U.S. — Permitting changes and federal funding withdrawals led to the cancellation of 7 gigawatts of generating capacity on federal land in 2025, according to a study by Wood Mackenzie. The study indicates that permitting delays pushed by the Trump administration threaten to derail 92 gigawatts of clean power.

An August 2025 order from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum sought to "reign in environmentally damaging wind and solar projects." Wood Mackenzie reports that this additional scrutiny could lead to the cancellation of another 12 gigawatts of generating capacity on federal land and 80 gigawatts on private property.

The Wood Mackenzie report found that energy storage projects have also been canceled. Federal challenges affect more than $121 billion in investment in the energy sector. Permitting issues are concentrated in Oregon, Alabama, Maine, Minnesota, and Montana.

Solar projects located on or near private wetlands are considered to be at risk of cancellation. The Trump administration previously lifted protections for 80% of U.S. wetlands. Wind farms have faced scrutiny under airspace regulations.

Doug Burgum served as governor of North Dakota, where he oversaw an expansion of wind power and set a target for the state to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030. In 2024, Burgum stated that North Dakota's wind resources produced one-third of the state's electricity in 2022.

Why It Matters

The cancellations and potential for further project halts impact the overall clean energy capacity in the United States, affecting both federal and private lands. The directives from the Interior Department under the Trump administration indicate a shift in regulatory focus regarding renewable energy. The reported financial impacts suggest potential consequences for investments within the energy sector, particularly in states identified with concentrated permitting issues.