Answer extracted from the Mick Unplugged podcast — listen to the full episode below.
How can states build a resilient energy strategy to lower costs and strengthen the grid?
States need to adopt an "all the above" energy approach combining solar, wind, battery storage, and nuclear power—while leveraging their unique geographic advantages and accelerating permitting to meet growing demand. Governor Moore emphasizes that this isn't a one-size-fits-all strategy: Maryland can capitalize on offshore wind resources, while landlocked states like Iowa must pursue different options based on their terrain and natural assets.
Geography shapes strategy—no state starts from the same position
The critical insight here is that energy resilience requires honesty about what each state can actually deliver. Maryland's coastline opens the door to offshore wind development that simply doesn't exist for interior states. Similarly, Iowa's flat terrain and wind patterns make it a natural hub for land-based wind farms. As Governor Moore discusses in the episode, successful governors must identify their region's natural competitive advantages and build policy around them, rather than trying to replicate a national template locally.
Permitting speed becomes the operational lever that turns advantage into actual capacity. Governors must remove bureaucratic delays to allow developers to move from planning to construction quickly. The longer permitting takes, the longer grid stress persists and the longer energy prices stay elevated—a problem Maryland residents have felt acutely, with energy costs rising over 17 percent in the past year and a half, driven partly by national supply chain pressures and overseas conflicts affecting fuel markets.
Demand is growing faster than supply—adding assets is non-optional
The real challenge isn't choosing between energy sources; it's deploying enough of all of them simultaneously. As explained in this podcast episode, states are facing rising electricity demand from data centers, AI infrastructure, electrified transportation, and residential growth. Maryland alone hosts 40 to 50 major data centers—facilities that consume enormous amounts of power and require grid stability. Without intentional, multi-source expansion, states will face rolling shortages and price spikes.
Nuclear power sits at the core of this strategy precisely because it provides reliable baseload electricity independent of weather or time of day. Wind and solar are essential—they're scalable and cheap—but they're intermittent. Battery storage helps bridge the gap, but no single technology solves the entire problem alone. The governors who win are the ones willing to say "yes" to all of these sources simultaneously.
"Service saved me. Service will save us because service saved me."
Wes Moore — 63rd Governor of Maryland. Moore built his career around public service after a childhood marked by adversity: his father died when he was three years old, he was placed in handcuffs by age 11, and he joined the Army at 17. He graduated from a two-year college and went on to found and sell businesses before dedicating himself to state leadership focused on measurable results and community transformation.
For a deeper look at how Governor Moore applies this principle of bold, all-encompassing action across policy domains, listen to the full conversation on Listenly to hear his broader vision for state governance and why speed of execution matters as much as the strategy itself.
See also
What measurable results has Maryland achieved in reducing violent crime and criminal justice reform?
Maryland has achieved a nearly 60 percent reduction in the homicide rate since Governor Moore took office. Additionally, he issued the largest mass pardon in United States history, pardoning 175,000 misdemeanor cannabis convictions.
What is the distinction between patriotism and nationalism, and why does faith matter in this context?
Governor Moore explains that patriotism means being willing to be part of making America a more perfect union, while nationalism is allegiance to a person or ideology rather than the ideals of the nation itself.
How can service transform a person's life trajectory and what role does it play in addressing community challenges?
According to Governor Moore, service saved his life. He emphasizes that people who saw potential in him before he saw it himself provided the foundation for his transformation and success.
Key takeaways
- An "all the above" energy strategy—solar, wind, battery storage, and nuclear—is essential to meet growing demand and stabilize prices.
- Geographic advantages vary by state: Maryland leverages offshore wind, while Iowa and other regions must build strategies suited to their terrain and climate.
- Accelerating permitting processes is critical to translating energy policy into actual grid capacity and lower consumer costs.
- Energy prices in Maryland rose over 17 percent in less than two years, underscoring the urgent need for state-level action on supply and reliability.