One of my favorite episodes of “The West Wing” is when the deputy chief of staff gets a burst of machismo and test drives a new monstrous SUV, only to run into the back of a fuel-sipping hybrid. This of course is happening as his administration is promoting fuel efficiency standards.

This episode is more symbolic than the writers even knew, as it is reflective of our trend to politicize every bit of innovation in today’s world. The end result is that we no longer step up and embrace our ability to bring new technologies to the forefront of our economy without a major divisive fight. And right now there is no better example than what is happening in the energy space. And this will hurt this country for years to come.

When Toyota released the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle at the end of the 20th century, it was embraced by both Democrats and Republicans. The Dems loved its green credentials, while the Republicans liked the fact that it would be the first mobility tool to improve our energy independence, as they did not like seeing $1 billion a day flowing out of the US and to OPEC nations. Now hybrids and full battery electric vehicles are increasing in sales in the US. But they are used as pawns in fights about climate change, tax incentives, etc. Why is that?

The Mahoning Valley knows the impact that Electric Vehicles have on the economy. While I was angry at GM when they closed Lordstown, I reverted back to being a “GM Guy” when they lived up to their promise and opened the Ultium gigafactory next door, employing over 2000. Hotels in the area have been full with LG engineers on assignment. And at the old Lordstown assembly plant, Foxconn is playing the long game, with approximately 500 employees building e-tractors and prepping for EV production.

I have generally been a fan of seeing the US go all hybrid first, then as battery technology improves, costs come down, and charging station infrastructure is more prolific, we can focus on all EVs. But right now China’s advancements in electric vehicles is so fast and incredible, the car website Jalopnik recently stated the US auto industry risks going the way of the UK auto industry, where we are reduced to a few marquee models if we don’t keep up. Ford’s CEO also echoed this warning.

And the costs to make batteries are lowering quickly, as are improvements in range. Recall the first DVD player was $1,000 30 years ago. Today you can buy a better one for $29 online.

This improvement in battery tech is not just important for cars — it is assisting in the need to solve for our voracious appetite for power in the US. Ten years ago, when you hit “enter” on a Google search, you were using the equivalent of 10 seconds of power needed by one LED light bulb. When using an AI-powered search, you are now using around 45 seconds of that same light bulb’s power. This is why we as a country cannot politicize renewable energy.

The provisions in the recent Big Beautiful Bill that were signed into law truly hurts not only solar and wind development in these next few years, but it will most likely increase the cost of electricity to consumers.

Most reasonable renewable energy experts were actually OK when the sunsetting of tax credits and incentives, but wanted a respectable 3 years to do so. This way, projects being planned would be able to secure their majority private sector financings, component factories would continue to be built in the US with the certainty they can sell their products, and we’d have power come on line.

Further, I and many other rational actors in the renewable energy industry believe that natural gas and nuclear should be a part of the power generation equation. They are a more expensive sources of power than renewables at this time, but their use as a source of baseload (the power that is for consistent demand all day) is absolute.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, 24 counties in Ohio have banned solar and wind farms. Many of these counties have large rural areas and feel the land should be used by farming. But land can be used by both simultaneously. One of my favorite growth areas for solar is what is called “Agrivoltaics” — using solar canopies over farm land that is in use, which provides protection during heatwaves.

Studies are showing consistently that farms that use agrivoltaics use less water, fertilizer, and witness less soil erosion. So our local farmers lower costs, and generate an additional source of income. Given all the challenges farmers are facing from tariffs, cuts in USAID, etc, giving them an additional source of revenue by selling their power gives them a bit more financial stability. Why would we want to prevent that?

My Cardinal Mooney history teacher Mr. Kane always said: ‘compromise is the essence of politics.’ Last month Democrat New York Governor Hochul and Republican President Trump did just that: Trump approved the continuation of the Empire State Offshore Wind Project (which employs many union jobs upstate), and Hochul will allow 2 natural gas pipelines to transit through the state. If we depoliticize energy and innovation, great things will continue to happen to the United States. So go test drive an SUV ­– as long as it’s a hybrid.

On a personal note, this is my last column for the Vindicator/Tribune Chronicle. I started writing them 20 years ago for the legacy Vindicator, then moved to the Tribune Chronicle. I have to thank Dennis Mangan and Brenda Linert for giving me a shot to write about matters. Dennis once told me to write “like I’m a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” meaning to give my perspective on what I see and how it relates to the Mahoning Valley. That always stuck with me. I loved every column I wrote.

Now it’s time for new adventures. Many thanks to those who read them, and both agreed and disagreed with me!

Eric Planey is CEO of SolaBlock, Inc. Write him at eplaney@solablock.com.