Newsom Blames Trump, But His Own Policies Drove Energy Costs Sky High
California Governor Gavin Newsom is trying to blame President Trump for rising electricity costs, but facts tell a different story. According to the Energy Information Administration, Californians already pay nearly double the national average for electricity—$0.24 per kilowatt-hour compared to $0.12 nationally. That isn’t because of the Trump administration; it’s because of California’s aggressive, decades-long pursuit of the green agenda.
The Daily Caller reports,
“California’s build out of green energy technology has caused it to produce more solar and wind power than it can use, requiring it to pay neighboring states to take its excess electricity and to develop massive battery storage facilities. The state’s net energy metering program has also drawn fire for driving up electricity prices, as the policy forces some Californians to pay for their neighbor’s rooftop solar.
Notably, a heavy reliance on intermittent energy technology like solar or wind can threaten grid reliability, energy policy experts have previously explained to the DCNF. The Golden State has suffered from power grid issues for years, with Newsom urging Californians to reduce electricity use during peak hours to prevent power outages amid an intense heat wave in 2022.”
Newsom’s attempt to shift blame is one reason we released our new report, The Looming American Electricity Affordability Crisis, which makes it clear that California’s struggles are self-inflicted and should serve as a warning for the rest of the nation. Over the last three years, electricity costs nationwide have increased by nearly 30 percent as the Biden administration shut down reliable coal plants and allocated billions to wind and solar subsidies. These intermittent sources cannot deliver the steady, affordable baseload power families and businesses rely on.
Our report urges President Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act to restart shuttered coal, natural gas, and nuclear plants. Laying out a four-step plan: keep existing plants online, upgrade coal capacity, fast-track new fossil fuel plants, and ensure reliable energy sources supply the grid.
Politicians who created this crisis want to shift blame, but the reality is straightforward: America can’t power its future on windmills and solar panels. Reliable energy sources, like coal, natural gas, and nuclear, are the only path to affordability, security, and prosperity.
August 27, 2025