Years ago, Western Europe, as well as the Biden administration, chose one side of a fork in the road, which has deprived consumers of choice, according to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

The energy transition policies imposed by the UK government and the European Union (EU) institutions have reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but Europe accounts for only 8% of global emissions. Despite this, the EU’s climate policies have created a perfect storm that is depriving citizens of reliable and affordable energy, according to Wright.

1. Reduced energy choice: The top-down imposition of mandates for the energy system has reduced energy choice for consumers and businesses.
2. Increased energy costs: The EU’s climate policies have led to increased energy costs, making energy less affordable for households and businesses.
3. Deindustrialization: The EU’s focus on renewable energy has led to deindustrialization, as countries have invested heavily in solar and wind power at the expense of other energy sources.

The “top-down imposition of enforced ‘climate policies’ is justified as necessary to save the world from climate change,” Wright said. However, he argued that climate alarmism has reduced energy freedom, and hence, prosperity and national security across Western Europe.

“The previous U.S. administration worked hard to move the United States onto that same fork. The fork with mandated, top-down, expensive, unreliable energy that would drive de-industrialization of America,” Wright noted.

Wright reiterated that climate change is a real physical phenomenon, but climate change is not even close to being the world’s most urgent problem. He argued that energy access is far too important to get wrong.

1. Energy affordability: Energy affordability is a major challenge for many households and businesses.
2. Energy reliability: Energy reliability is also a major concern, as many countries rely on imported energy sources.
3. Energy security: Energy security is a critical issue, as countries need to ensure a stable and reliable energy supply.

In many energy-consuming economies, energy affordability and reliability have taken precedence over sustainability since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Major emerging economies such as China and India continue to rely on coal for power generation, despite China being the undisputed leader in renewable energy installations, too.

1. China and India’s reliance on coal: Both countries continue to rely on coal for power generation, despite their efforts to transition to renewable energy.
2. Coal-fired capacity: China and India plan to add additional coal-fired capacity to support their respective renewables booms.
3. Baseload power: The additional coal-fired capacity will provide 24/7 baseload power and avoid power crunches or blackouts.

In Europe, some countries are considering boosting nuclear power generation – or, in Italy’s case, a return to nuclear after 40 years – for reliable zero-carbon energy. However, Germany, the biggest economy, has shut down all its nuclear power plants two years ago.

1. Nuclear power: Some countries are considering boosting nuclear power generation for reliable zero-carbon energy.
2. Germany’s nuclear policy: Germany has shut down all its nuclear power plants two years ago, leaving it reliant on renewable energy sources.
3. Energy costs: Energy costs for industry are four to five times higher than in the United States, which can count on cheap and abundant domestic natural gas.

The EU Green Deal and the Clean Industrial Deal aim to boost Europe’s competitiveness while decarbonizing at the same time. However, the EU’s climate policies have created a perfect storm that is depriving citizens of reliable and affordable energy.

1. EU Green Deal: The EU Green Deal aims to boost Europe’s competitiveness while decarbonizing at the same time.
2. Clean Industrial Deal: The Clean Industrial Deal aims to support the EU’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
3. Perfect storm: The EU’s climate policies have created a perfect storm that is depriving citizens of reliable and affordable energy.

Deindustrialization is a major concern for many countries, including those in Europe.

1. Deindustrialization: Deindustrialization is a major concern for many countries, including those in Europe.
2. Energy costs: Energy costs for industry are four to five times higher than in the United States.
3. Competitiveness: Competitiveness cannot be achieved when costs are several times higher than those of competitors.

Secretary Wright called on Central Europe to choose energy freedom and join the U.S.