Mariannette Miller-Meeks questions renewable energy efforts

(1) Consumer freedom. Sure, it’s a safe political proclamation. (2) Products mined and refined in America. The congresswoman must mean that the use of oil, natural gas and coal, all “products extracted and refined in America,” is OK. The oil industry is doing well. They don’t need your support, Congresswoman. Exxon Mobil’s earnings in the final quarter of 2023 were $86.5 billion.

And finally (3) Create a clean energy future. There is plenty of room for skepticism here. Items (2) and (3) are not coherent topics for discussion.

Meanwhile, Iowa’s farms, retail energy, insurance companies and other industries will tell you that the climate in the Midwest is changing rapidly. Several Iowa retail and commercial structural insurers are liquidating or leaving the state due to high volumes of weather-related claims.

And then there are countless burning, flooded or drought-stricken places around the world. We know that these events are related to the continued warming of ocean waters.

Climate issues and many others have become political fodder consumed by lobbyists and interest groups. Miller-Meeks knows the game. Her support for fossil fuels and her long history of undermining green renewable energy industries lead to an obvious conclusion. Loyalty to her party and numerous out-of-state donors trumps voters in Iowa’s First District. These voters deserve better representation.