Despite efforts by the Trump administration to impede clean energy development, including canceling transmission corridors and cutting tax credits, Biden’s administration and renewable developers have driven significant growth in solar and wind generation. This shift restructures the West’s power mix away from fossil fuels toward renewables.

In December 2024, the Biden administration proposed two new transmission corridors, which the Trump administration canceled by August 12, alongside a third project. Courts blocked some Trump measures, such as a Pentagon freeze on wind facility reviews. Meanwhile, large-scale projects like Pattern Energy’s 3.65-gigawatt SunZia wind facility, online since June, and the 800-megawatt Green River solar-plus-storage project completed this summer, have added substantial capacity. In May, solar accounted for 51% of California’s utility-scale power and 44% in Nevada, with New Mexico generating 63% from wind and solar. Coal’s role has plummeted from over 225 million megawatt-hours in 2007 to 90 million last year. Planned renewable projects now outnumber natural gas facilities, signaling ongoing growth.

More projects are in the pipeline, including Westlands Water District’s 20-gigawatt solar and battery storage development across 100,000 acres.

Montana’s energy landscape might potentially benefit economically from shifting grid dynamics if transmission expansions and renewable investments extend into or near the state. Local businesses and policymakers could watch these developments closely for potential network and economic effects.

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