A series of powerful storms recently swept through sprawling cities and Caribbean villages, destroying many structures in their path. During and after the hurricanes, damages to infrastructure were catastrophic, with millions of people expected to be in the dark for weeks.
With mass power outages across the southeast, the U.S. government and the American people acknowledge a need to do more to secure America’s energy grid. One way to address potential supply challenges is to utilize a mix of different fuels, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewables. Diversity in the energy market minimizes disruptions when any one fuel source is challenged.
In fact, recent polling by Morning Consult for the National Mining Association shows that 85 percent of American voters agree that the U.S. should act to protect the diversity of its energy grid to minimize potential impacts from natural disasters like hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
And we are in a unique position to do so.
The U.S. is home to a wealth of natural resources that can keep the electric grid up and running even during the most trying times. America is home to enviable coal reserves that can provide affordable, reliable electricity and power households and businesses for hundreds of years to come. Our country is also home to an estimated $6.2 trillion worth of minerals like copper, silver, molybdenum, zinc and iron — just to name a few – that comprise the solar panels and wind turbines that make renewable energy possible. In addition, nuclear power wouldn’t be possible without the help of the estimated 60 million pounds of uranium reserves found right here at home.