing our energy bills but also creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for us all. By working together, we can make these necessary changes and pave the way for a brighter, greener tomorrow.