Baseload blind spot? Senate should unleash 24/7 clean-energy workhorses

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The article emphasizes the importance of geothermal and hydropower as critical baseload energy resources that are currently overlooked in federal energy legislation. As the U.S. Senate considers a budget bill, the authors argue that these renewable energy sources are essential for achieving a clean, reliable, and resilient energy future. They highlight the risks associated with the current legislative approach, particularly concerning relicensing issues for hydropower and the need for supportive policies for geothermal energy development.

The authors call for bipartisan reforms in the Senate to address these challenges, including changing tax credit deadlines to support ongoing projects, reinstating transferability of tax credits, and incorporating legislation to enhance hydropower safety and environmental upgrades. They assert that prioritizing geothermal and hydropower is not only beneficial for energy independence and grid reliability but also a strategic necessity for the U.S. to maintain its leadership in energy and industrial sectors.