The transatlantic relationship between Germany and the United States on energy is at a pivotal juncture. The Trump administration has rolled back incentives for wind and solar, curtailed offshore wind permitting, and reoriented federal energy policy towards fossil fuel expansion. Yet beneath the headlines, US energy markets remain dynamic, and full of opportunity, with some of the most significant renewable growth occurring in conservative-leaning states, driven not by climate commitments but by economic pragmatism and grid reliability.
Together with adelphi and the Clean Economy Bridge, we brought together Tom Opdyke, Policy Director for Energy and Environment at R Street, and Heiko Willenberg, Head of Government Relations/Political Affairs at RWE, for a bipartisan transatlantic panel discussion exploring the complex dynamics shaping the U.S. energy landscape and identifying actionable pathways for German engagement.
The discussion was moderated by Jennifer Morgan, former State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action at the German Federal Foreign Office, who also answered our questions on energy policy in a short interview.
The interview was filmed by adelphi. The event took place on September 21, 2026. We would also like to thank adelphi and The Clean Economy Bridge for the great cooperation and hospitality.