In this modern day and age we have come across many different kinds of technology, the development of AI, satellite systems never before thought of, and more recently on the table of discussion, the matter of how we power that technology. For those of you who have been keeping up with county news of policies and practices that have been supported and dismissed, you know full well that Harvey County recently agreed to a moratorium on renewable energy builds in the commercial district of Harvey County. This decision does not come easily, and in a world where renewable energy is the path of the future, we must for ourselves decide what We have to do for our children and the generations from then on. Join me in looking at where renewable energy puts us in the future.
You might have seen a couple of things on the news recently about how the world is gradually shifting to clean renewable energies. And that the tipping point of renewable energy development has been reached. That statement is true in many ways. In fact, projection charts already show that solar energy will be the energy of the future, and it’s not even close. Global demands for oil, natural gas, and coal are expected to peak by the end of this decade. Overall, this is great news. It may not be great news for oil and gas workplace environments, but, it is good news for all of us who enjoy breathing clean air and not living in sweltering summers. So what does this mean for our small towns and populations in rural Kansas? As stated in the opening paragraph, Harvey County has some words.
Not only that, but after heated debates in October meetings county commissioners approved modified regulations for a wind project and continued on to implement a moratorium on commercial wind energy projects after intense objections by county civilians. Basically, they halted all progress on implementing these projects and suspended the decision to a later date. Not only that, but they also suspended the commercial development of solar panels with one of the concerns being the potential harm to the agricultural industry.
To be honest, I think it’s fair to say that people don’t like change. Especially, in rural Kansas, I mean really, let’s own up to it. I know I don’t like change. Being brought up on a farm in the middle of a drought-ridden prairie taught me that change is the enemy of farming progress and harvest. Why would we like it? But in many cases, change can bring good things. I mean, just look at the crazy massive 9700 combines they have nowadays, and who knows what else. Developments are made to help us do things more efficiently and expediently. Renewable energies could be the bringer of both, so long as we’re willing to allow the change to happen.
The world is changing and developing in new ways each and every day. Years of experience will tell us that Kansas may be one of the last places to change with the rest of the world. Additionally, I think it’s important to remember that the policymakers of Kansas really don’t like change either. They’ll make sure to do right by us, if Harvey County has shown us anything in this past week, it’s that policymakers do listen to their constituents. The concerns expressed and heard are one of the greatest strengths of our democracy. I for one, have hope that the two can work together in order to find the best way for everyone to navigate a future of clean and sustainable energy production.
