Clean energy is surging despite political attacks. But a slowdown may be looming

"The administration has used federal agencies to try to slow or stop the development of wind and solar projects. And this summer, the GOP-controlled Congress voted to get rid of tax credits for renewable energy, threatening to drive up the cost of projects. As a result of those moves, the United States is forecast to add a lot less power from renewables in the coming years than analysts previously expected, according to the International Energy Agency."

"A White House spokesperson, Taylor Rogers, said in a statement that renewables drive up power prices. President Trump is trying to boost resources like natural gas, coal and nuclear power, Rogers said, in order to "lower energy prices, increase grid efficiency, and win the AI race." In a study this fall, researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory said wind and solar projects, on their own, do not in general raise power prices."

Federal actions and Congressional votes have significantly constrained renewable energy development, slowing new wind and solar projects and removing tax incentives that lower project costs. Forecasts from the International Energy Agency show substantially smaller additions of renewable capacity in coming years. Electricity demand is rising faster than in decades, increasing pressure for new generation. Experts warn that limiting new power supplies could raise electricity costs and impede business growth. The administration favors expanding natural gas, coal, and nuclear to lower prices and boost grid efficiency. Independent analysis from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory finds wind and solar generally do not raise power prices.

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