Trump pauses renewable energy approvals on public lands, waters
The Trump administration is pausing approvals for new renewable energy projects on public lands and in public waters.
The Interior Department quietly issued an order Monday that blocks activities that enable renewable development on federally-owned lands or offshore.
For 60 days, the government will not issue any leases, rights of way, contracts or “any other agreement required to allow for renewable energy development.”
The directive was signed by acting Interior Secretary Walter Cruickshank, who is helming the agency until President Trump's nominee Doug Burgum is confirmed by the Senate.
The order says that its purpose is to implement “a targeted and time-limited elevation of relevant decisions at the Department of the Interior … for the purpose of reviewing the questions in fact, law, and policy they raise.”
It comes as Trump has launched an assault on wind energy in particular, issuing an executive order that pauses new approvals for wind energy. But applying the pause to renewables broadly is an escalation — pausing solar energy action as well.
Despite his apparent distaste for wind energy, Trump has also expressed that the nation needs more energy — even issuing an emergency declaration Monday. He is expected to promote fossil fuels — particularly oil and gas — in light of the issue.
During the start of his tenure, former President Biden halted new approvals for oil and gas on federal lands.
Athan Manuel, director of Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program, criticized the Trump move, saying in a written statement that “blocking the fastest growing sources of low-cost energy is an odd way to respond to an ‘energy emergency.’”
“The real energy emergency is Donald Trump’s job-killing actions that will raise our energy bills while lining the pockets of his wealthy corporate polluter buddies,” he added.
-
Trump halts new renewables on public lands
{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story Trump pauses renewables approvals on public land, water The Trump administration is pausing approvals for new renewable energy ...The Hill - 2h -
Trump says he will use energy emergency declaration to approve more power for AI
President Trump said Thursday that he will use his energy emergency declaration to approve power stations for artificial intelligence (AI) centers. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Trump said: ...The Hill - 1d -
Trump’s health department cancels meetings and pauses communications
Health and Human Services is expected to be overhauled as Robert F Kennedy Jr waits to take department’s reins. US politics live – latest updates . Trump administration appointees are ...The Guardian - 1d -
Richard Branson Calls Renewable Energy ‘Unstoppable’ After Trump Pulls U.S. From Paris Agreement
‘Powering the world with clean energy is common sense,’ Branson wrote. Here’s what’s behind his comments.Inc. - 2d -
The fight over land holding back India’s green energy revolution
Competing demand for space is leading to bitter disputes between companies and the people who rely on farming to make a livingFinancial Times - 3d -
Trump declares energy emergency
President Trump has declared an energy emergency, which his team has said would unlock additional powers to jump-start production. Speaking about the declaration from behind the desk of the Oval ...The Hill - 3d -
US announces $1.2 billion to help finance renewable energy projects in Puerto Rico
The U.S. Department of Energy says it's setting aside $1.2 billion in federal funds to help finance renewable energy projects in Puerto Rico to reduce its dependence on fossil fuelsABC News - Jan. 17 -
Inside Trump’s renewed interest to acquire Greenland for US
President-elect Donald Trump said he would not rule out the use of American military force to seize control of Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump is not the ...NBC News - Jan. 12
More from The Hill
-
Trump signs actions curtailing federal funding for abortion
President Trump on Friday took a pair of actions to limit U.S. government funding for abortions, reversing some of the Biden administration's efforts to increase access to the procedure. Trump ...The Hill - 43m -
Another Jan. 6 rioter rejects Trump's pardon: 'I did those things'
Another Jan. 6 rioter has rejected President Trump’s pardon, saying that he “did those things” and his actions do not merit forgiveness. “It's almost like he was trying to say it didn't happen. ...The Hill - 1h -
Anti-RFK Jr. ads target GOP senators
Click in for more news from The Hill {beacon} Health Care Health Care The Big Story Anti-RFK Jr. ads target GOP senators A progressive nonprofit is ramping up its campaign to convince senators ...The Hill - 1h -
Trump, Newsom enjoy friendly greeting, suggest they can work together
President Trump greeted California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) with a very friendly exchange when he landed in the Los Angeles area to survey wildfire damage, after the two have sparred over relief ...The Hill - 1h -
Live updates: Trump, Newsom enjoy friendly greeting as president lands in California
President Trump enjoyed a friendly greeting with California Gov. Gavin Newsom as he landed Friday evening in California to view the devastation from the greater Los Angeles wildfires. The two ...The Hill - 1h
More in Politics
-
Jan. 6 prosecutors describe 'shocking,' 'guttural' week after Trump's pardons
WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors in the now-disbanded Capitol Siege Section of the D.C. U.S. attorney's office spent much of the last four years prosecuting cases against Jan. 6 rioters.NBC News - 35m -
Secretary of State Marco Rubio orders halt to almost all U.S. foreign aid
The directive follows President Donald Trump’s executive order Monday pausing new obligations and disbursements of foreign aid pending review.NBC News - 42m -
Trump signs actions curtailing federal funding for abortion
President Trump on Friday took a pair of actions to limit U.S. government funding for abortions, reversing some of the Biden administration's efforts to increase access to the procedure. Trump ...The Hill - 43m -
In hurricane-ravaged North Carolina, Trump suggests that FEMA should be overhauled or shut down
On a visit to a North Carolina neighborhood destroyed by Hurricane Helene, President Trump was highly critical of FEMA, suggesting it should be shut down. Trump arrived late Friday in Los Angeles ...NBC News - 1h -
Another Jan. 6 rioter rejects Trump's pardon: 'I did those things'
Another Jan. 6 rioter has rejected President Trump’s pardon, saying that he “did those things” and his actions do not merit forgiveness. “It's almost like he was trying to say it didn't happen. ...The Hill - 1h