HARRISBURG, PA — Dave McCormick, a U.S. Senatorial Candidate, passionately discussed his vision for an energy-dominant nation at Friday’s “America’s Future Tour” roundtable. Notable participants included State Senator Ryan Aument, Pennsylvania Manufacturer’s Association President and CEO David Taylor, and others.
McCormick’s plan posed a new perspective on the link between Pennsylvania’s energy resources and the health of its economy and environment. He said, “The one thing that could unlock the potential, the future of Pennsylvania — [it’s] smart energy policy that continues to ensure that America, [through] Pennsylvania, is an energy superpower.”
The blueprint McCormick is offering Pennsylvanians and Americans alike is straightforward. The danger of climate change is both real and imminent, and while human activity forms part of the cause, it should also form part of the solution. How we react to this reality will shape our collective futures.
McCormick envisioned two main routes. One, a top-down imposition of restrictions and overall change in our energy industry, purportedly to combat climate change. The other, a ground-up unleashing of American energy production coupled with innovation.
McCormick prefers the latter. He proposed an “all-of-the-above” energy approach. His framework emphasized tapping into America’s natural resources, encouraging clean energy alternatives, reducing dependency on China, creating job opportunities, and, crucially — caring for the environment simultaneously.
Pennsylvania, renowned for its abundance of natural resources, houses the fourth-largest natural gas reserves in the world as an independent entity. McCormick ardently underlined the economic and environmental advantages of utilizing these reserves. By adopting liquified natural gas over coal, we could simultaneously fuel local economies, pare down global emissions, and provide a cheaper and reliable energy source.
However, McCormick did not limit his vision to natural gas alone. He encouraged the embracing of an energy mix, combining nuclear power alongside other clean energy alternatives. As he pointed out, a reliable and cost-efficient clean energy supply is vital to industries like artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Without such a supply, jobs could flow out of Pennsylvania.
Working with emerging technologies like carbon capture and storage, the plan also advanced the idea of America as a global leader in battery technology. It also includes leveraging our resources to position North America as an energy powerhouse, rivalling the OPEC nations.
The question arises: Can America maintain this energy security while prioritizing environmental protection? McCormick thinks we can. He cited how, over the past two decades, America has managed to reduce emissions by 16% below 2005’s levels in 2022, despite a growing population and economy.
McCormick’s vision confronts the policy of the current administration, which prioritizes mitigating climate change and reducing energy consumption. He believes that such policies have made America more dependent on foreign countries for essential minerals and components needed for clean energy technologies.
Ultimately, McCormick argues that this should not be a divisive issue. He asserts that relying on market forces, alongside American innovation and ingenuity, could turn the United States into an energy powerhouse. This could benefit the economy, create jobs, and tackle climate change — all without top-down mandates from Washington. An ambitious vision indeed, but with Pennsylvania’s vast resources and American ingenuity, it could well be a reality.
VIDEO: Dave McCormick & PA Energy Leaders from Harrisburg for an Energizing Roundtable
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.