The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.

With the close of Wisconsin’s legislative session and the start of another election season, energy policy is once again moving to the center of public debate. How we power our state affects every household, every business and every community. But as the conversation ramps up, it’s important to keep our focus on practical solutions, not political talking points.  

Wisconsin is facing a simple reality: our energy needs are growing, and they are growing faster than our in‑state energy supply. In fact, Wisconsin is a net energy importer, relying on imports for roughly six times more energy than we produce. Meeting the demand we face requires thoughtful planning, long‑term investment, and the ability to use every responsible tool available to us. That’s why an “all‑the‑above” energy strategy, one that includes renewables alongside other reliable sources, is necessary and prudent.  

Over the past several months, lawmakers in Madison debated how best to balance energy reliability, affordability and private property rights. In the end, they largely rejected efforts that would have restricted landowners’ choices or slowed responsible energy development. That outcome reflects a shared understanding that Wisconsin’s strength lies in empowering people, especially farmers and rural property owners, to make decisions that work for their land, their families and their communities.  

Renewable energy plays a growing role in that equation. Solar, wind, and energy storage projects are not abstract policy concepts; they are real investments happening across rural Wisconsin. For many farmers, these projects provide steady lease income that helps stabilize operations through volatile markets, unpredictable weather, and rising costs. For local governments, they expand the tax base and provide new revenue that can support schools, roads, and public services.  

Yet as renewables have expanded, so has misinformation. Too often, the debate is framed as a choice between reliability and clean energy, or between economic growth and local control. That false choice doesn’t hold up in practice. Renewable projects are built under some of the most rigorous siting, environmental and safety standards in the country. They are planned years in advance, reviewed by state regulators and shaped by local input. Just as importantly, they are integrated into a broader energy system designed to keep the lights on, even during periods of peak demand.  

Wisconsin’s energy future will not be powered by a single source. It shouldn’t be. A resilient grid depends on diversity: different fuels, different technologies, and different geographic locations working together. Renewables add value to that mix by providing low‑cost, homegrown energy that reduces our reliance on imports from other states and nations. They also help modernize our aging infrastructure and strengthen grid resilience, particularly when paired with storage.  

For conservatives, this conversation should resonate on familiar ground. Supporting renewable energy is about economic competitiveness, private property rights, and energy independence. It’s about allowing innovation to flourish without heavy‑handed government mandates. And it’s about ensuring Wisconsin remains open for investment and prepared for the demands of a modern economy.  

As campaigns get underway, voters will hear plenty of sharp rhetoric about energy policy. Despite that, Wisconsin has made meaningful progress in recent years by taking a balanced approach, and we should build on that momentum rather than retreat from it.  

The question facing our state is not whether renewables belong in Wisconsin’s energy mix. The real question is whether we are serious about meeting future energy demand in a way that is reliable, affordable, and rooted in Wisconsin values. An all‑the‑above strategy that includes renewables is the responsible path forward and positions our state to succeed for decades to come. 

Peder Mewis is regional policy director for Clean Grid Alliance and resides in western Wisconsin.