Trump administration targets wind, solar subsidies with oversight changes

Big Green just got a reality check. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has rolled out a bold new directive to clamp down on what it sees as unfair advantages for wind and solar projects, signaling a major shift in energy policy under the Trump administration.

On Thursday, the Trump DOI unveiled a plan for stricter oversight of decisions tied to new wind and solar developments, aiming to scrap perceived favoritism from prior policies while promoting more dependable energy sources like coal and natural gas, as Fox News reports.

This move didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s rooted in an executive order signed by President Donald Trump earlier in July, titled “Ending Market Distorting Subsidies for Unreliable, Foreign-Controlled Energy Sources,” which set the tone for dismantling what the administration calls a subsidy-dependent system.

Ending the era of green handouts

The DOI’s latest directive isn’t just a tweak — it’s a full-on overhaul of review processes. Senior leadership, right up to the secretary’s office, will now have the final say on everything from leases to construction plans for these projects. Talk about keeping a tight leash!

In a press release, the DOI didn’t mince words, labeling wind and solar as “unreliable” and hooked on taxpayer dollars. It’s a sharp jab at policies from the Biden era, which sources say tilted the scales heavily in favor of so-called green energy.

“Today’s actions further deliver on President Trump’s promise to tackle the Green New Scam and protect the American taxpayers’ dollars,” said Adam Suess, acting assistant secretary for Lands and Minerals Management. Well, if the shoe fits — it turns out endless handouts don’t make for sustainable energy after all.

Leveling the energy playing field

The goal here, according to the DOI, is to create fair competition for energy sources like clean coal and domestic natural gas, which they argue are more cost-effective and secure. This isn’t about punishing anyone; it’s about ensuring the grid doesn’t collapse when the wind stops blowing.

President Trump himself weighed in through the executive order, stating, “For too long, the federal government has forced American taxpayers to subsidize expensive and unreliable energy sources like wind and solar.” Ouch — that’s a burn hotter than a coal furnace, and it’s hard to argue when the numbers don’t add up.

He went on, saying, “The proliferation of these projects displaces affordable, reliable, dispatchable domestic energy sources, compromises our electric grid, and denigrates the beauty of our Nation’s natural landscape.” It’s a stark reminder that not every shiny idea looks so pretty up close.

Subsidies out, security in

Trump’s executive order didn’t stop there. “Moreover, reliance on so-called ‘green’ subsidies threatens national security by making the United States dependent on supply chains controlled by foreign adversaries,” he declared. That’s a wake-up call — energy independence isn’t just a slogan; it’s a necessity.

The DOI echoed this sentiment, with Suess noting, “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.” Sounds like someone’s finally reading the fine print on those green deals.

This directive also ties into the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which mandates the elimination of right-of-way and capacity fee discounts for wind and solar projects. The DOI claims this will end years of footing the bill for energy development that just doesn’t pencil out economically.

A return to common sense

As the DOI put it in their press release, “These actions mark a return to commonsense permitting standards that support national security, grid stability and American job creation.” It’s a refreshing pivot away from policies that seemed more about optics than outcomes.

Let’s be real — nobody is against clean energy in theory, but when it comes at the expense of reliability and national strength, it’s time to rethink the playbook. The Trump administration’s latest moves are a calculated push to prioritize what works over what feels good, and that’s a debate worth having.

So, as the DOI tightens the screws on wind and solar, the message is clear: energy policy should serve the nation, not special interests. Call it tough love, but sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed to get back on track. After all, a stable grid and secure future aren’t just nice-to-haves — they’re non-negotiable.