Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, initiating a significant shift in the United States’ energy policy landscape. His second term, otherwise known as “Trump 2.0,” has taken a distinctly different approach by prioritizing speed, reliability, and national security above climate goals. This pivot is a significant shift from prior administrations’ executive and legislative priorities toward advancing renewable energy and expressions of climate change mitigation.
The new administration has already started determining its effects, far beyond transportation, and we’re just beginning to unpack it. The potential implications of Trump 2.0 on U.S. nuclear energy, renewables, battery storage and thermal power generation have already been analyzed in detail. The story is the same in every sector, as policies are increasingly being reshaped to match the administration’s priorities. The second progress report on the administration’s “drill, baby, drill” campaign is a reminder of just how serious this administration is about increasing domestic fossil fuel production.
To unpack what Trump 2.0 means for the energy sector, we’ve produced a new podcast mini-series. This initiative comes at a pivotal time for the field. Subscribe on Google Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode! New episodes drop every Tuesday at 7 AM EST / 12 PM GMT. This Digital Connections Initiative connects you with useful experiences and analysis from industry leaders. We can’t wait to see you all and help you stay informed about the field’s frequently evolving dynamics!
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Donald Trump’s return to the White House will chart an entirely different course for energy production and consumption in the U.S. Through a focus on national security and reliability, the administration seeks to grow our domestic energy resources while competing in an unprecedentedly challenging global market. The debates and work being done today around Trump 2.0 show the inherent dangers in prioritizing expedient economic growth at the expense of protecting our environment and communities.