The U.S. Department of the Interior has issued a new directive to assess large-scale wind and solar energy projects, aligning with the Trump administration’s focus on curbing so-called ‘bird cemeteries.’ Under the order from Secretary Doug Burgum, a new ‘capacity density’ metric has been introduced to evaluate the efficiency and environmental impacts of these projects. Burgum emphasized the importance of energy generation optimization to better manage federal lands, minimize environmental impact, and maximize energy development, aligning with President Trump’s broader energy goals.
The directive highlights the need for domestic energy production to ensure national security, particularly against the backdrop of recent criticisms of ‘artificially stimulated’ renewable energy projects that are seen as destabilizing the electric grid. The order also acknowledges the potential criminal repercussions for harming wildlife, including the potential felony status of killing a single bald eagle, which Trump highlighted as being disproportionately applied compared to the environmental impact of wind turbines.
During a 2019 speech, Trump lambasted wind energy projects that lead to undue killing of birds and other wildlife. He noted that it is a potentially felonious federal crime for a human to kill a single bald eagle, but that windmills likely have killed ‘hundreds’ without repercussions. This has led to the term ‘bird cemeteries’ being used as a label for wind and solar energy installations, with Trump comparing them to graveyards for birds, a metaphor that has sparked significant debate and criticism from environmental groups and renewable energy advocates.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Energy Information Administration utilized capacity density to determine that an advanced nuclear energy plant produces 33 megawatts (MW) per acre compared to an offshore windmill installation producing 0.006 MW/acre – making the nuke plant 5,500 times more efficient than an entire wind farm. This data has been cited in support of the Interior Department’s new order, which aims to prioritize projects that offer greater energy output per unit area, thus maximizing the efficiency and sustainability of energy production.
Furthermore, the directive has sparked discussions about the balance between environmental conservation and energy development. While the administration promotes the idea of optimizing land use and minimizing environmental impact, critics argue that this approach may overlook long-term ecological consequences. Environmental organizations have expressed concerns that the new scrutiny could stifle innovation in renewable energy and hinder progress toward national climate goals. However, the administration maintains that these measures are necessary to protect both the environment and the national interest by ensuring a stable and secure energy supply.
During the 2016 campaign, Trump criticized Hillary Clinton’s support for green energy, quipping that putting a windmill near one’s home drops the property value by three-quarters. This sentiment has been echoed in the current directive, which frames renewable energy projects as economically burdensome and environmentally disruptive. The new order is seen as a continuation of the Trump administration’s efforts to promote traditional energy sources such as oil and gas while maintaining a skeptical stance toward renewable energy initiatives.
As the Interior Department moves forward with implementing these new guidelines, the impact on the energy sector remains to be seen. Analysts suggest that the order may lead to a shift in investment priorities, potentially favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy. However, the long-term effects of this policy will depend on the regulatory landscape and the balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship. Nonetheless, the directive underscores the ongoing political and economic debates surrounding energy production in the United States, reflecting the broader ideological divisions over the role of government in shaping the nation’s energy future.