MAGA Using Laws Passed By Democrats To Upend Renewable Energy Projects - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica discusses how laws and environmental protections originally established by progressive lawmakers to safeguard wildlife and public lands are now being exploited by MAGA-aligned officials and fossil fuel interests to hinder renewable energy projects. These laws, such as the Federal Land Policy and Management Act’s prohibition against “unnecessary or undue degradation,” are being weaponized to block wind and solar developments. Critics argue this is an abuse of environmental regulations, turning tools meant to protect nature into obstacles for clean energy expansion. A key example highlighted is the Interior Department’s recent capacity density order, which sets strict limits on how much energy can be generated per unit of land. This metric, focusing narrowly on energy density, is criticized for ignoring the broader environmental and economic benefits of renewables. Experts point out that renewable installations can be removed and land restored relatively quickly, unlike fossil fuel infrastructure that causes long-term contamination. The article suggests that this approach by the Department of the Interior effectively acts as a ban on renewable projects on federal lands