Wind generators function at a wind farm close to solar panels close to Palm Springs, California, on March 6, 2024.
Mario Tama | Getty Images
President Donald Trump on Wednesday mentioned his administration will not approve solar or wind power projects, at the same time as electrical energy demand is outpacing the provision in some elements of the U.S.
“We will not approve wind or farmer destroying Solar,” Trump, who has complained previously that solar takes up an excessive amount of land, posted on Truth Social. “The days of stupidity are over in the USA!!!”
The president’s remark comes after the administration tightened federal permitting for renewables final month. The allowing course of is now centralized in Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s workplace.
Renewable corporations concern that projects will now not obtain permits that have been as soon as regular course of enterprise. The president’s feedback Wednesday will probably heighten these issues.
Trump blamed renewables for rising electrical energy costs within the U.S. Prices have risen on the nation’s largest grid, PJM Interconnection, as quickly rising demand from knowledge facilities and different industries faces a good power provide as assets corresponding to coal vegetation are retired.
PJM Interconnection noticed costs for brand new power capability rise 22% in comparison with final yr in an public sale held final month. PJM covers 13 states throughout the Mid-Atlantic and elements of the Midwest and South.
But solar and battery storage are the power sources that may ease the supply-and-demand hole the quickest, as they make up an awesome majority of the projects in line to connect with the grid, in accordance with knowledge from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Trump has launched a sweeping assault on renewables since taking workplace. His One Big Beautiful Bill Act terminates the funding and manufacturing tax credit for wind and solar by the top of 2027. Those credit have performed a key function within the growth of renewable power within the U.S.
The president’s metal and copper tariffs have additionally elevated the prices of solar and wind projects, renewable corporations say.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday ended its help for solar on farmland.
