Trump Approves Wind Projects to Win Over Democrats on Permitting Reform
The Trump administration has approved wind projects in Maine and South Dakota in an attempt to ease resistance among Senate Democrats to advancing a bipartisan permitting reform bill that could prove essential to President Donald Trump’s ambitions for energy and artificial intelligence.
TL;DR
- The Trump administration approved wind projects in Maine and South Dakota.
- This move is intended to ease resistance among Senate Democrats regarding a bipartisan permitting reform bill.
- The Department of War cleared these projects after determining they pose no national security concerns.
- The Pentagon had been criticized for stalling military reviews of wind farms, which are usually routine.
- A federal judge previously ruled against the department's delays, costing states billions.
- Advancing these projects may serve as a gesture of good faith towards Democrats concerned about fair implementation of permitting reform for renewables.
- Senator Sheldon Whitehouse expressed concern that the Department of Justice's actions could jeopardize the permitting deal.
- The White House asserts it has done everything it promised and blames Democrats for potential failure of the bill.