Trump’s Renewable Energy Claims Clash With Market Data: Who’s Really Hiking Your Electric Bill?

President Donald Trump has launched several attacks on renewable energy in recent months, calling wind and solar power “THE SCAM OF THE CENTURY!” While blaming green energy for rising costs, Trump pledged to cut Americans’ electric bills by 50% through expanding fossil fuels instead.

Trump’s claims come alongside policy actions taken since January 2025. He issued a presidential memorandum that suspended new wind energy leasing and revoked permits for some existing projects. He also declared a “national energy emergency” to justify scaling back renewables while boosting fossil fuel production.

Policy moves since 2025 show Trump’s energy agenda in action—limiting renewables while expanding fossil fuels under emergency powers.

The administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” ended the 30% federal solar tax credit for homeowners after December 31, 2025. Only installations completed before that date will qualify. These changes have created uncertainty for renewable energy developers and consumers.

Market data, however, tells a different story about what’s driving higher electric bills. Experts point to several factors behind recent price increases: growing energy demand from data centers and electric vehicles, aging power infrastructure, and extreme weather linked to climate change.

Natural gas, which generates over 40% of U.S. electricity, has seen price increases due to exports and market shifts. These fossil fuel costs, not renewable energy, play a major role in utility rate hikes.

Energy specialists note that Trump’s claim about renewables causing “skyrocketing” costs doesn’t match reality. In fact, wind and solar prices have fallen considerably over the past decade, often making them cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives. This contradicts trends in Australia, where renewable energy penetration has increased to over 39% while exerting downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices. Additionally, Trump vowed to not approve projects that use wind or solar power, further limiting renewable energy development.

The policy shift away from clean energy may have unintended consequences. Experts warn that limiting renewable development could hurt long-term price stability and innovation. The administration’s attempts to block renewable energy projects have already faced legal challenges, with 18 state attorneys filing a lawsuit against the January memorandum. There are also concerns about increased pollution in communities already facing environmental challenges.

As the debate continues, the gap between Trump’s renewable energy claims and market reality remains considerable, leaving consumers to sort fact from fiction about what’s really driving their electric bills higher.