ESG-Related Projects Advance Despite Trump's Agenda

Written by Danny Levin, Deputy Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

Industrial Info is tracking $90 billion worth of ESG-related projects across the U.S. set to kick off in the first quarter, with about 45% of the total spend attributed to projects that it estimates have a medium-to-high likelihood (70% or more) of beginning construction. This is despite the White House's opposition to development that can involve environmental, social and governance (ESG) and laws that are aimed at climate change.

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Power Generation Q1 Kickoffs

Most of the total spending is attributed to developing solar generation and other sources of power.

The solar spend includes two projects from AES Corporation (Arlington, Virginia): the $570 million second phase of its Bellefield Solar Plant in California City, California will add 500 megawatts (MW) to combine with the 500-MW first phase that is now in its final commissioning stage. The Red Brick photovoltaic (PV) solar plant in Virginia would have a nameplate capacity of 130 MW. The projects are set to wrap up by the end of 2027.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Project Database can read more information in the project reports.

For more information on first-quarter solar kickoffs, see December 8, 2025, article - U.S. Solar Kicks Off 2026 with Nearly $9 Billion of Development.

Each of the Bellefield solar sites include battery energy storage systems (BESS) with 500 MW of capacity, and the BESS unit addition at Bellefield II is in the site preparation phase.

Wind projects include the $540 million RedRock Windfarm in Terril, Iowa, which is being developed by RedRock Wind Energy LLC, a subsidiary of Invenergy (Chicago, Illinois). Subscribers can read more information on the BESS and wind projects.

Other Sectors Also Feature ESG Projects

International Power (Memphis, Tennessee) is partnering with carbon removal project developer CO280 (Vancouver, British Columbia) to add a carbon capture unit at the Mansfield Pulp and Paperboard Mill in Louisiana.

A 65-MW microgrid system addition at the University of California, Berkeley also is on track to begin next quarter. Microgrids are independent, small-scale grids that help heavy energy-consuming sectors, and this particular system would assist in providing decarbonized energy sources to be used as uninterrupted, back-up power for the campus.

Subscribers can read the carbon capture and microgrid project reports.

ESG Projects Advance Despite White House Agenda

The project activity comes as the Trump administration aims to undo or weaken state laws and Biden administration-era funding that could feature ESG.

The president has described ESG as a "way to attack American business."

Earlier this month, the Department of Energy (DOE) eliminated a Biden-era standard that defined a "zero emissions" building. In a notice in the Federal Register, the agency said the definition is "not consistent with current administration priorities" and urged states, cities and organizations to no longer use it.

According to a DOE press release, the definition established discretionary standards for energy efficiency, on-site emissions from energy use, and consumption from "clean" energy sources. These were not regulatory standards, and compliance was purely voluntary.

Other White House actions include slashing funding for a variety of "clean energy" projects and issuing executive orders that aim to usurp state climate laws.

For more information, see October 6, 2025, article, DOE Axes $7.56 Billion in Clean Energy Funds Amid Shutdown Brawl, April 10, 2025, article - U.S. Home to $58 Billion Worth of Q2 ESG Kickoffs, and June 12, 2025, article - EPA Would Axe Regulation of Power Plant Emissions of Greenhouse Gases, Air Toxics.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Project and Plant databases can click here for a full list of detailed reports for projects mentioned in this article, and click here for a full list of related plant profiles.

Subscribers can click here for a full list of reports for U.S. ESG-related projects that Industrial Info estimates have a 70% or higher likelihood of beginning construction in the first quarter of 2026.

Key Takeaways

• ESG-related projects across the U.S. continue to advance despite the White House's agenda.
• This includes projects related to renewable energy generation, but other sectors are seeing activity as well.
• $90 billion worth of ESG-related projects across the U.S. are set to kick off in the first quarter, with about 44% of the total spend attributed to projects that are assessed as having a medium-to-high likelihood (70% or more) of beginning construction.

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About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).