đź•’ Last updated on August 5, 2025
The United States is on the edge of a serious electricity problem. As technology grows, especially artificial intelligence (AI) and huge data centers, the demand for power is increasing rapidly. To keep up, the country must build more electric lines and make better use of clean energy like wind and solar.
America is running out of electricity, but help is being blocked
But instead of helping, the current administration is making it harder to grow clean energy. A recent example is the cancellation of a $4.9 billion loan guarantee for the Grain Belt Express. This project was going to build an 800-mile-long power line. It would bring wind energy from Kansas to homes in the Midwest. That wind power could have lit up more than 3 million homes. Yet, the government pulled back its support, saying it was not needed—without explaining why clearly.
This project has been in the works for over ten years. Many local landowners didn’t want it to pass through their areas. That opposition seems to have played a big role in the decision. Now, the company behind the project, Invenergy, is trying to get private funding instead. But without the government’s help, it may not happen. This means millions could miss out on clean and affordable electricity.
Building new power lines is too slow
New power line construction is already a laborious and slow process across the nation. The total length of high-voltage transmission lines constructed in 2024 was just 322 miles. In the last 15 years, that is among the lowest figures.
According to experts, the U.S. needs to build more than 5,000 miles of transmission lines every year to meet future electricity needs. These lines help move electricity across states and regions. Without them, even the clean energy we produce can’t get to where people live and work.
Why is it so slow? Building these lines is expensive. It also involves going through different state laws and land rights. If just one group says no, the whole project can be delayed or blocked. Political decisions and outdated rules are making it worse.
This isn’t just about future plans. Today’s power grid is already struggling. As homes, businesses, electric cars, and data centers use more power, the need for a stronger grid grows every day. But instead of speeding things up, the administration is placing more roadblocks in the way.
Clean energy is being buried under red tape
It’s not just wind energy that’s being slowed down. The government is now making it harder for solar and wind projects to move forward at all. For example, any project that involves federal lands or passes through them now needs special permission from top officials. That adds a huge delay. On top of that, new tax rules mean that projects have to start construction by July 4, 2026, or they won’t get financial support. That deadline makes many future projects uncertain.
In New York, a plan to build a power line from offshore wind farms to New York City was also stopped. The reason? The administration’s order to halt offshore wind development made it too risky for public funds to be involved. That means clean power from the sea may never reach the city.
Some government leaders say they are doing this because wind and solar are not as reliable as coal, gas, or nuclear. They also worry about China controlling the materials needed for clean energy technology. But these arguments don’t hold up. Countries across Europe use a lot of wind and solar without any major issues. No energy source is perfect all the time. That’s why the U.S. needs more ways to move power around—to balance supply when one source slows down.
Also, instead of stepping away from clean energy because China is ahead, the U.S. should compete. China is already leading in solar and wind technology. By not supporting American clean energy, we risk falling behind even further.
What’s surprising is that many of the same leaders who once opposed giving government help to any energy projects are now doing just that—but only for fossil fuels. Wind and solar are being treated unfairly. If this continues, American homes and businesses could lose out on cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable power.