The Early Days of the Trump Administration’s Energy Policy

The second term of Donald Trump’s presidency has brought a decisive shift in the direction of U.S. energy policy, pivoting away from the renewable energy initiatives championed by the previous administration. While Trump’s first term focused on deregulation and revitalizing the fossil fuel industry, his return to office in 2025 has seen an even more aggressive push against green energy policies. Within days of his inauguration, he signed executive orders that repealed key climate-related regulations, froze funding for renewable energy projects, and fast-tracked new fossil fuel extraction initiatives.

One of the most immediate actions was the withdrawal—once again—from the Paris Climate Agreement. Trump argued that international climate commitments placed an unfair burden on American industry while allowing economic competitors like China and India to continue high levels of emissions. His administration framed the move as a restoration of national sovereignty over energy policy, though critics pointed out that it isolates the U.S. from global efforts to combat climate change.

Another significant move has been the partial rollback of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was originally passed under the Biden administration to boost clean energy investments and emissions reductions. Trump’s administration has already begun cutting subsidies for wind and solar energy, arguing that these industries should be able to stand on their own without federal assistance. However, the administration has left some provisions intact—mainly those that benefit manufacturing and fossil fuel projects in Republican-led states.

The new administration has also renewed its focus on expanding domestic oil and gas production. In the first few months, it has lifted restrictions on drilling in protected areas, reopened leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and increased offshore drilling opportunities. Proponents argue that these measures will lower energy costs and create jobs, but environmental groups have warned that they could have long-term ecological and economic consequences.

Despite these changes, green energy remains a major industry with strong public and corporate support. The question remains: Will market forces and state-level initiatives be enough to sustain the momentum of renewable energy, or will Trump’s policies set back years of progress in the fight against climate change?