Stricter Oversight on Renewable Energy Projects: A Setback for Sustainability

In a recent move, the Interior Department's new policy could slow down renewable energy growth by imposing stricter political reviews on wind and solar projects.

The Trump administration announced on July 17, 2025, that the Interior Department will introduce more stringent political reviews for wind and solar energy projects, which may significantly hinder their development. According to a memo from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, over 68 types of agency actions necessary for approving new renewable power plants will now require the direct oversight of his office rather than being handled by lower-level staff. This includes federal permits, environmental assessments, lease sales, and wildlife impact evaluations among other crucial actions.

The administration claims that this directive aims to "end preferential treatment for unreliable, subsidy-dependent wind and solar energy." However, experts warn that this broad approach could create new bottlenecks, leading to substantial delays in a multitude of renewable energy projects. While only a minority of such projects occur on federal lands overseen by the Interior Department, many private land projects also depend on compliance with the agency's rules regarding wildlife and environmental protections. As the nation strives for sustainable energy solutions, these regulatory changes may pose significant challenges to the industry's growth and efficacy.