Salt Lake City, UT, USA
On May 14, 2025, a coalition of Republican governors gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah, to announce their support for a new initiative aimed at achieving national energy independence by rejecting President Joe Biden’s renewable energy mandates. The proposal, known as the “Energy Security and American Independence Act,” seeks to roll back federal mandates on renewable energy sources like wind and solar, instead focusing on an energy policy that includes a broader mix of energy sources, including fossil fuels, nuclear power, and advanced energy technologies.
Governor Spencer Cox of Utah, who hosted the announcement, was joined by Governors Ron DeSantis (FL), Kristi Noem (SD), and Greg Abbott (TX). The governors voiced strong opposition to Biden’s administration’s push for rapid decarbonization, arguing that the transition to renewable energy must be gradual and balanced to ensure affordable, reliable, and secure energy for all Americans.
“This is about keeping energy prices low for American families and ensuring that we don’t jeopardize our energy security by moving too quickly on unreliable, unproven renewable technologies,” Governor Cox said during the press conference. “We must not sacrifice jobs, economic stability, or our energy independence in the name of an unrealistic, government-mandated green energy agenda.”
Biden’s renewable energy mandates are part of his broader climate change plan, which includes policies aimed at reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. As part of his agenda, Biden has called for significant investments in solar, wind, and electric vehicle technologies, as well as new regulations on carbon emissions from power plants. However, Republicans argue that these policies are economically harmful and will result in higher energy costs for families, job losses in energy-intensive industries, and greater reliance on foreign energy sources.
The GOP’s initiative emphasizes the need to preserve jobs in the oil, natural gas, and coal industries while still pursuing clean energy technologies that make sense for the country’s energy grid and infrastructure. The proposal advocates for expanding energy exploration, improving nuclear power infrastructure, and advancing energy storage technologies.
Industry groups like the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have expressed support for the proposal, arguing that a balanced energy policy is necessary for both environmental sustainability and economic growth. API President Mike Sommers warned that Biden’s policies could lead to higher energy prices, hurting American consumers and driving energy-intensive industries overseas.
“We need a sensible energy policy that promotes energy security and keeps energy prices affordable for families and businesses,” said Sommers.
However, the Biden administration and environmental organizations have criticized the GOP initiative, arguing that it will slow down the U.S. transition to a clean energy future. The Sierra Club and other environmental groups have warned that rejecting renewable energy mandates will hinder efforts to combat climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy.
“This proposal is a step backward for the environment and a roadblock to progress on climate change,” said a Sierra Club spokesperson. “We cannot afford to delay our transition to renewable energy any longer.”
As the GOP pushes forward with this initiative, energy policy will remain a key point of debate heading into the 2025 election cycle, with both sides vying to shape the nation’s energy future in the face of climate change and economic challenges.
