Trump's energy council shifts federal focus to fossil fuels over clean energy
President Donald Trump’s top energy adviser says the administration will sideline renewables and prioritize fossil fuels, aiming to fast-track drilling projects and reduce federal oversight.
Ian M. Stevenson reports for POLITICO.
In short:
- Jarrod Agen, director of the newly formed National Energy Dominance Council, said the White House does not support solar and wind energy, citing a lack of reliability and independence from subsidies.
- The administration has reopened federal lands to drilling, cut permitting timelines, and backed controversial pipeline expansions in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico.
- The council, operating largely behind closed doors, has only about 10 staff and no solar energy experts, yet plays a central role in steering federal energy policy toward traditional fuels.
Key quote:
“The president is not focused on wind and solar. They haven’t proven that they can get off the ground.”
— Jarrod Agen, executive director of the National Energy Dominance Council
Why this matters:
The Trump administration’s deepening embrace of fossil fuels comes as scientists warn that time is running out to curb emissions driving climate change. While solar and wind power are breaking records in capacity and price competitiveness, federal energy policy now pivots toward oil, gas, and coal. By accelerating permits, opening untouched lands, and sidelining renewables, the U.S. risks locking in decades of greenhouse gas emissions just as global efforts aim to phase them out. Communities near drilling and pipeline projects often face increased air and water pollution. The council’s secrecy and lack of public oversight raise concerns about accountability in decisions with long-term environmental and health consequences.
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