As Gov. Eric Holcomb’s term winds down, he’s perplexingly joined a pro-coal group of Republican governors who seem oblivious to the changes sweeping through the energy sector.

The Governors’ Coalition for Energy Choice is a group pushing back against clean energy mandates under the guise of advocating for “energy choice.” Holcomb argues that renewable mandates are “ideological statements not based in reality,” claiming they lead to higher prices and stunt innovation.

But let’s pause and examine that claim.

Indiana Michigan Power is actively transitioning toward cleaner energy sources. As reported by Power Engineering in early July, I&M has filed plans for significant investments in solar and wind projects, including a 100-megawatt solar plant in Elkhart County and a 180 MW solar facility at Hoosier Line. It’s retiring its coal-fueled plant in Rockport by 2028.

The global stage is also changing. China, the world’s largest belcher of carbon dioxide, is slowing its coal dependency.

The Guardian reported last month that while China is still constructing new coal-fired power plants, there’s been a marked slowdown in permitting future plants. Moreover, China’s renewable energy sector has surged.

The nation may be called the People’s Republic of China, but money is a powerful tool regardless of political ideology, particularly when it comes to realpolitik. China, like the U.S., has a powerful coal lobby, which “is entrenched within China’s regional and national governing structures,” The Guardian reports. Yet one analyst told The Guardian, “It’s hard to see how they’ll win.”

“Why would you want to build this thing that not only is politically problematic but also doesn’t stimulate (gross domestic product)?” David Fishman, a Shanghai-based energy consultant, asked, referring to coal-fired power plants.

Political will can be a powerful tool.

Holcomb discusses not setting “artificial demands” and wanting to “lean heavily into innovation.” Innovation isn’t about clinging to outdated technologies but embracing new ones. By joining this pro-coal coalition, he’s not championing innovation — he’s hindering it.

The energy landscape is changing, whether we like it or not. Indiana can be at the forefront of this transformation, creating jobs and attracting businesses that value sustainability — or we can keep paying for the maintenance of costly, archaic coal-burning facilities and the resulting environmental and health consequences.