In what should have been a surprise to no one, U.S. President Trump, in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night, made no mention of climate change, advanced energy, clean energy, renewable energy or energy efficiency.
He mentioned energy in only one sentence during his 80-minute speech, recapping what he views as his accomplishments over the year in office.
“We have ended the war on American energy and we have ended the war on beautiful clean coal,” he said.
Scientists and energy reporters lit up the Twittersphere at that statement, wondering aloud what he meant by the ‘war on American energy’ and stating that clean coal does not exist.
NEWSFLASH: I’m a scientist, and clean coal isn’t actually clean. It’s also way more expensive than developing solar, wind, etc. #SOTU
— Jess Phoenix (@jessphoenix2018) January 31, 2018
There is no such thing as Clean Coal. Never has been, never will be. #StateofOurUnion #SOTU pic.twitter.com/x7BZJ7499K
— Daniel Schneider (@BiologistDan) January 31, 2018
Many in the clean energy industry remain hopeful that Trump’s $1.5 Trillion infrastructure plan could include transmission upgrades and potential hydropower refurbishments, however those specific items were not mentioned in the speech.
Read: Infrastructure to Transmit Wind Power Reportedly On Trump’s Priority List
There is no war on American energy. America should lead on clean energy! Smart leaders are tapping into this unprecedented opportunity. Doesn’t @RealDonaldTrump know that US solar jobs are growing 17X the average job growth? #SOTU
— Al Gore (@algore) January 31, 2018
