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The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) said Thursday it was adding “enhanced oversight” of agency decisions about new wind and solar projects in an effort to end “favoritism” of these “unreliable” and “subsidy-dependent” energy systems from the previous administration.
The new directive updates review procedures that will require senior leadership at the Interior Department, including the office of the secretary, to conduct a final review of any relevant decisions, including leases, rights-of-way, construction and operation plans, grants, consultations and biological opinions.
“Today’s actions further deliver on President Trump’s promise to tackle the Green New Scam and protect the American taxpayers’ dollars,” said acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management Adam Suess.
“American energy dominance is driven by U.S.-based production of reliable baseload energy, not regulatory favoritism towards unreliable energy projects that are solely dependent on taxpayer subsidies and foreign-sourced equipment.”
DOUG BURGUM EXPLAINS HOW WIND AND SOLAR DO NOT ‘RUN AMERICA’
The Trump administration is seeking to level the playing field between wind and solar energy and other forms of energy production, like coal and natural gas. (Getty Images/AP)
A source familiar with the DOI’s new enhanced oversight directive said the agency had serious concerns the Biden administration gave preferential treatment for permitting to new wind and solar projects, which a DOI press release Thursday described as “unreliable” forms of energy.
The press release argued that, with the removal of “artificial advantages,” the Trump administration is “leveling the playing field” for “dispatchable, cost-effective and secure energy sources, such as clean coal and domestic natural gas.”
“These actions mark a return to commonsense permitting standards that support national security, grid stability and American job creation,” the…
