American Clean Power Blog

Heat waves and winter storms are more frequent, more intense, and last longer. The western U.S. broke the record for the hottest March temperature in history at 108 degrees earlier this year. The eastern U.S. is expected to shatter records this July 4th weekend with temperatures reaching 115 degrees. And in January, Winter Storm Fern brought freezing rain, sleet, snow, and bitter cold across two-thirds of the country.

American energy infrastructure is revitalizing domestic manufacturing. Smart trade policy can help. Even the most attentive supply chain expert may struggle to keep up with the many tariff announcements and complex sourcing dynamics affecting the American clean power industry over the past year. They continue to obstruct the power industry’s ability to meet growing energy demand and affordably serve customers.

There was a point in my career when I didn’t know how to get to the next step. I believed that if I worked hard and proved myself, the right doors would open, but it didn’t work that way. I couldn’t find someone to provide the guidance that I was seeking. I had to figure it out on my own. And I did. And I promised that I would always share what I learned because I wasted a lot of unnecessary time. I came to understand how to access opportunity. Who is in the room. Who gets heard.

2025 was a huge year for American clean power. Annual deployments broke 50 GW for the first time. Battery energy storage broke records every quarter. Land-based wind annual additions almost doubled. Solar installations had the second strongest year on record. And the $79 billion spent on these new projects supported 1.4 million American jobs. But even more is on the way.

Just before Thanksgiving, ACP Chief Policy Officer JC Sandberg led a discussion between industry experts — Clearway’s Chief Financial Officer Steve Ryder, Crux Co-Founder and CEO Alfred Johnson, Orrick Partner Alejandra Garcia Earley, and Norton Rose Partner Hilary Lefko — all of whom underscored the increased urgency to grow the available pool of tax equity and the opportunity tax credit transfer deals represent to help accomplish that goal.

The transition from ACP Resource & Technology to ACP PEAK couldn’t be more timely. In an era defined by supply chain disruptions, evolving tariff policies, and ongoing adjustments to the Inflation Reduction Act, one thing I suspect: the assumptions you began your project with—whether in layout, module, or turbine selection— will go through multiple iterations.

“Being in clean energy has its ups and downs,” they say. “Ha!” I say. Today, when the clean energy industry concurrently faces such headwinds and continues to display such promise, and in the context of a dynamic policy landscape, unprecedented demand growth, and increasing political debate – “ups and downs” seems like a dramatic understatement. And yet, at this point in my career, I know this is just another twist in the journey to a cleaner, more reliable, affordable energy future. Markets adapt.

Key Takeaways Artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers are driving unprecedented energy demand growth, shifting industry conversations from megawatts to gigawatts. Permitting reform and policy consistency are critical to maintaining American leadership in both AI and energy security. An all-of-the-above domestic energy approach—including wind, solar, storage, nuclear, and natural gas—is essential for reliability and national security.

Stephanie Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Eolian, shares what the inaugural EmpowHER event means to her: When I started my career in energy in 2002, I often found myself to be the only woman in the room. As a young lawyer, I didn’t yet know how to use my voice, and I had constant imposter syndrome. My solution was to silently work harder and longer to prove my worth – a wholly unsustainable practice considering the lack of sleep if nothing else.

American clean energy production creates family-supporting jobs and substantial local tax revenue that powers schools, roads, and emergency services Transparent community partnerships and addressing local questions directly build successful domestic energy projects ACP’s Local Affairs Committee unites diverse expertise to ensure domestic energy development benefits rural communities while strengthening America’s energy leadership When clean energy projects take root in rural communities...