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15h ago

Interior Memo Forces Personal Sign-Off on All Federal Wind and Solar Permits

The leak requires Burgum to personally approve each renewable permit in a move aligned with the administration’s fossil fuel push.

Solar panels are set up in the solar farm at the University of California, Merced, in Merced, California, U.S. August 17, 2022. REUTERS/Nathan Frandino/File Photo
Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum listens to President Donald Trump speak during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Solar panels are installed on a home in Chapel Hill, N.C., Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)
FILE - A Block Island Wind Farm turbine operates, Dec. 7, 2023, off the coast of Block Island, R.I., during a tour organized by Orsted. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File)

Overview

  • An internal memo mandates that Secretary Doug Burgum conduct elevated review of every wind and solar project on federal lands and waters, covering leases, rights-of-way, construction plans, grants and environmental assessments.
  • The Interior Department has condemned the leak as dishonest and a violation of professional standards without confirming the memo’s authenticity.
  • Clean-energy advocates warn the added bureaucratic layer could stall projects racing to meet federal tax-credit deadlines under the new tax-cut legislation.
  • A National Energy Emergency declared in January enabled a 28-day expedited permitting process for oil, gas and coal projects.
  • Wood Mackenzie estimates that about 10% of new solar capacity under development on federal lands could be delayed or canceled if Burgum withholds approvals.