Climate activist says rising electricity prices and attacks on green energy could hurt GOP

Longtime activist Bill McKibben, after installing new solar panels on his Vermont home, said rising U.S. electricity prices and the Trump administration's actions against renewable energy could have political consequences for the GOP ahead of 2026.

Bill McKibben, a longtime climate activist, installed a fourth set of solar panels on his Vermont home and discussed the political implications of rising electricity costs. He said the Trump administration's stance against solar and other renewable energy, along with policy changes, could harm the GOP as bills increase. The administration froze several offshore wind projects recently, though judges allowed three of those projects to resume. Federal clean energy tax incentives expired on Dec. 31, and electricity prices are rising in the United States. Key facts: - Bill McKibben installed a new solar system and said higher electric prices could have political impact ahead of 2026. - The Trump administration froze five offshore wind projects; courts allowed three to resume. - Federal clean energy tax incentives expired on Dec. 31, which included home solar installation credits. - Officials and a bipartisan group of governors pressed the operator of the nation's largest electric grid to take steps to boost power supplies. Summary: McKibben described rising electricity costs and the administration's stance on renewables as potentially influential for voter attitudes before the 2026 election. Officials and governors have increased pressure on the grid operator, and some court rulings allowed offshore wind projects to move forward. Undetermined at this time.