Concerning Signs for U.S. Clean Energy Buildout

Industry group warns federal policy chaos is stalling momentum.

The American Clean Power Association (ACP)—the trade group representing U.S. wind, solar, transmission, and storage companies—is sounding the alarm that renewable energy deployment is losing steam, even as demand for clean power continues to climb.

In its Clean Power Quarterly Market Report released September 3, ACP points to a patchwork of federal decisions and regulatory delays that are sowing uncertainty for developers, investors, and utilities.

After several years of record-breaking additions in solar and wind, the pace of new projects is slowing. Analysts cite stalled permitting, shifting federal rules, and mixed signals from Washington—including recent moves to revoke offshore wind permits—as major contributors to the downturn.

For everyday consumers, slower clean energy deployment could mean higher exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices and fewer near-term job gains in one of the fastest-growing sectors. For the industry, it raises concerns about meeting climate goals and keeping pace with Europe and China, where investment pipelines remain strong.

Federal incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act unlocked billions for clean energy, but without regulatory stability and streamlined permitting, that promise risks being left on the table. The U.S. is at an inflection point: either solidify momentum or risk falling behind in the global race for clean power.