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Happy Good Friday!
April 3rd, 2026
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The America First Energy Project here to bring you our perspective and matters we know are important for the community, decision makers, and economy of a strong, energy-independent state.
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The New Energy Politics: Why Solar Is Gaining Ground on the Right
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Across the country and increasingly in Louisiana the energy conversation is shifting away from an “either/or” debate toward an “all of the above” strategy grounded in reliability, affordability, and American strength. That approach includes solar. What was once viewed as partisan is now gaining broader acceptance, with leaders and conservative voters recognizing that responsibly deployed solar can strengthen the grid, support domestic manufacturing, and enhance U.S. competitiveness. Here at home, projects like the First Solar facility in Iberia Parish demonstrate real economic impact, creating high-paying jobs and driving significant regional investment.
This momentum reflects core conservative principles: personal property rights, energy abundance, domestic production, innovation, and market-driven growth. Solar is now one of the fastest-growing sources of new energy capacity, helping meet rising demand from industrial expansion and data infrastructure while complementing traditional oil and gas generation. Ignoring its role does not protect our energy future, it’s weakening it. At the same time, any path forward must prioritize property rights, ensuring landowners retain the freedom to use their property, including participation in solar development, without excessive government overreach.
Energy demand is accelerating, and Louisiana is well-positioned to lead if it embraces a balanced, forward-looking strategy. Solar can be deployed quickly, stabilize long-term costs, and reduce strain on existing infrastructure while working alongside nuclear, natural gas, and emerging technologies. The path forward is clear: support policies that promote energy independence, protect property rights, and encourage economic growth. When done right, solar is not a threat, it is an asset that strengthens our grid, creates jobs, and reinforces an America First energy future.
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From the Road
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America First Energy Project Louisiana Executive Director Jeff Arnold on the road this week in Baton Rouge for the Louisiana Legislature and the House Natural Resources Committee. Caught up with former colleague and former State Representative Jane Smith of Bossier Parish during the meeting.
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In the past couple weeks, the AFE team was in St. Tammany, Cado/Bossier, and East Baton Rouge!
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Where To Next
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We’ll be in back in St. Tammany, and St. Helena, and East Baton Rouge.
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Louisiana ranked 2nd in the nation in affordable energy
– MSN
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“We are proud to see that our focus on incentivizing investment in an energy industry that will support a thriving economy going forward is paying off. This is only the beginning of brighter days for Louisiana ahead.
We know that demand for electricity will only go up and recognize the uncertainty involved in new technology and data centers planning to locate here in Louisiana which are not yet fully operational. Louisiana must support pro-growth policies that leverage our abundant natural resources to power the businesses of the future and continue to make electricity more affordable.”
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