Texas Undermines Trump’s Criticism of Renewable Energy
President Donald Trump has argued that solar and wind energy are unreliable and costly, pushing for a rollback of clean energy subsidies. But Texas, home to the country’s largest share of renewable energy, is offering a different narrative.
The Texas grid, operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), has sharply improved its stability. ERCOT now projects just a 0.30% risk of rolling blackouts this August—down from 12% a year ago. Despite the surge in renewables, electricity prices in the state are roughly 24% lower than the national average, at about 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to federal energy data.
“ERCOT has defined a clear, cost-effective path for both energy and reliability,” said Joshua Rhodes of the University of Texas at Austin.
Trump’s recent executive order cuts solar and wind tax credits under the new “One Big Beautiful Bill.” He claims these technologies displace more reliable energy sources, depend on foreign supply chains, and harm the environment.
Yet the Texas model contradicts those assertions. It’s delivering affordability and resilience while leading in renewable deployment—complicating the political narrative that clean energy undermines grid stability.
Dominic Maley is an American journalist recognized for his sharp and insightful reporting on social and political issues. His work is known for its depth, integrity, and the ability to highlight critical societal concerns.