PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Interior Department issued a new order targeting large-scale wind and solar projects, citing inefficiency, environmental impact, and grid instability.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary Doug Burgum, President Donald Trump, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

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📍WHEN & WHERE: The order was revealed Tuesday, August 5, 2025, and impacts federal land management across the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Gargantuan, unreliable, intermittent energy projects hold America back from achieving U.S. energy dominance while weighing heavily on the American taxpayer and environment,” said Doug Burgum.

🎯IMPACT: The order could limit the expansion of wind and solar projects, focusing instead on energy sources with higher efficiency and reliability.

The Interior Department has taken new steps to evaluate energy projects on federal lands based on their efficiency and environmental impact. Secretary Doug Burgum issued an order using a “capacity density” formula to measure the space and reliability of energy installations, with a particular focus on wind and solar projects.

“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, announcing the new initiative. The order aligns with President Donald J. Trump’s energy goals, emphasizing the optimization of land use and the minimization of environmental impacts.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) found that advanced nuclear plants produce significantly more energy per acre compared to wind farms, with nuclear energy being 5,500 times more efficient. Burgum’s order highlights the displacement of reliable energy sources by “artificially stimulated” wind and solar projects, which he says have destabilized the electric grid.

President Trump has long criticized wind energy for its environmental toll, including the killing of birds. “If you love birds, you’d never want to walk under a windmill because it’s a very sad, sad sight. It’s like a cemetery,” Trump remarked during a past speech.

The order also touches on national security concerns, noting the importance of a stable domestic energy production framework. Burgum emphasized the need for commonsense policies that strengthen the nation while keeping the public informed.

Image by Patrick Briggs.

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