China is undergoing a dramatic transformation that remains largely unrecognized by most Americans, yet its implications are profound for the future of economic opportunity in the United States. In April alone, China deployed more renewable electrical generation than Australia has managed throughout its history. In 2025, China is projected to account for half of the world’s solar capacity, half of global EV production, and half of all wind power generation. The renewable energy sector in China has become a central pillar of the nation’s economy, representing more than 10% of GDP and surpassing even the real estate sector in business volume. This aggressive pursuit of renewables is not driven by environmental ideals but by a strategic goal: to secure the lowest-cost energy for manufacturing and achieve complete energy independence. China is on track to become the world’s first true electro-state.
In contrast, the United States is moving in the opposite direction. Current energy policy is deliberately dismantling the nation’s renewable energy sector, even as renewables now represent the most cost-effective and fastest-growing means of producing electricity. Texas — a state renowned for its oil industry — led the nation in renewable electrical generation projects in 2024.
The “OBBB” initiative, with its emphasis on revitalizing fossil fuels, is poised to cost Americans $170 billion over the next nine years and is projected to eliminate 840,000 green jobs by 2030. Trump’s motivation for these moves is to reward loyal fossil fuel companies, not make America more competitive on energy.
The demand for electrical power in Utah is booming, and the removal of many local solar and wind projects means higher electrical bills for Utah consumers and businesses. At a time when we need to strengthen our economies relative to China, our president is doing the exact opposite and making us less competitive.
Rod Perry, Ogden
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