James May-June 2023 web - Flipbook - Page 57
n a remote area near Waynesboro,
Plant Vogtle Unit 3 recently began
generating power and is connected to
the grid. Within a year Unit 4 will be
online. These reactors represent America’s first new nuclear construction projects in over three decades. They are also
key elements of Georgia’s comprehensive
strategy for economic development, expanded manufacturing capacity and energy security.
This purposeful, focused strategy distinguishes
Georgia from other states where economic, energy
and climate policies chart different directions. But
back to that later.
First, let’s remember that upon assuming office
President Joe Biden issued an executive order putting
the climate crisis at the center of U.S. foreign policy
and national security. This evolved into a what the administration now characterizes as a modern industrial
strategy for transitioning the U.S. and the world to a
zero-carbon economy—the greatest economic transformation since the Industrial Revolution.
This is unprecedented and potentially risky for the
world’s largest, most important economy and greatest military power— especially at a time when it is
confronted with daunting global challenges. China is
asserting itself as an economic and military competitor to the U.S. and working to displace it from its position of global leadership. Military confrontation with
China vis-a-vis Taiwan looms over East Asia. Europe
is involved in another land war. Nuclear threats from
North Korea and Iran continue.
Energy security is a global issue that other countries are leveraging for strategic advantage. China is
forging long-term oil and natural gas partnerships
with authoritarian states. China and Russia are dominating civilian nuclear construction, displacing the
U.S. as a technological leader.
As Washington proposes to reorder the U.S. economy around decarbonization, America’s geopolitical
rivals are doubling down on their use of carbon-based
fuels. Climate change is not at the center of their
foreign policy or national security, nor is it in their
energy strategy calculus. Geopolitical advantage over
America is.
To be clear, climate change is a concern and global
CO2 emissions are projected to increase for the foreseeable future. Most of this will come from China, India and other countries developing their economies on
fossil fuels. This said, unilateral decarbonization isn’t
the appropriate climate action for the U.S. or Georgia.
Climate change will not stop at our borders because we have decarbonized our economy. Moreover,
we don’t know if America can remain the dominant
global superpower with a decarbonized economy and
industrial base. Our response should be patient and
balanced within the broader consideration of global
geopolitical realities.
Several U.S. states are embracing the modern
industrial strategy with policies to reorganize their
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