U.S. Solar Companies Press Congress to Reverse Trump-Era Permit Freeze as Projects Stall

More than 140 U.S. solar companies are calling on Congress to overturn a Trump administration policy that has effectively halted permitting for solar projects across the country. In a letter sent Thursday to top congressional leaders, the companies warned that the Interior Department’s tightened scrutiny of permits has created widespread uncertainty, threatening investment and slowing clean energy deployment at a time of rising national electricity demand. The companies said Interior’s actions amount to “a nearly complete moratorium on permitting,” stressing that businesses need predictable regulatory conditions to continue investing in large-scale solar infrastructure. The concerns stem from a July memo issued by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, which requires his personal approval for dozens of categories of solar permits. The mandate affects not only projects on federal land but also those on private land that require federal consultation, vastly expanding the scope of delays. Industry groups say the impact has been immediate and severe. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, more than 500 solar projects face potential delays or cancellation under the new bottleneck. The coalition of 143 signatory companies spans developers, installers, manufacturers, and power providers—underscoring the breadth of industry frustration. The memo is part of a wider set of restrictions introduced this year as the administration pushes back against wind and solar projects, which President Trump has frequently criticized as unreliable and heavily subsidized. The Interior Department has not yet commented on the companies’ letter.