Despite President-elect Trump’s intent to roll back clean energy policies, market forces and state-level initiatives are driving renewable energy growth across the U.S.
In short:
- Market trends make renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, increasingly affordable, boosting adoption even in traditionally fossil-fuel-friendly states.
- States like Texas and California have heavily invested in green technology, with Texas leading in wind power and California expanding battery storage to meet decarbonization goals.
- Cities and local governments continue implementing climate solutions independent of federal support, while a network of philanthropies and local partnerships aims to sustain climate action.
Key quote:
“Donald Trump’s going to learn something that our opponents in our initiative battle learned is: once people have a benefit, you can’t take it away.”
— Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington
Why this matters:
The momentum behind renewable energy is rooted in economic and local policy shifts that cannot be easily undone by federal changes. With solar, wind, and energy-efficient technologies becoming cheaper and more accessible, states and cities are positioned to continue reducing reliance on fossil fuels and adapting to climate impacts.
Related: Renewable energy boost brings significant benefits to US
