In a notable shift, the Trump administration announced on July 17, 2025, that it would impose heightened political reviews on wind and solar projects. The Interior Department's memo outlined that decisions on various agency actions—ranging from permits and environmental assessments to wildlife impact evaluations—will now require oversight from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, bypassing lower-level staff involved in the approval processes.
Agency officials justified this move, claiming it serves to “end preferential treatment for unreliable, subsidy-dependent wind and solar energy.” However, industry experts warn that the broad scope of this new directive could result in considerable bottlenecks, leading to delays for many projects already in the pipeline.
While a minority of wind and solar installations are situated on federal lands under the jurisdiction of the Interior Department, projects based on private properties frequently seek guidance from the agency to ensure compliance with federal regulations—particularly concerning environmental protections and wildlife. This expanded oversight could stifle the growth of the renewable energy sector, which has been experiencing increasing pressure to reach sustainability goals amidst changing political landscapes.
As these developments unfold, stakeholders are left to grapple with the implications for the future of renewable energy across the United States.
