The Trump administration has officially ended preferential treatment for wind and solar energy, a move welcomed by energy experts and aligned with the President’s “American Energy Dominance” agenda. The Department of the Interior announced Thursday that subsidies and regulatory favoritism for wind and solar projects will be revoked, citing the need for grid reliability, energy security, and taxpayer accountability.
Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Director of the Center for Energy, Climate and Environment at The Heritage Foundation, called the decision long overdue. She pointed out that while solar and wind may appear cost-effective, they require expensive backups due to their intermittent nature. “Solar and wind are reliable when the sun shines and the wind blows, but this does not happen all the time,” she said. “Backups add to the cost.”
Connecting renewable energy sources to the grid also drives up costs. Furchtgott-Roth highlighted a stark example: in 2024, Californians paid 32 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity, compared to just 11 cents in Utah, which does not mandate renewables. She warned that higher energy costs stoke inflation and discourage domestic manufacturing.
Environmental costs are also a concern. Wind turbines kill birds and solar panels consume large amounts of land, limiting its use for agriculture and other purposes. Furchtgott-Roth also criticized China’s dominant role in producing components for these energy sources, citing coal-powered factories and allegations of forced labor.
The new Interior policy removes long-standing subsidies and fee discounts, requiring elevated review of all wind and solar projects by the Office of the Secretary. Acting Assistant Secretary Adam Suess stated the reforms “further deliver on President Trump’s promise to tackle the Green New Scam.”
The American Council on Renewable Energy criticized the decision, warning it could drive up energy prices and create uncertainty. However, Trump officials argue the reforms restore fairness and reliability to America’s energy future.
