Save Our Planet: Environmental Opportunities for 2025

Key Takeaways

  • The Trump administration’s energy policies are hindering the transition to clean energy, contradicting previous promises.
  • States hold significant power over energy policies and must focus on local agendas rather than national chaos.
  • Despite federal challenges, local initiatives are successfully advancing clean energy efforts and creating positive community impacts.

Panel Discussion on Clean Energy Transition

On May 8, 2025, the Network for Responsible Public Policy (NFRPP) hosted a session focused on clean energy transition challenges, moderated by Richard Eidlin. The panel included Dale Bryk from Harvard’s Environmental and Energy Law Program and Dan Sosland, President of the Acadia Center.

The discussion emphasized the surprising actions of the Trump administration, whose January 2025 executive order, “Unleashing American Energy,” was characterized as an aggressive federal intrusion into state energy policies. Bryk described it as a “mindless assault on anything that sounds clean.” Despite these challenges, Bryk affirmed that the move towards clean energy is inevitable, spurred by science rather than political rhetoric.

States possess significant jurisdiction over energy and climate issues, providing a pathway to tackle the inertia at the federal level. Panelists urged state and local governments not to follow the chaos but defend affirmative energy agendas through legal means, citing a strong history of bipartisan support for collaborative environmental initiatives. Interestingly, the conversation at the state level often shifts from climate change to job creation and cost savings, making the energy transition more palatable to broader audiences.

Economically, many conservatives also recognize that the Trump administration’s policies disrupt the renewable energy market. As Sosland pointed out, the current energy choices come with economic and health costs, emphasizing the human impact must be addressed in climate discussions. Bryk advocated for framing conversations around shared human values to open dialogues.

While the current administration poses challenges, the panel believed that state and local actions could lead to meaningful progress. Examples included communities installing solar farms and creating alternative transportation options. States are also utilizing the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program to make significant advancements toward cleaner energy, irrespective of their formal climate policies.

Despite widespread agreement on core principles, discussions around clean energy remain polarized. Bryk termed this the “question of our time,” suggesting that community engagement—like collaboration with local organizations—might bridge divides and foster constructive conversations.

The panel concluded with an optimistic outlook, urging collective local action while recognizing the crucial need for just policies that support equitable transitions to clean energy, as market forces alone may fall short. The current political landscape may be disheartening, but local initiatives are poised to make substantial strides in clean energy advancements.

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