Last week, the Interior department announced a new policy that wind and solar projects would require Secretary Doug Burgum’s sign-off at each stage of the permitting process. Critics of the new policy are pointing out the disconnect between this new policy and President Donald Trump’s stated interest in increasing efficiency and reducing “regulatory burdens” on energy development on national public lands.
“Can you imagine if Secretary Burgum ran his billion-dollar tech company like this — reviewing every single IT ticket himself?” said Kabir Green, director of federal affairs for nature at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “That kind of micromanagement would paralyze any operation, and here it’s being used deliberately to snuff out renewable energy development.”
Green characterized the new policy as a “shadow ban” on wind and solar projects. Other critics have noted that the new policy serves as further evidence that the Trump administration’s “energy dominance” agenda does not include renewable energy. According to Representative Jared Huffman of California, the ranking member of the House National Resources Committee, “This memo confirms what we’ve known all along: The Trump administration is deliberately sabotaging clean energy on our public lands.”
Quick hits
‘We’re frustrated’: Lawmakers press Indian Affairs nominee on key issues
On the Navajo Nation, the list of mystery wells continues to grow
Widespread backlash killed Sen. Mike Lee’s plan to sell public lands. Utah state leaders are undeterred
As wildfires rage, Trump staff cuts force firefighters to clean toilets
Report exposes poor industry compliance with Colorado’s oil and gas chemical disclosure requirements
Historical context removed from signage at Muir Woods National Monument
Journey’s end: Tribal youth paddle the Klamath River as a revival brings new hope
Opinion: Congress should not wreak havoc on public lands
Quote of the day
Employing the Congressional Review Act is effectively a scorched earth policy. It not only revokes every single management guideline in that specific management plan, but it prevents the agency from ever putting forth any management plan that is substantially similar—something that will hinder uncontroversial management decisions forever.”
—John Bradley, Minot Daily News
Picture This
Gold Butte National Monument is a remote and rugged desert landscape in southeastern Nevada, where dramatically chiseled red sandstone, twisting canyons and tree-clad mountains punctuate stretches of the Mojave Desert.
The brightly hued sandstone provides a stunning canvas for the area’s famously beautiful rock art, and the desert provides critical habitat for the endangered Mojave Desert tortoise. The byway and other routes offer access to outdoor recreation, including hiking, horseback riding and camping.
Photo by Bob Wick / @mypubliclands
Featured image: A solar energy project, BLM California via Flickr