President Donald Trump’s Tuesday speech in Iowa made one thing abundantly clear: it is urgent that we get American energy policy right.
The American way of life has always depended on abundant, affordable energy. When energy is accessible at fair prices with minimal overhead, businesses and families thrive—and America can compete globally.
Trump’s policies on trade, taxes, and deregulation are setting the stage for an AI and robotics-fueled manufacturing boom. But that boom won’t happen without reliable, affordable energy to meet the rapidly increasing demand.
History tells us that energy scarcity is the biggest threat to the American economy. Americans understand this instinctively. A recent poll from America’s New Majority Project, an initiative of Gingrich 360, revealed that 74 percent of Americans understand that electricity demand is rising, 95 percent say it is important to update the country’s electrical grid, and 71 percent support building more power plants. These numbers represent massive majorities of Americans. In our deeply divided political environment, this level of consensus is remarkable.
However, that consensus begins to fracture when Americans are asked to choose between reliability and renewable energy. When framed as a trade-off, opinion splits nearly evenly. This division is predictable—and avoidable.
Given the enormity of our future energy needs, policymakers should not force Americans to make an unnecessary choice.
A balanced system incorporating renewables and storage alongside fuel-based sources of power ensures both affordability and reliability. We need more of everything. Intentionally excluding vital energy sources, fuel-based or renewable, reduces supply and drives up prices. This harms families and businesses. This is not abstract economic theory. It is common sense.
Natural gas is our single largest source of electricity production (43 percent of total generation). It maintains strong popular support at 64 percent. America’s abundant reserves make its expansion vital—and a no-brainer.
Solar and wind power are popular, with 80 percent and 74 percent respectively backing local construction. In the right areas, they make a ton of sense. Further, these technologies grow cheaper and more reliable every year. They have their place in a comprehensive energy-abundance strategy—but they can’t work alone.
Nuclear power offers great potential. Overall support for local nuclear development sits at 46 percent, but advances in plant design are changing the equation. Small Modular Reactors bring nuclear into the 21st century. These aren’t your grandfather’s nuclear plants — they’re smaller, safer, and can be built in phases without massive upfront costs. For those serious about cutting carbon emissions, SMRs could be transformative. When poll respondents received information about SMRs, support for local development jumped to 60 percent.
Americans also support grid infrastructure expansion—but with limits. Despite low awareness of current projects, 60 percent support building more transmission lines nationally, and 53 percent back development of transmission lines and substations in their areas. Yet when asked about government power to require land sales for infrastructure, support drops to 40 percent while opposition reaches 47 percent. Americans want energy infrastructure expansion done right — through innovation and voluntary partnerships, not coercion.
It is clear: American energy policy must not pick winners and losers. The recent reforms in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ended antiquated tax credits that distorted markets and disrupted competition. Restoring market discipline means enabling vigorous competition among solar, wind, coal, natural gas, and nuclear. When government no longer tilts the balance, innovation accelerates and affordable power reaches those who need it most.
Georgia offers a model. The governor brought together stakeholders around one goal: keep energy affordable and reliable, regardless of source. This pragmatic approach should go nationwide.
America’s energy future demands a bold, diversified plan emphasizing natural gas, clean fuel technologies, nuclear, and renewables. Diversification reduces supply disruptions and ensures economic stability. Modern grid technology improves reliability and affordability. Securing abundant energy is vital for economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
The choice is simple: embrace all available energy sources or fall behind. America has never succeeded by limiting itself. We should not start now.
Newt Gingrich was Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995-1999 and a candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. He is chairman of Gingrich 360.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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