The Trump Administration is suspending approvals of new renewable energy projects on public lands and waters.
The Ministry of the Interior quietly issued order Monday to block activities that would allow for renewable development on federally owned land or offshore.
For 60 days, the government will not issue leases, rights of way, contracts, or “any other agreements necessary to permit renewable energy development.”
The directive was signed by Walter Cruikshank, the agency's secretary of state, pending Trump nominee Doug Burgum's confirmation by the Senate.
The order states that its purpose is to implement “the elevation of targets and time limits for relevant decisions at the Home Office…with a view to considering, in fact, the laws, policies and policies they raise.”
It comes as Trump launches an attack on wind energy specifically, issuing an executive order suspending new approvals for wind. However, applying the moratorium broadly to renewable energy would be an escalation and would also suspend solar energy action.
Despite his distaste for wind, Trump has also expressed that the country needs more energy – even issuing an emergency declaration on Monday. He is expected to promote fossil fuels, especially oil and gas, in light of the problems.
During his time in office, former President Biden halted new approvals for oil and gas on federal lands.
Athan Manuel, director of the Sierra Club's Lands Protection Program, criticized Trump's move, saying, “Blocking the fastest growing source of low-cost energy is an odd response to an 'energy emergency.' in a statement that reads:
“The real energy emergency is Donald Trump's job-killing actions, raising energy bills while lining the pockets of his wealthy corporate polluter cronies,” he added.
