Chris Wright – Secretary of Energy
President Trump
nominated Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy (a company specializing in hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’) as Secretary of Energy. Wright is a vocal advocate for oil and gas development, including hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’), and
has expressed skepticism toward climate change and efforts to mitigate it. His leadership may shift the Department of Energy’s focus toward traditional energy sources and deprioritize renewable energy programs.
Doug Burgum – Secretary of the Interior
President Trump tapped North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to run the newly created National Energy Council and has
nominated him to head the Department of the Interior. North Dakota has a history of investing in wind power, so Burgum’s background includes
support for fossil fuel development and renewable power. His leadership is anticipated to influence policies on public land use, which could affect the deployment of renewable energy projects, including solar installations, on federally-owned land.
Lee Zeldin – Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
President Trump
appointed former Congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. Zeldin is expected to oversee deregulatory policies that may impact environmental standards.
During his first presidency, Trump’s administration prioritized deregulation and rollbacks of environmental regulations, attempted to reduce the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) budget, and implemented a hiring freeze at the agency. The new administration’s
focus on deregulation and support for fossil fuels may result in a less favorable regulatory environment for new solar projects and increase permitting challenges.
Willie Phillips – Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
President Trump nominated Willie Phillips,
Chairman of the District of Columbia Public Service Commission, to lead the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Phillips, a seasoned regulator with experience in utility law, has emphasized grid reliability and ratepayer protections and has not been a particularly vocal proponent of renewable energy expansion. The appointment of Phillips as chair may influence policies affecting the integration of renewable energy into the grid and further stall
already delayed solar projects awaiting interconnection. Under new leadership,
FERC may reevaluate transmission incentives and policies that facilitate solar energy projects, potentially creating additional challenges for solar developers seeking grid access.