Clean Power Operators Strike Cooperative Tone over Trump Return

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) on Wednesday said it is looking forward to working with the incoming administration on advancing “all domestic energy resources”, even as the broader clean energy industry braced for a potential battle to maintain their momentum under a returning Donald Trump.

“The American Clean Power Association congratulates President Trump on his hard-fought victory”, ACP chief executive Jason Grumet said in a group statement. “ACP looks forward to working with the Trump-Vance Administration to unleash American-made energy, deliver reliable power to the grid, grow the economy, and enhance our national security”.

Trump and vice president-elect JD Vance will take office January 2025.

“Domestically produced clean power is vital to meeting our nation’s surging electricity demand”, Grumet added in the online statement. “Our industry grew by double digits each year under the first Trump Administration and has accelerated this rate of progress since. Private sector clean energy investment is bringing jobs and economic opportunity to small towns and rural communities across the nation, while hundreds of new factories have come online in states that have seen far too many good jobs move overseas.

“Harnessing America’s diverse energy resources is essential to our national security and global power. By combining the strengths of all domestic energy resources, the Trump Administration can advance an economy that is dynamic, secure, and clean”.

The ACP represents over 800 transmission companies across the solar, wind, hydrogen and storage sectors, according to the association.

On the other hand, Clean Energy for America, an advocacy alliance of workers, business leaders and campaigners, struck a more combative tone. The group had run an ad campaign for Democrat presidential bet Kamala Harris.

“The results of the presidential race are disappointing, but the work to keep building America’s clean energy boom must continue”, Alex McDonough, chair of Clean Energy for America’s c(4) board, said in a statement on the group’s website. “We need to fight for policies that are already making the US a clean energy manufacturing powerhouse; we need to keep working to bring affordable clean energy to every home and community in the country.  

“If President-elect Trump attempts to repeal the country's clean energy plan, including critical tax credits, he will fail. Cities, states, companies, and workers are pushing America forward on our clean energy future and economy because it’s the right direction for our economy, security and climate.

“We hope Donald Trump and Republican leaders will pursue bipartisan solutions to cut families’ costs, defend American security and innovation, and boost energy independence with clean power”. 

Clean Energy for America executive director Andrew Reagan said, “Over 3.5 million Americans work in clean energy and the workforce is rapidly expanding”.

“This momentum is not guaranteed”, Reagan said. “We must continue the fight for clean energy, and winning support from policymakers is essential to maintaining this momentum”.

Meanwhile European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined world leaders in congratulating Trump.

“I look forward to working with President Trump again to advance a strong transatlantic agenda”, Von der Leyen said in a statement published by the Commission.

“Millions of jobs and billions in trade and investment on each side of the Atlantic depend on the dynamism and stability of our economic relationship”, Von der Leyen added.

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