Dear Peter,

          Thank you for contacting me about America’s energy policy. As a former Navy pilot, combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut, it is an honor to continue my service to our country representing Arizona in the United States Senate, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on the issues facing our state and our country. Hearing from Arizonans helps me better serve our state, and I hope you will continue to share your perspective and suggestions.

          Our country’s continued economic growth depends on the availability of affordable and reliable energy. Over the past decade, the United States has become less reliant on foreign oil while embracing renewable sources of energy including solar and wind for electricity generation. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the United States is now a net exporter of energy for the first time since the 1950s. At the same time, technologies such as LED lights and smart appliances have greatly improved energy efficiency in our buildings and homes. These trends have been essential to promoting American energy independence and security, and are a great opportunity for Arizona to create good paying jobs by becoming a leader in manufacturing and deploying the renewable energy technologies of the future.

          Today, energy policy in the United States is rapidly evolving in response to climate change. Most Americans support shifting to more renewable economy. This shift is occurring in part due to market forces. Renewable energy is now cheaper than coal, and consumers are increasingly buying hybrid and electric vehicles. Cleaner burning natural gas is helping to decommission coal plants; however, more must be done to prevent methane leakage in pipelines and storage facilities. Arizona, a state with high solar potential, has been a leader in this effort, and I support incentives to build utility-scale solar plants and promote rooftop solar for homeowners that will create more good-paying jobs in our state.  

          I am committed to finding commonsense, bipartisan solutions to keep energy prices low while ensuring that we continue to responsibly transition our electrical and transportation sectors to a more sustainable and renewable path. We must also expand opportunities for job creation and training in communities where coal plants are closing. In my first weeks in the United States Senate, I was proud to cosponsor the Solar Energy Research and Development Act, which reauthorizes a number of federal solar energy research and development programs. I also worked on and voted to pass the Energy Infrastructure Act, which makes historic investments in the reliability of our electrical grid, energy conservation, high capacity battery storage, methane reduction, hydrogen fuel production, and carbon capture initiatives. As Arizona’s senator, I will work with my colleagues in the United States Senate, both Republicans and Democrats, to grow jobs and support U.S. energy security.

          Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue, and I hope you will continue to contact my office with any future comments or questions. I’m committed to being transparent and accountable with all Arizonans, which is why I release my official Senate schedule at kelly.senate.gov. There you can sign up for my newsletter, receive assistance with a federal agency and learn more about my work as Arizona’s senator.

Sincerely,

Mark Kelly
United States Senator