Wind and Solar Development on Federal Lands

planned

The Trump administration issued a secretarial order that effectively prohibits the Interior Department from issuing permits for wind and solar projects on federal lands unless they produce as much energy per acre as fossil fuels or nuclear power. This order directs the Interior Department to consider alternatives with higher capacity densities when reviewing projects under the National Environmental Policy Act. The move reverses the Biden administration's priority of supercharging renewable energy development on federal lands and pauses new renewable energy leasing and development on these lands.