Trump’s War On Clean Energy Is Killing Jobs + Raising Costs

^{Trump’s war on clean energy is not only increasing electricity bills, it has already killed or threatened more than 42,000 jobs across America}

The Trump administration’s war on clean energy is devastating the very industries that have been revitalizing American manufacturing and creating jobs across the nation.

Americans are feeling the impact. Executive Director of Climate Power, Lori Lodes, explains:

“America is losing nearly a thousand jobs a day because of Trump’s war against cheaper, faster, and cleaner energy. Congressional Republicans have a choice: get in line with Trump’s job-killing energy agenda or take a stand to protect jobs and lower costs for American families.”

_{Four Key Points to Understand¹}

• 42,000+ Jobs Lost: Just a few weeks into his second term, President Trump’s relentless assault on clean energy—particularly sectors like wind and solar—has already cost or threatened more than 42,000 jobs, averaging around 1,000 job losses per day and representing more than $57 billion in investment and 64 projects. This devastation is driven by efforts to suppress competition from clean energy sources in favor of the oil industry, which, ironically, is also not planning to increase production.
• Rising Energy Costs: Despite promises to lower energy costs, Trump and his Republican allies in Congress have broken their commitments. Instead, their policies are exacerbating inflation and driving up electricity bills to the highest they have been since the 1990s, all while dismantling clean energy production that provides affordable options for Americans.
• Punishing Families to Benefit Billionaires: From halting clean energy investments to firing workers indiscriminately and imposing harmful tariffs on allies like Canada, the Republican approach is squeezing already struggling working families. All of this to provide tax cuts and benefits to billionaires like Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
• Growing Public Outrage: As the economic impact of Trump’s policies continues to unfold, everyday Americans are increasingly voicing their displeasure. New polling data and town halls are sending clear signals of growing frustration, yet the Republican response has been to cancel these crucial discussions rather than address concerns.

This ongoing devastation of clean energy sectors is undermining not just the economy, but also the future of a sustainable energy transition for the country. Not to mention gas prices will be going up about 15 cents per gallon. Trump is hardly ushering in an energy secure future, and will need to address these issues to Congress this evening.

Trump’s Broken Campaign Promises

During his campaign, Donald Trump made bold promises to immediately reduce inflation and cut energy costs in half once he got in office. However, it’s clear now that his policies on clean energy are having the opposite effect. His actions have led to rising electricity prices, which have in turn worsened the inflationary pressures many Americans are already facing. Trump’s campaign rhetoric not only failed to deliver on the promises made, but also worsened the very issues he had pledged to solve.

The pain is exceptionally acute in rural America, where the effects of Trump’s attacks on clean energy programs have been particularly harsh. In particular:

• Rural electricity co-ops face billions in withheld funding.
• Alabamians are paying a $100 surcharge on their electricity bills due to Trump’s elimination of key energy programs.
• U.S. automakers are warning that Trump’s chaotic trade policies and attacks on clean energy will continue to raise costs for both manufacturers and consumers.
• Farmers are facing severe disruptions as Trump cuts essential clean energy grants and loans that were pivotal to their operations.
• Indigenized Energy’s plans to build low-cost solar energy for 14 tribes across Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are in limbo due to Trump’s cuts and pauses to EPA grants.

More Pain for Families, More Perks for Billionaires

It’s becoming painfully evident that Trump’s policies are to prioritize tax giveaways for billionaires by slashing investments in clean energy—an industry that has already created over 400,000 jobs. Rolling back investments and critical environmental protections have no benefit to Americans, but there are considerable perks for the billionaires who supported Trump’s campaign.

By prioritizing the wealth of the top 1% and Big Oil, Trump’s own supporters are being disproportionately affected. Clean energy jobs have been most concentrated in Conservative-held districts, and energy bills are slated to increase for the Average American family by $240 annually.

The consequences of Trump’s war on clean energy are becoming impossible to ignore. Recent polls and town hall reports reflect a sharp decline in support for both Trump and the GOP’s economic policies. As public dissatisfaction grows, Republican lawmakers are facing intense criticism even in deep red districts, prompting party leaders to avoid holding town halls to evade backlash.

The impact of Trump’s war on clean energy is evident, and the consequences for American workers, families, and the environment cannot be ignored. The ongoing attack on clean energy sectors is killing jobs, raising electricity bills, and undermining the nation’s economic stability and environmental future.

¹ Summarized by Climate Power— a strategic communications organization focused on winning the politics of climate. The author is on Climate Power’s National Advisory Board.