Cleantech policy rollback risk in North America
Key Questions
What actions has the Trump administration taken on offshore wind leases?
The Trump administration is buying back Invenergy's offshore wind leases for $765M across multiple projects including Leading Light Wind, redirecting focus to gas and geothermal. This adds to a total $2.6B taxpayer cost for scuttling renewables.
Has solar surpassed coal in US electricity generation?
Yes, solar beat coal for the first time in a month with 12.8% vs 12.2% share, and 91% of new capacity additions came from solar plus batteries.
What is the status of the SunZia wind project?
SunZia, the largest US wind farm at 3,650 MW, is starting operations with transmission links to CAISO.
How are states responding to federal clean energy policy changes?
Subnational efforts continue with Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Minnesota advancing 100% carbon-free targets, while West Virginia opposes gas microgrids.
What new deadline affects wind and solar tax credits?
Wind and solar developers face a July 4 tax credit deadline under the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.
What legal wins have occurred for clean energy permitting?
A federal court restored the 5% Safe Harbor for tax credits after the Trump admin dropped its appeal on wind permitting freezes.
How are green stocks performing despite policy headwinds?
Green stocks have hit $10 trillion with the Clean Energy Transition Index up 80% in 18 months, signaling market momentum.
What is replacing 'climate change' as a policy driver?
Energy security framing is increasingly replacing climate change as the key driver of clean energy action according to analysts like David Victor.
Trump admin dropped appeal on wind permitting freeze (legal win by AG Brown). Federal court restored 5% Safe Harbor for tax credits. SunZia (3,650 MW) largest US wind farm starting ops. Subnational resilience continues (Hawaii, Massachusetts, West Virginia opposition to gas microgrid). New: Wind/solar developers face July 4 tax credit deadline under One Big, Beautiful Bill Act; Dominion Energy renews land option for CVOW South offshore wind. Fortune Global 500 net zero targets now over half. Ocean protection critique: 30x30 area targets insufficient. Minnesota Governor Walz announces data centers must be powered by green energy and protect water, accelerating state's 100% carbon-free target to 2035. Major new: Trump admin buys back Invenergy's offshore wind leases for $765M (Leading Light Wind 2.4 GW, plus floating projects in Maine/California), redirecting to gas and geothermal—coordinated dismantling of U.S. offshore wind. New milestone: Solar beat coal in US electricity generation for a month (12.8% vs 12.2%), with 91% of new capacity from solar+batteries—market momentum counters policy headwinds. Seattle City Light's strategic plan shows subnational utility navigating transition. Recent: NJ offshore wind webinar (June 2026) provides local perspective; Vattenfall's BARREEF pilot shows offshore wind can create marine habitats. New: Green energy groups sue Pentagon over de facto wind halt, adding another legal front. Climate Governance Forum 2026 video highlights high-level policy signals. Climate Reality's Global Week of Action shows grassroots mobilization. New article 'Team Trump keeps using tax dollars to scuttle renewable energy projects' adds total $2.6B taxpayer cost for killing offshore wind, quoting Rep. Huffman. New: U.S. Forest Service retooled to serve livestock industry—regulatory capture threatening public lands. New: Taiwan fish-solar corruption scandal highlights need for oversight in renewable projects. New: Green stocks hit $10 trillion, Clean Energy Transition Index up 80% in 18 months—market signal counters policy rollback narrative. New: 'Energy security' framing replacing 'climate change' as driver of action, per David Victor—strategic reframing to watch.