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In a move that has sparked backlash from renewable energy advocates, the Trump administration has paused approvals for all new renewable energy projects on federally owned lands and waters for 60 days. Signed by Acting Interior Secretary Walter Cruickshank, the order blocks any leases, rights of way, contracts, or agreements required for renewable energy development during the review period.
The directive states its purpose is to provide “a targeted and time-limited elevation of relevant decisions” to assess issues of fact, law, and policy surrounding renewable energy projects. This pause marks a significant escalation of the administration’s approach to prioritize fossil fuels, applying broadly to all renewable energy sources, including wind and solar power.
President Trump’s criticisms of wind energy have been well-documented, and he recently signed an executive order specifically halting new wind energy approvals. However, by extending this pause to all renewable energy projects, the administration signals its focus on traditional energy sources such as oil and gas.
Trump recently declared an energy emergency, claiming the nation requires increased energy production. Critics argue this justification is contradictory, as renewable energy represents one of the fastest-growing and most cost-effective energy sectors in the U.S.
Trump’s energy priorities stand in stark contrast to those of former President Joe Biden, who paused new oil and gas leases on federal lands early in his presidency to combat climate change.
Athan Manuel, director of Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program, criticized the move, saying, “Blocking the fastest-growing sources of low-cost energy is an odd way to respond to an ‘energy emergency.’” He added, “The real energy emergency is Donald Trump’s job-killing actions that will raise energy bills while lining the pockets of his wealthy corporate polluter allies.”
The directive also impacts offshore renewable energy projects, a growing sector that has seen significant investment in recent years. Renewable energy advocates argue that delaying such projects undermines the nation’s ability to transition to cleaner energy sources and combat climate change effectively.
The pause follows broader efforts by the Trump administration to roll back environmental regulations and promote fossil fuels. Trump has repeatedly argued that traditional energy sources are more reliable and essential to the economy, despite evidence showing the renewable energy sector’s rapid growth in both job creation and cost efficiency.
The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) called the pause a “disastrous step backward” in addressing climate change. In a statement, the NRDC said, “This administration has shown time and again that it is willing to prioritize corporate polluters over the health of our planet and future generations.”
Supporters of the pause within the fossil fuel industry praised the move, arguing that renewable energy projects have received excessive government subsidies and regulatory favoritism. They claim this review period will ensure “balanced and fair” energy policies.
The decision comes during the early days of Trump’s second term, with Acting Interior Secretary Walter Cruickshank leading the agency until Trump’s nominee, Doug Burgum, is confirmed by the Senate. Meanwhile, the administration has been accelerating efforts to expand oil and gas drilling on public lands and waters, further fueling criticism from environmental groups.
The 60-day renewable energy pause has intensified the ongoing debate over the U.S. energy policy, with sharp divisions between those advocating for a cleaner energy future and those prioritizing traditional fossil fuel industries.
