On July 17, 2025, the Washington Post reported that the U.S. Interior Department will now require additional layers of review for wind and solar energy projects. This follows President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending what he described as “preferential treatment” for renewable energy.

The new policy could significantly slow approvals for projects on federal lands and waters, as developers rush to begin construction before next July’s deadline to qualify for tax credits, credits that were already sharply reduced under Trump’s recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill.

In addition to the renewable energy changes, Trump issued a proclamation exempting several coal plants in Ohio, Colorado, and Illinois from stricter Biden-era emissions limits through 2029, citing the need for grid reliability. Environmental advocates warn that this will mean more toxic pollutants in nearby communities.

The Interior Department’s updated policy means that leases, rights-of-way, construction and operation plans, environmental assessments, and dozens of other actions related to wind and solar projects will require personal review by the Secretary of the Interior. Industry groups, like the American Clean Power Association and the Solar Energy Industries Association, argue that the change amounts to deliberate obstruction and will hinder clean energy growth at a time when electricity demand is soaring due to AI and data centers.

Supporters of the move, including the Institute for Energy Research, say that this policy shift will “level the playing field” for coal and gas after what they call years of disadvantage.

You can read the full report, Trump adds new level of scrutiny to wind and solar projects, here.