OPINION:
Colorado’s 8th District is an incredible example of what an “all-of-the-above” energy approach can look like. From wind and solar to oil and natural gas, our district proves that every form of energy production has an important role to play in strengthening our economy while protecting our environment. While traditional energy sources have powered our nation for generations, clean energy has quickly risen as a reliable and innovative partner in the mix. Whether it’s solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal or biomass, these technologies are helping to lower emissions, drive down costs, and expand America’s energy options all while making the cleanest and most environmentally and socially responsible power anywhere on the planet.
But here’s the reality: innovation alone isn’t enough to meet our nation’s growing energy demand. For these resources to truly meet their potential, we must make them more accessible for American families and businesses to drive down costs and get more electrons on the grid. Clean energy tax credits are a critical component of this national strategy.
These credits have helped fuel Colorado’s economy, creating new jobs, supporting small businesses and large companies alike, and attracting billions of dollars in private sector investment. They give families and businesses more choices, whether that be lowering their power bills or upgrading to better energy systems. Most importantly, they strengthen our nation’s energy independence by ensuring we are not reliant on foreign adversaries like China, Russia, or Iran to meet our needs. Energy security is national security and now, more than ever, we need to invest in both traditional energy sources and innovative energy technologies for a more resilient, secure America.
We must have the infrastructure to support the next generation of energy technologies like geothermal and advanced storage. Transmission lines, pipelines, and modernized grids are all part of the equation. If we want affordable, reliable, and secure energy, we need the ability to move it where it is needed most. That’s why I alongside 20 other Republican members of Congress pushed for a sensible approach to the clean energy tax credits in the Working Families Tax Credit bill, which was signed into law in July.
Still, one of the biggest obstacles to fully realizing our energy potential is a broken permitting system. Even with the right incentives in place, projects are too often delayed for years or even canceled outright because of recurrent litigation and outdated, overly complicated federal and state permitting processes. When American companies are ready to break ground and deliver results, it makes no sense for Washington bureaucracy and red tape to hold them back.
That’s what I’m determined to fix. I serve as a co-leader of the Permitting, Energy, and Environment Working Group under the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. In this role, I am working with colleagues across the aisle to modernize our permitting system while keeping local voices and commonsense environmental safeguards in place. We are focused on cutting unnecessary delays, speeding up approvals for critical infrastructure projects, and ensuring America can compete on the global stage.
As a veteran and former police officer, I know that operational readiness requires practical solutions. Energy independence is no different. If we cannot build the infrastructure needed to produce, move and deliver affordable energy here at home, we put our economy and our national security at risk.
Colorado’s 8th District has proven that an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy works. From farmers and ranchers who depend on affordable energy to power their operations, to manufacturers bringing business to our communities, to families simply trying to make ends meet energy drives it all. With the right reforms, we can continue to grow local jobs, attract new investment, and ensure Colorado District 8 and our nation remain leaders in energy innovation across the board.
We can power America’s future if we give our communities the tools, incentives, and flexibility to lead. That is what I’ll continue fighting for in Congress.
• Rep. Gabe Evans is proudly serving Colorado’s Eighth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to public office, Gabe served his country in the U.S. Army as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot, as an Arvada police officer, and in the Colorado State Legislature. Gabe and his wife, Anne, own and operate a family farm in southern Weld County where they raise their two boys.
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