Safeguard
That said, the team behind the evaluation says that, depending on other aspects, policies could play a major role. Trump has suggested that he will focus on Biden’s entire energy policy, including the IRA itself. Its repeal could significantly decelerate the event of renewable energy within the USA, in addition to further problems with expanding the network with recent renewable capacities.
Moreover, within the USA, the demand for electricity in 2023 will grow at a faster rate than within the previous decade. While it’s still unclear whether that is the results of recent demand or just weather conditions increasing the usage of electricity for heating and cooling, there are several aspects that would easily increase electricity use in the approaching years: electrification of transportation, increasing use of knowledge centers and electrification of appliances and residential heating.
If they increase demand enough, continued use of coal could develop into profitable within the absence of EPA regulations. “These rules can be viewed as a hedge against higher futures emissions impacts with improved coal plant economics,” the document suggests, “which could occur in the event of higher demand, slower deployment of interconnected renewables and delays in obtaining permits or higher natural gas prices.”
And it stands out as the only protection now we have. The report also noted that many states have already set aggressive emissions reduction goals, including some aiming for net zero by 2050. However, they don’t replace federal climate policy, provided that states taking such steps use very primarily some coal.
Science, 2025. DOI: 10.1126/science.adt5665 (About DOI).
