Christine Ho, christine.ho@sierraclub.org
Washington, D.C. - Today, the American Clean Power Association released a report that shows that clean energy deployment hit a record high in the first half of 2026. There is now enough clean energy in the United States to power 83 million homes with affordable and renewable energy.
Throughout his presidency, Donald Trump has done everything he can to put up roadblocks for the renewable industry to benefit fossil fuels. He has slashed billions of dollars in clean energy development while giving away taxpayer dollars for more fossil fuels, he has cancelled leases, issued stop work orders, and even paid energy companies to abandon renewable energy projects and double down on fossil fuels.
Despite the challenges created by Donald Trump, the renewable industry added 17.1 GW of new capacity to the grid in the last six months. Clean energy procurement also reached 14.5 GW and purchase agreements reached an all-time high.
Another report from the United Nations Environment Programme this week shows that countries are failing to meet the agreed-upon targets from the 2015 Paris Agreement. The report recommends that countries must deploy as much clean energy as quickly as possible to mitigate the damage to our climate and environment brought about by fossil fuels.
In response, Sierra Club Climate Policy Director Patrick Drupp issued the following statement:
“Despite the Trump administration’s relentless efforts to kill the renewable energy industry and bolster fossil fuels, renewable energy is still growing in the United States and delivering cheaper, cleaner energy to families. Trump can continue to spread lies and disinformation about renewable energy, but Americans know the truth: renewable energy is the commonsense solution for a more affordable and reliable energy future. Sierra Club has been, and will continue to be, on the frontlines pushing for more renewable energy across the country to help lower the cost of electricity, clean up our air and water, and strengthen our grid.”
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.