US Democrats are planning to promote clean energy and tackle rising energy costs when they take control of Congress in January, setting up a potential clash with President Donald Trump's fossil fuel-focused policies, although he has vowed to use his veto power against legislation he opposes.
Following their victories in last week's midterm elections, Democrats will hold majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, giving them greater scope to advance an agenda focused on renewable energy and climate change.
Although climate issues were not a major focus of the election campaign, Democrats can use their new position to launch investigations and hold hearings into the Trump administration's rollback of climate policies and cancellation of green energy grants. They may also seek to reverse some of the changes and restore incentives for renewable energy projects.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, said Trump's actions against clean energy had increased costs for taxpayers.
He said Democrats would explore every possible avenue to reduce consumers' energy bills and seek accountability for what he described as corruption involving the president's fossil fuel donors.
Jason Grumet, chief executive of the American Clean Power Association, said those involved in developing clean energy projects felt encouraged by the election results.
However, major legislative changes will require Republican support, as Democrats do not have enough votes to override a presidential veto. Moreover, lower energy bills are not guaranteed, as electricity prices also depend on fuel costs, consumer demand and the expenses of maintaining the power grid.
Lisa Sachs, director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, said the election results had given Democrats greater influence over spending and an opportunity to advance a coordinated policy agenda.
She said voters had prioritised affordability and opportunities, and Democrats now needed to identify policies capable of delivering those goals.
Trump vows to use veto power but leaves room for cooperation
Trump said after Tuesday's election that Democrats would send him legislation containing "things that are insane" and that he would veto them.
However, speaking to Fox News, he predicted that after several months of vetoes, he and Democratic lawmakers would find ways to work together.
In a statement on Wednesday, the White House said Trump remained committed to expanding reliable, affordable and secure energy sources to reduce prices, strengthen the power grid and protect national security. It also said he was willing to work with anyone towards those objectives.
Trump had pledged to reduce energy prices, but his war with Iran and other policies have contributed to higher costs of gasoline, diesel and electricity. At the same time, his administration has cancelled numerous clean energy projects and grants and slowed the approval process for such developments.
The president has been particularly critical of offshore wind power. However, Danish energy developer Orsted announced on Thursday that its Revolution Wind project, a major offshore wind farm in federal waters off Rhode Island, had begun commercial operations.
Former Sen. Byron Dorgan, a Democrat from North Dakota and co-chair of the government relations practice at ArentFox Schiff, said he did not expect Trump to change his position on energy policy.
He said the president would likely continue pursuing his energy agenda but might have to allow the new Congress some room to develop an alternative strategy that includes clean energy.
Trump has consistently advocated expanding oil, natural gas and coal production, arguing that increased fossil fuel output would help the United States secure the world's lowest electricity costs.
Mike Sommers, chief executive of the American Petroleum Institute, the leading lobbying organisation for the US oil and gas industry, said the election results had sent a clear message about voters' concerns over affordability.
He said there was an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation to reduce costs and strengthen the economy, beginning with an energy permitting reform proposal announced in September. The proposed legislation aims to shorten the approval process for major energy projects.
However, Ife Kilimanjaro, executive director of the US Climate Action Network, urged Democrats to reject the proposal and use their stronger position in Congress to pass legislation that would accelerate the development of clean energy.
Democrats seek to reverse Trump's climate policy rollbacks
The Trump administration has overhauled the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rolling back pollution restrictions while promoting fossil fuel production.
Tim Moore, an energy transition analyst at Clear Street, said he expected Democrats to investigate the administration's climate and environmental policy reversals and explore ways to prevent some of them from taking effect.
He said Democrats could also seek amendments to the Clean Air Act to reduce carbon emissions and oppose proposed cuts to the EPA's budget.
Rep. Sean Casten, a Democrat from Illinois, said he was cautiously optimistic that some Republicans might now try to distance themselves from Trump and support environmental protection measures.
However, he said ambitious Democratic proposals would largely serve as a policy blueprint for the 2028 election if they failed to secure Republican backing.
Climate change may not be among Democrats' immediate top priorities, as they are also focusing on healthcare access, trade tariffs and the war with Iran.
Rep. Frank Pallone, a New Jersey Democrat expected to become chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the party should prioritise healthcare, affordability, consumer and environmental protection, clean energy and regulation of major technology companies.
Political divisions may stall federal climate action
David Victor, a professor of innovation and public policy at the University of California, San Diego, predicted a prolonged deadlock over federal climate and energy policies because of the divided government.
However, he said lawmakers might reach agreements on certain bipartisan issues, including reforms to the energy project permitting process.
Victor expects Democratic investigations and hearings to focus on corruption and other issues, with climate and energy policy forming only part of the discussions.
Like Casten, he believes most Democratic bills are unlikely to become law but could outline the party's policy priorities if it wins the White House in 2028.
He warned that the next two years could bring considerable political turmoil, as Democrats lack the votes to override presidential vetoes while the administration faces investigations and the consequences of its electoral setbacks.
Victor also identified the administration's possible use of executive powers to further roll back climate and environmental regulations as a major uncertainty.
States may push clean energy without waiting for Congress
Democrats also secured victories in gubernatorial races in several traditionally Republican-controlled states, including Texas and Georgia, potentially creating new opportunities for clean energy initiatives at the state level.
Leah Stokes, a political scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, said those victories could lead to significant state-level climate action next year, noting that environmental leadership has traditionally emerged from state governments.
At the federal level, she expressed optimism about the possibility of extending clean energy tax credits, as some Republicans also support them.
Jay Inslee, a former Democratic governor and congressman from Washington, also expects clean energy development to gain momentum in states that elected Democratic governors, particularly where Democrats also secured legislative majorities.
He said the developments could help the United States regain a leading role in global clean energy efforts, even if Trump uses his veto power to block some federal initiatives.
Inslee urged people to recognise the potential progress that could be achieved through state-level action.