A group of 143 US companies specialising in solar energy has sent a joint letter to key congressional leaders, requesting the repeal of a directive from the Department of the Interior that effectively imposes a moratorium on permits related to solar projects. The document, issued in July, requires the personal approval of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for a wide range of permit applications.
Regulatory freeze on solar permits
The measure affects both projects located on federal lands and those on private lands involving federal resources or requiring federal consultation. According to the signatories, the administrative requirement is leading to extended delays and legal uncertainty, hindering investment. “Businesses need certainty in order to continue making investments in the United States to build out much-needed energy projects,” the letter stated, addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, among others.
Over 500 projects facing delays
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, more than 500 projects are at risk of cancellation or postponement due to the freeze. The signatories include developers, installers, equipment manufacturers and power providers operating nationwide. The sector fears a knock-on effect on supply chains and employment, in the context of growing energy demand.
Targeted policy against solar and wind
The directive is part of a series of restrictive measures taken by the current administration, which considers solar energy to be unreliable, costly and overly subsidised. The government has increased regulatory oversight of renewable energy projects, also affecting the wind power sector. This political shift is raising concerns among economic players, as energy project planning requires several years of preparation and financial commitment.
