Christine Ho, christine.ho@sierraclub.org
Washington, D.C. - Today, Donald Trump published on Truth Social that “Any State that has built and relied on WINDMILLS and SOLAR for power are seeing RECORD BREAKING INCREASES IN ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY COSTS.” This is false.
Energy Innovation reported that “states with the largest increases in wind and solar generation since 2010—including Iowa, New Mexico, Kansas, and Oklahoma—have seen rates rise slower than inflation.” In Texas, wind and solar energy are saving Texans $20 million a day.
Last week, a report by Grid Strategies on behalf of the Sierra Club shows that the Trump administration’s decision to issue emergency orders to extend the life of aging coal plants—combined with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s ruling that costs incurred from these extensions can be passed onto consumers—will place a financial burden on Americans. The report shows that if the administration continues to force coal plants to operate past their planned retirements, it could cost Americans up to $6 billion per year.
This week, Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright similarly tried to shift blame for rising energy prices on renewable energy and away from his own department’s policies that bolster costly and deadly fossil fuels.
In response, Sierra Club Chief Program Officer Holly Bender issued the following statement:
“Energy prices are going up because of this administration’s pro-fossil fuel policies and Donald Trump doesn’t want to take accountability. This statement is completely, patently false and extremely easy to disprove. Despite all the wrenches his administration has thrown to slow the renewable energy boom, renewable energy remains the cheapest form of energy.
“Instead of investing in clean energy and lowering monthly costs for families, Donald Trump is bolstering costly and deadly coal plants. Donald Trump can deflect all he wants, but when Americans see higher energy bills while fossil fuel companies rake in more profits, the truth will be clear.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.