Rural America must lead the clean-tech energy revolution

In America’s farm country, springtime is carpeting croplands in green as far as the eye can see. These are challenging times for farmers, but nature is doing what it can. It is a partnership that has existed in North America for about 5,000 years.  

In fact, croplands are the world’s biggest man-made solar collectors. As the sun bathes fields in energy, plants use photosynthesis to make glucose, their food. The sun’s heat creates wind, which circulates carbon dioxide, to promote plant growth. The result is food and fiber.

Now, another collaboration is possible. Farmers and ranchers have an opportunity to provide society with an equally crucial commodity: energy.

The U.S. has a huge and growing appetite for electricity. In recent years, the ability to convert sunlight and wind to megawatts has progressed to the point where it is the least expensive way to generate power.

It is also the cleanest, most sustainable, and most democratic way. Sunlight and wind are free. They produce no waste or pollution. They will not run out. And they allow people to produce their own power rather than relying on monopolies.

Renewable energy is a dream crop for farmers. It generates income without heavy equipment, labor, expensive inputs, fuel costs, 5 a.m. milkings, or worries about trade tariffs and commodity prices. Wind and solar energy are less expensive than fossil or nuclear fuels, even with battery storage and without government subsidies. 

The market........

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