Burgum Scales Back Wind and Solar Projects on Federal Land

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed an order on Aug. 1 to rein in “environmentally damaging” wind and solar power projects and ensure that federal lands are used optimally for energy initiatives.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) is legally required to ensure that land use decisions are “judicious,” the agency said in an a statement. This requirement raises the question of whether allocating federal lands for wind and solar projects is permissible, given their high land requirement and the blockage of other land uses, according to the agency.

“One advanced nuclear plant … produces 33.17 megawatts (MW) per acre, while one offshore wind farm produces approximately 0.006 MW/acre, which is approximately 5,500 times less efficient than one nuclear plant,” the DOI stated.

Because there are alternatives that can generate the same amount or a higher amount of energy by using less federal land, power projects based on solar or wind power “may unnecessarily and unduly degrade federal lands,” according to the agency.

The DOI stated that unreliable energy projects such as wind and solar are inefficient uses of land compared with coal, gas, and nuclear.

The DOI stated it “shall only permit those energy projects that are the most appropriate land use when compared to a reasonable range of project alternatives,” the order states.

“Gargantuan, unreliable, intermittent energy projects hold America back from achieving U.S. Energy Dominance while weighing heavily on the American taxpayer and environment,” Burgum said.

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“By considering energy generation optimization, the Department will be able to better manage our federal lands, minimize environmental impact, and maximize energy development to further President Donald Trump’s energy goals. This commonsense order ensures our nation is stronger, our land use is optimized, and the American people are properly informed.”

On July 29, the agency stated that it was implementing four policy measures to end special treatment for wind projects, including considering terminating the designation of 3.5 million acres for wind power.

In a July 31 statement, environmental group Sierra Club blamed the Trump administration for obstructing wind energy development in the country.

Bergum tackles energy reliability

Burgum’s order also referenced a July 7 report issued by the Department of Energy that evaluated the reliability and security of the U.S. electric grid.

The report highlights that 104 gigawatts of firm power generation—power generated at all times, such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear—are scheduled to be retired by the end of this decade without any timely replacement.

“[This could] lead to significant outages when weather conditions do not accommodate wind and solar generation,” the report reads.

“Modeling shows annual outage hours could increase from single digits today to more than 800 hours per year. Such a surge would leave millions of households and businesses vulnerable. We must renew a focus on firm generation and continue to reverse radical green ideology in order to address this risk.”

Over the past decade, many utilities have shuttered reliable energy production facilities, such as clean coal, in favor of wind and solar farms. Critics say this reduced the amount of reliable energy across the country and contributed to rate hikes for most U.S. customers.

By Naveen Athrappully