DOI Scraps Biden’s Solar And Wind Rule As Environmental Groups Fume

The Department of Interior tossed aside another Biden-era environmental policy on Wednesday, announcing plans to rescind a Bureau of Land Management regulation that had given renewable energy projects favorable treatment on public lands.

Secretary Doug Burgum didn’t mince words about the May 15 decision. He claimed the move eliminates “preferential treatment” for “intermittent” renewable projects. Apparently, the sun doesn’t shine and wind doesn’t blow consistently enough for this administration’s taste.

The rescission specifically targets rate reductions that made renewable development more economically attractive. Instead, the DOI promises a “balanced approach” to energy development. Translation: fossil fuels get another seat at the table.

This fits perfectly into the Trump administration’s broader “American Energy Dominance” agenda. They’re busy dismantling what they call “excessive, one-sided restrictions” on traditional energy. First coal leasing moratoriums, now this. The pattern is clear as day.

Before anything happens, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs will review the proposed rule change. Then it heads to the Federal Register, followed by a public commentary period. Get your angry letters ready, folks.

The timing couldn’t be more symbolic. Just one day before the announcement, House Republicans proposed eliminating clean energy tax incentives. They’re particularly targeting clean-energy supplies connected to China. A two-pronged attack on green energy.

Environmental groups are, unsurprisingly, furious. The policy reversal comes despite solar power constituting 64% of additions to new electricity generation capacity in 2024. They warn that hundreds of millions of acres of public lands could face increased development pressure. The previous rule had aimed to minimize damage to sensitive areas while still developing renewables. That protection is now on the chopping block.

The contrast with the previous administration couldn’t be starker. Biden had surpassed his goal of 25 Gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025 and established conservation as equal in importance to drilling and mining. Burgum emphasized the new direction is about unlocking America’s resources and maximizing returns to taxpayers.

The administration insists the move will “ensure maximum taxpayer return from responsible use of public lands.” Whether taxpayers actually want iconic terrains and wildlife habitats sacrificed for that return is another question entirely.

Recently scrapped NEPA implementation rules could further undermine environmental oversight, creating a perfect storm for potential damage to public lands.