Clean Energy Adopts New Pitch as ‘Dominance’ Becomes Key Selling Point Under Trump Administration

Clean-energy executives are shifting their messaging to align with President Donald Trump’s emphasis on “energy dominance,” the Washington Post reports.

More than 160 solar industry leaders gathered on Capitol Hill this week, marking the sector’s largest-ever lobbying effort, as they seek to position solar, wind, and renewable energy as crucial components of America’s energy strategy.

Executives donned lapel pins featuring the slogan “AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE” and emphasized renewable energy’s role in boosting US manufacturing and job creation. The new pitch moves away from traditional green rhetoric, focusing instead on themes like national interest, energy independence, and economic growth.

Abigail Ross Hopper, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, highlighted the industry’s efforts to increase domestic solar manufacturing.

“Anything that undermines our effort to achieve American energy dominance is counterproductive,” she said.

The lobbying push comes as Republican lawmakers consider repealing tax incentives for clean energy to fund a large tax and spending bill. Adding to industry concerns, President Trump signed an executive order halting grants and loans tied to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was central to the previous administration’s climate agenda.

The funding freeze has delayed numerous clean-energy projects and led to job furloughs across the sector.

“It’s almost like a government shutdown,” said Zealan Hoover, a former EPA official who oversaw IRA implementation under President Biden.

Advocates are emphasizing the significant investments renewable energy has brought to Republican-leaning districts. A Washington Post analysis found that Trump-favoring districts received three times more investment due to clean-energy tax credits than other areas. Over half of all new clean-energy jobs are also in GOP-led districts, according to environmental group Climate Power.

Executives are rebranding their projects to resonate with the current administration’s rhetoric. Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power, highlighted his company’s focus on energy independence.

“This aligns closely with the Trump administration’s goal of energy dominance,” Marsh noted.

Other firms are moving away from climate-focused narratives.

“We don’t have to say climate change,” said Todd Borgmann, CEO of Montana Renewables. “We can say energy transition, motivated by national interest, motivated by energy independence.”

Despite the delays and shifting narratives, some executives remain hopeful about navigating the changing political landscape. Nalin Gupta, CEO of Wabash Valley Resources, reflected on the prolonged application process for a Department of Energy loan.

“We are excited about closing the loan, whosoever is in charge,” he said.