Happy 4th of July from just outside our nation’s capital! And, welcome to my inaugural blog for the Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy. It’s a great honor to continue PACE’s tradition of open, inclusive dialogue about energy policy. Over the coming years, I hope the words and images that appear in this space will spark even more questions, comments, and ideas that PACE can share with a wide universe of energy stakeholders and policymakers.
Energy and freedom go together like the 4th of July and fireworks. It seemed like a fantastic first blog theme as I sat with my laptop beside the pool at my daughter’s 4th of July early morning swim meet, grateful for the energy that comes from caffeine.
Initially, when I googled the terms and saw how many hundreds of websites, advocacy organizations, industry spokespeople and cultural institutions (even the Metropolitan Museum of Art has a creative spring campaign based on energy and freedom) have opined over the years on the links between energy and freedom, I thought twice about writing on the connection between energy and freedom. In the end, I decided it was critical to make a few observations and, as it were, to plant a few flags on the subject.
For further inspiration, I’d like to share two quotes from American icons that are in keeping with PACE’s tradition of engagement. One is a statement of hope, while the other strikes a cautionary note. PACE’s goal has always been to encourage persistence in meeting the needs of America’s energy future and to urge policy makers to tackle energy policy challenges head on. Talking about our challenges and the solutions, instead of talking around them, has been a hallmark of PACE’s advocacy from Day One.
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” – Benjamin Franklin
“Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them.” – Henry Ford
Happy 4th of July! Amid the food, fireworks and fun, please take a minute to appreciate the men and women who help make our celebrations possible and enjoyable for all, from our military, to local government officials, and energy workers out in the field. After the holiday, come back often to PACE on this website, Twitter, and Facebook to continue a great American discussion of how we can all work together to maintain and grow our nation’s energy and freedom.