All new wind and solar energy projects on federal lands will now require personal approval from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. The Biden-era fast-tracking of green energy is being reined in, and developers aren’t happy.
Key Facts:
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will now personally review all solar and wind energy projects on federal lands and waters.
- The change comes as part of Trump’s July 4 tax-cut and spending bill, which phases out renewable energy subsidies.
- Trump also signed a July 7 executive order targeting “Green New Scam” policies.
- Critics warn the change could slow project approvals and disqualify them from time-sensitive tax credits.
- The law maintains incentives for nuclear, hydropower, and geothermal energy through 2032.
The Rest of The Story:
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will now oversee and approve every solar and wind energy project on public lands and waters, following a new Interior Department directive.
This move ends what the department called “preferential treatment” for subsidized, unreliable energy sources.
The new order coincides with legislation signed by President Trump on July 4 that rolls back many clean energy subsidies while boosting support for fossil fuels.
Trump’s follow-up executive order on July 7 described past climate initiatives as part of the “Green New Scam.”
Renewable energy advocates argue the change adds red tape that could delay projects and disqualify them from federal tax credits.
“There’s no question this directive is going to make it harder to maintain our global AI leadership and achieve energy independence,” warned Stephanie Bosh of the Solar Energy Industries Association.
Despite Senate amendments that allow projects started within the next year to qualify for credits, opponents argue that utility prices will rise and grid modernization will suffer.
🚨 TODAY: @Interior announced a new directive to elevate the review of wind and solar projects and end preferential treatment for these unreliable, subsidy-dependent energy sources under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.https://t.co/jVzmR37FsS
— Secretary Doug Burgum (@SecretaryBurgum) July 17, 2025
Commentary:
This is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black.
For years, Democrats pushed renewable projects through with little scrutiny while showering them with subsidies.
Now that the tables are turned, they’re suddenly worried about too much regulation.
It’s true that Republicans have historically favored limited government.
But even free markets need rules—especially when energy reliability is on the line.
Americans remember when wind turbines froze in Texas, cutting power to thousands.
That kind of failure can’t be repeated, especially as AI data centers and other high-demand industries continue to grow.
Solar and wind, once touted as saviors of the grid, have proven inconsistent and subsidy-dependent.
The Obama and Biden administrations bet big on them—and taxpayers are still paying for the fallout.
It’s not unreasonable to require careful review of these projects, especially when federal land is involved.
What Democrats now call “bureaucratic red tape” is simply standard oversight.
We don’t allow oil rigs or nuclear plants to operate without approval, so why should solar or wind be exempt?
What this change really does is level the playing field.
Fossil fuels and nuclear power are dependable.
They don’t need to wait for sunny days or calm winds.
And with the rise of AI and data-driven systems, energy consistency is non-negotiable.
Trump’s push toward nuclear energy, which has long been underutilized despite its clean output, may finally bring a viable long-term solution.
Unlike wind or solar, nuclear is dispatchable—ready when needed.
Instead of whining about regulation, renewable advocates should focus on proving they can deliver results without taxpayer crutches.
If their technology is truly the future, it should be able to compete in a fair system.
The Bottom Line:
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will now personally oversee all new wind and solar projects on federal lands.
The move is part of Trump’s broader strategy to pull back on failed climate policies and prioritize reliable energy.
Democrats may cry foul, but this new oversight simply brings renewable energy in line with the scrutiny other power sources already face.
With demand rising fast, especially from AI, ensuring grid reliability is no longer optional.
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