Conservatives should lead on renewable energy, not fight it

I am a proud American. I am a lifelong conservative. I am a Reagan Republican. As a former Republican county commissioner, I have spent years working at the local level where policies are not theoretical. They affect real people, real farms, and real communities.

That is exactly why I support renewable energy development in Ohio.

You would not know that from the current messaging coming out of Washington or even our own Statehouse. Increasingly, the narrative suggests conservatives should oppose renewable development. That position is not only misguided, it contradicts core conservative principles.

Let’s start with national security.

A strong, resilient, and diversified energy grid is not a luxury. It is a necessity. When we rely too heavily on a narrow set of generation sources, we create vulnerabilities. Adding renewable generation strengthens the grid, improves reliability, and reduces exposure to supply disruptions. That is not partisan. It is common sense.

Ohio is also facing a growing energy deficit.

Demand is increasing rapidly. Data centers, advanced manufacturing, and economic expansion are driving unprecedented electricity needs. PJM has already raised concerns about long-term capacity and the ability to meet future demand. Doing nothing is not neutral. It means tighter supply and higher risk.

The question is not whether we need more generation. The question is where it will come from. If we block development here, that investment does not disappear. It moves to Indiana, Michigan, or Pennsylvania. Ohio loses while our neighbors win.

That should concern every conservative who believes in economic competitiveness.

Energy costs are another concern. Affordable energy is essential for families and businesses. Increasing supply helps keep prices stable. Restricting development does the opposite. It tightens supply and puts upward pressure on costs.

Then there is the issue of jobs and investment.

Renewable energy projects bring high-paying construction jobs, long-term maintenance positions, and significant local investment. These benefits show up in paychecks, local spending, and stronger rural economies.

For agricultural communities, the impact is even more direct.

Lease payments from wind and solar projects provide a steady source of income for landowners. At a time when many farmers face tight margins, that income can mean keeping the family farm instead of selling it. Conservatives have always stood with agriculture. This is one more way to do that.

Local governments benefit as well.

Renewable projects generate new tax revenue without placing additional burdens on residents. That revenue supports schools, infrastructure, and essential services.

This support has a positive effect on the quality of life.

And that brings us to what should be the most important issue for conservatives: private property rights.

If a landowner wants to use their property for energy development, that decision should belong to them. Government should not be in the business of telling people what they can and cannot do with their land when it is lawful and responsible.

We cannot claim to defend property rights while restricting them.

There is also a fundamental conservative principle at stake.

Conservatives believe in markets, competition, and expanding opportunity. We do not pick winners and losers. We do not ban industries because they do not fit a preferred narrative. We allow innovation, investment, and property owners to drive growth.

Renewable energy fits squarely within that framework. It is private investment, voluntary participation, and market-driven development. Opposing it is not conservative. It is government choosing limits over opportunity.

Finally, there is a contradiction in our own ranks that needs to be addressed.

At the national level, conservative leaders talk about energy independence, economic growth, and common-sense policy. Our conservative legislators in the Statehouse talk about grid reliability and energy cost protection. But too often, those same voices dismiss or oppose renewable energy as part of the solution.

You cannot call for more domestic energy while taking entire sources of generation off the table.

If we are serious about strengthening our economy and securing our energy future, we should be using every tool available, not limiting ourselves based on outdated assumptions or political talking points.

Conservatives should not be afraid of renewable energy. We should be leading on it.

Mr. Zartman is director of programs and operations at the Ohio Conservative Energy Forum and served 12 years as a Paulding County commissioner. He lives in Payne, Ohio.