The renewable energy sector in the United States has been facing numerous challenges recently, prompting concerns about its viability and growth. President Donald Trump’s administration has been notably critical of wind and solar power, referring to them as a “scam of the century,” while simultaneously promoting the fossil fuel industry through increased lease sales for drilling and making millions of acres of federal land available for mining.
In a significant policy shift, Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act has expedited the phaseout of tax credits for wind and solar projects, reversing commitments made under the previous Inflation Reduction Act. This has raised questions about the future of renewable projects, including Empire Wind 1 and Revolution Wind, both of which faced temporary halts imposed by the administration.
Amid these setbacks, the nonprofit organization Giving Green is advocating for a renewed focus on what it terms “clean firm power” technologies, which include nuclear and geothermal energy. These technologies are characterized by their ability to provide emissions-free electricity consistently, unlike wind and solar, which are dependent on weather conditions.
Dan Stein, founder and executive director of Giving Green, encourages optimism despite the current political climate, suggesting that advocates can still engage with federal policies to advance clean energy. The organization has released a report outlining opportunities for bipartisan support of clean energy, emphasizing the importance of addressing federal permitting delays to facilitate clean energy deployment.
In contrast to wind and solar, nuclear and geothermal technologies have not faced significant opposition from the Trump administration. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has included these technologies in his vision to enhance American energy innovation, maintaining tax credits for these sectors in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Geothermal energy, traditionally limited to volcanic or tectonic regions, is experiencing a resurgence due to technological advances in oil and gas. Jamie Beard, founder of Project InnerSpace, highlights the potential of hydraulic fracturing to unlock geothermal resources in new locations. Project InnerSpace’s GeoMap tool, described as “Google Earth for geothermal,” aids stakeholders in identifying viable geothermal project sites globally.
Similarly, Giving Green sees promise in next-generation nuclear fission as a viable clean energy source. While nuclear power currently supplies about 20 percent of the U.S. power grid, further development has been hampered by regulatory challenges and high costs. However, advances in modular nuclear designs could enable faster and more cost-effective project development.
The report from Giving Green underscores the need for improved regulatory processes to facilitate the deployment of clean energy technologies. It emphasizes the importance of federal permitting reform, which has garnered bipartisan attention. The SPEED Act, introduced by Rep. Bruce Westerman and Rep. Jared Golden, proposes significant changes to environmental review processes, aiming to streamline permitting while facing skepticism from some environmental groups.
Dan Stein remains hopeful, advocating for technological advances and bipartisan cooperation to overcome current challenges. “I think that despite headwinds, there’s a lot that civil society can do at all levels,” he said, urging collaboration to bridge divides and address energy needs.
Armond Cohen, of the Clean Air Task Force, also believes that perseverance and innovation within the clean energy sector will eventually prevail. “Climate is a marathon, not a sprint,” Cohen said, suggesting that current difficulties will eventually give way to progress.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org