Wind and Solar Energy on Federal Lands: Canceled or Just Grounded?

The Biden administration may have had its eyes set on greener energy pastures, but the Trump administration is pulling the emergency brake on the renewable energy express. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has just issued an order that could stifle the development of wind and solar projects on federal lands unless they can show they produce energy at densities worthy of fossil fuels or nuclear power. Talk about a plot twist right out of an energy policy thriller!

This secretarial order argues that wind and solar aren’t playing fair when it comes to land usage compared to other energy sources. With many of these green projects using large tracts of federal land, the argument is that they just can’t keep up with the likes of coal or gas in churning out energy efficiency. That’s a hard pill for solar panels to swallow, especially when they thought their moment in the sun had finally arrived.

And it doesn’t stop there—this move is also a welcome hug for the coal industry. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act opened up more federal land for coal mining, painting a not-so-pretty picture for those advocating for renewable resources. So, as the debate heats up, are we heading back to the coal age, or will the sun eventually break through these clouds? How do you view the future of energy in our country: is it time to secure our renewable sources, or should we embrace the tried-and-true fossils?

About the Author

View All Posts