The $1.5 trillion red tape disaster handing energy dominance to China

Published October 12, 2026 7:00am ET



America is experiencing an energy boom that is transforming the economy and powering technologies critical for national and economic security. Production of oil and gas is at record highs. Nuclear power is being commercialized again after a generation of stagnation. And utility-scale solar power has quietly become the fastest-growing addition to electricity capacity. In 2025, solar power added 32.7 gigawatts to grid capacity, accounting for almost the entire year’s capacity increase.

In comparison, natural gas added a net 3.1 gigawatts, coal-fired electricity subtracted 6.2 gigawatts due to retirements, and non-grid rooftop solar added 6.3 gigawatts, part of which reduces demand on the grid.

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