Many environmental groups, renewable energy investors, and clean energy proponents see reason for hope in a new Trump administration, even as others fear the president-elect will seek to repeal many green policies enacted in the past few years.
In the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s win over Vice President Kamala Harris, several energy advocacy organizations, individuals, nonprofit organizations, industry groups, and even lawmakers are saying clean energy can still thrive over the next four years.
This may come as a surprise to some who have tuned into Trump’s rallies over the last year, repeatedly hearing rhetoric such as “drill, baby, drill” and vows to halt offshore wind projects and roll back funding from the Democratic-passed Inflation Reduction Act. These promises have sparked concerns from groups such as the Environmental Defense Fund, which said Trump and his allies will “dismantle” the nation’s ability to fight climate change, reversing the policies of the previous administration.
However, many Republican clean energy advocates aren’t anticipating Trump completely backtracking. Instead, the priorities will shift to U.S. energy dominance.
Supporting domestic energy
“To me, an American agenda means more of all types of energy,” Neil Auerbach, CEO and chairman of the Hudson Sustainable Group, told the Washington Examiner, pointing out that Trump has not come out against an all-of-the-above strategy to power the country. Instead, the former president has advocated domestic manufacturing to come out on top.
Climate change non-profit CEO Jeremy Harrell agreed, pointing to soaring electricity demand and the need to boost energy production within the United States. While many on the Right have begun to point back to coal and fossil fuels to fill this gap, clean energy alternatives won’t necessarily be ignored if legislative changes are made.
“When you look at the big picture of what Congress and the Administration need to do next year — fix the broken permitting system, bring more manufacturing back to the U.S., accelerate technological innovation across sectors of the economy, and grow new American nuclear here and abroad — the incoming Trump Administration already has a leading track record on those issues,” Harrell told the Washington Examiner in a statement.
Auerbach and industry groups, such as the Clean Air Task Force, have also pointed to the 2022 IRA, which has boosted economies in both Republican and Democratic areas through funding for clean energy manufacturing. While Trump has vowed to rescind any unspent funds from the legislation, the industry is hopeful many of the clean energy tax credits will remain in place.
In a statement released early Wednesday, Clean Air Task Force Executive Director Armond Cohen said this funding will continue to “bolster” communities in Republican districts far more than Democratic ones — further boosting domestic manufacturing as a result.
“You can operate with a scalpel, or you can try a machete,” Auerbach said of efforts to repeal the IRA and the CHIPS and Science Act, the 2022 legislation providing major subsidies for domestic advanced tech manufacturing. “I think you’re gonna need a scalpel for the CHIPS Act. I think you need a scalpel for the IRA. There are certainly things that we can look at that’ll make the IRA get more value per pound of tax dollar, but I doubt there’s going to be a wholesale repeal.”
Lawmakers have also begun to indicate clean energy has a place in the Trump administration’s plans, as the Republican sets his sights on boosting domestic manufacturing.
“President Trump’s 2024 victory is a win for the American people and the American worker,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) told the Washington Examiner. “He unleashed American energy dominance in his first term and will do so again.”
Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), who won his race for the Senate on Tuesday night, has insisted the U.S. has an energy future that can not only be clean but affordable and reliable.
“I’m confident that clean energy can thrive under President Trump’s next term,” Curtis said.
The senator-elect went on to indicate that the solution for boosting innovation and development lies in streamlining permitting for domestic projects.
“I’ve seen firsthand the entrepreneurial spirit of Utah’s energy sector, and with the right support, I believe we will continue to grow our clean technologies, ensuring they play a vital role in our economic success and energy independence,” he said.
What else to expect
There are 75 days until Jan. 20, when Trump will be inaugurated for his second term in the White House. In addition to IRA rollbacks and ending offshore wind development, he has made several promises to target clean energy projects once in office. What that will actually look like may change, but Auerbach predicted it will likely focus on ensuring consumer choice.
For example, Auerbach explained that within the first 100 days, or even as soon as 48 hours, of Trump’s presidency, he will likely issue several executive orders reversing Biden administration rules regarding electric vehicles. Auerbach also expects to see orders issued boosting fossil fuel exploration, drilling, and production for oil and natural gas.
As not even 24 hours have passed since the presidential race was called for Trump, the details of these executive orders remain to be seen. Still, share prices for several wind and solar companies fell Wednesday.
Some in the nuclear industry have expressed confidence that they will see support from the new Trump administration. Juliann Edwards, chief development officer at the Nuclear Company, pointed to the recent bipartisan support for the clean fuel source, as Republicans and Democrats agree nuclear is necessary to boost the economy.
Similarly, John Starkey, director of public policy at American Nuclear Society, told the Washington Examiner he is “very optimistic.”
“I don’t see any reasons for Republicans not to pursue nuclear by any means necessary in this next Congress,” Starkey said.
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In the aftermath of Trump’s win, other clean energy industry groups, such as the Solar Energy Industries Association and the Oceantic Network, which represents offshore wind, have released statements emphasizing the importance of their fuel sources within the overall energy mix. Others, including American Clean Power, are highlighting the need to harness all sources to secure a reliable energy grid. Auerbach told the Washington Examiner this could help secure U.S. dominance in the energy industry.
“If you want to have an America that’s energy dominant, you want to be in all of the above,” Auerbach said, referring to fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, and wind. “There’s no way that America can be energy dominant without being clean energy dominant. It is not possible.”