Donald Trump's administration is pushing to increase fossil fuel use while blocking wind and solar projects. This has sparked legal fights and criticism from experts and Democrats. Recently, four judges, including one appointed by Trump, blocked moves to stop five major offshore wind projects on the East Coast worth billions. Meanwhile, Trump’s officials ordered five old coal plants to stay open, despite costly repairs and state challenges. Experts say these actions raise energy costs and worsen pollution. Harvard professor Naomi Oreskes said, “Trump’s decisions make no sense from either the perspective of environmental protection or the cost of energy.” The Trump administration also pushed heavy liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, which some say contributed to a $12 billion rise in natural gas costs for households last year. Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Europe to push easing rules for LNG exports, supported by industry groups led by Trump donor Harold Hamm. Trump’s campaign received about $75 million from fossil fuel interests. Electricity prices rose 5.1% in the past year, outpacing overall inflation. Trump officials argue their policies meet growing energy demand and prevent blackouts. Trump has praised "beautiful clean coal" but slammed wind energy as a “scam.” Experts warn Trump’s fossil fuel focus is short-sighted. Michael Gerrard from Columbia Law said, “If you want to lower electricity prices, you don’t halt wind and solar projects that are already under construction.” Ari Peskoe from Harvard Law added the coal plant orders ignore affordability and reliability checks and cost consumers hundreds of millions. Oreskes summed up, “Trump’s policies will throw environmental protection under the bus and raise the price at the same time. It’s a lose-lose proposition, and the losers are the American people.” Since April 2024, Trump has signed orders to boost coal by easing rules and cut $679 million in federal support for offshore wind ports. He told oil executives, “My goal is to not let any windmill be built. They’re losers.” Legal battles continue over the wind project freezes. Interior Department’s concerns about national security were rejected by courts which ruled for the wind developers. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse called the administration’s coal and wind strategy a “corrupt enterprise and a scam.” Rising LNG exports also draw fire. Public Citizen and Democrats blame exports for higher domestic natural gas prices. Tyson Slocum of Public Citizen said, “Trump’s decision to expedite LNG exports with no protections for price increases for American consumers is a key contributor to the energy affordability crisis.” Senator Edward Markey and others introduced a bill to reduce LNG exports to lower energy costs. Markey stated, “Fossil fuel billionaires aren’t just harming our health... they’re busting our budgets every month.” Despite Trump’s fossil fuel push, 93% of new power added in 2025 came from solar, wind, and batteries, noted Joe Romm of the University of Pennsylvania, “because they are the cheapest.” Romm warned Trump’s policies will keep electricity prices rising by favoring costly coal and exports over clean energy.