Solar, wind projects on US lands will get extra scrutiny

July 17 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration said on Thursday that decisions related to solar and wind energy projects on federal lands will be reviewed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's office to end what calls preferential treatment for renewable energy sources.

The added scrutiny is aligned with Trump's pledge to undo the clean energy and climate change policies of former President Joe Biden.

Solar and wind companies said the move was at odds with Trump's broader goal to slash burdensome regulations and boost domestic energy to fuel the nation's artificial intelligence ambitions.

The Interior Department said in a statement that the additional reviews would apply to rights-of-way, leases, construction and operations plans and other project permitting activities.

The announcement is the latest in a string of government measures aimed at restricting wind and solar energy. Trump's sweeping tax and spending law, passed this month, accelerates by several years the phase-out of tax credits for wind and solar projects. Trump also directed federal agencies to tighten the rules on who can claim incentives.

Solar and wind accounted for the vast majority of new electricity generation added to the grid last year. Trump says they are unreliable and expensive.

Most U.S. solar and wind facilities are built on private land because historically it has been costlier and more time-consuming to permit projects on federal lands.

The Biden administration sought to boost investment on public lands by finalizing deep fee reductions for wind and solar projects. The Trump administration has sought to reverse those cuts.

"Today's actions further deliver on President Trump's promise to tackle the Green New Scam and protect the American taxpayers' dollars," Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management Adam Suess said in a statement.

“American Energy Dominance is driven by U.S.-based production of reliable baseload energy, not regulatory favoritism towards unreliable energy projects that are solely dependent on taxpayer subsidies and foreign-sourced equipment,” Suess said.

The American Clean Power Association, which represents renewable energy developers, said the new policy would add layers of bureaucracy.

"The recently released memo from the Interior Department is a bewildering departure from the administration’s promise to bring down energy prices and make America competitive in the race against China for AI and data centers," Jason Grumet, ACP's chief executive, said in a statement.