Local opinion: Real independence depends on clean energy

This Independence Day, we’ll hear a lot about patriotism and American strength abroad. But to me, as a retired Marine, real independence also means protecting our people here at home — not leaving working families vulnerable to rising energy costs, foreign oil markets and preventable crises. Right now, veterans and families across Arizona are facing skyrocketing utility bills. And if conflict in the Middle East escalates, gas prices could spike again. The last thing we need is another hit to household budgets.

Instead of protecting Americans from these threats, Republicans in Congress are making them worse. Donald Trump and his allies in D.C. have passed a federal budget ending clean energy tax credits that help families and businesses save money on solar, heat pumps, EVs, and more — ultimately driving up energy costs. That means higher bills at home and more pain at the pump, at a time when Arizona households are already stretched thin.

As a veteran who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, I’ve seen how energy dependence shapes our foreign policy, our national security, and the risks to our troops. And as a mother raising my son in rural Arizona, I know what it’s like to watch costs rise while politicians posture instead of deliver.

Let’s be clear: What Trump and Republicans have done isn’t about energy independence. It’s about deepening our dependence — on hostile foreign governments, volatile oil markets, and a system that keeps families and local businesses exposed to price gouging and grid failures. Republicans talk about freedom, but their policies tie us to fossil fuel instability while handing out tax breaks to billionaires.

Clean energy is the way out. It’s reliable. It’s affordable. And it’s American-made.

Thanks to clean energy investments, Arizona has brought in more than $13 billion and created 13,000-plus new jobs since 2022. Every solar panel installed, every battery storage site built, and every EV on the road makes us more secure. It means more savings, stable bills, more local jobs, and a stronger economy.

Clean energy like solar, wind, battery storage, and EVs also plays a role in operational safety. Arizona hosts several major military facilities. Reducing fossil fuel reliance helps those bases function securely and efficiently, while increasing self-sufficiency and reducing the need for risky fuel transport.

Instead of building on this momentum, Republicans in Congress are reversing it. They’re doing the oil industry’s bidding while claiming to support American strength. But the reality is that their plan will raise household electricity bills by up to $400 a year and gas prices by at least 25 cents per gallon. Here in Arizona, utilities like Arizona Public Service (APS) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) are already proposing 14% rate hikes — driven partly by outdated energy policy and rising fossil fuel costs. Families are getting hit from both sides: state-level rate increases and federal cuts to clean energy support.

Trump recently said himself that raising gas prices was aiding the enemy. Maybe he should read the bill his own party has passed.

Meanwhile, the climate crisis is accelerating. In Arizona, we’re seeing more intense heat waves, longer droughts, and more destructive wildfires. These aren’t abstract concerns — they’re national security threats. Extreme weather strains our grid, increases blackout risk, and exposes vulnerabilities adversaries could exploit. Our infrastructure and emergency systems are being pushed to the brink.

Clean energy isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. It protects our economy, our military readiness, and our health. It reduces our exposure to global conflict and keeps the power on when families need it most.

This Independence Day, let’s move past slogans and act like energy freedom actually matters. Because freedom means being able to pay your bills. It means jobs that stay in your community. It means resilience when disaster strikes — and clean air to breathe while you rebuild.

If we want real independence, we have to build it. And that means clean energy — built right here, by American workers, for the people who need it most.