Red tape overload: Lombardo says Feds are killing Nevada solar

By Kristen Kniep  

Nevada News and Views

Nevada has long been a bright spot for solar energy, especially with all the open land and sunny days — but that bright spot just got a lot dimmer.

New rules from the federal government are putting major clean energy projects on hold, and Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo — a Republican — is sounding the alarm.

In a recent letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Lombardo warned that the federal red tape is “freezing” dozens of solar and wind projects that were already in the works.

And this isn’t just about a few power lines or permits.

We’re talking about the kind of projects that could power entire communities, bring new jobs to rural towns, and strengthen Nevada’s energy independence.

What’s Causing the Hold-Up?

On July 15, Secretary Burgum, who is carrying out President Trump’s energy agenda, issued a rule that puts 69 different types of permitting actions on hold.

Everything from issuing environmental reviews to simply giving developers the green light to start work now needs Burgum’s personal OK.

Then, on August 4, he added a new rule requiring all wind and solar projects to meet strict “capacity density” standards.

In plain terms, this rule judges projects based on how much power they produce compared to how much land they use.

Since solar and wind usually need more land than fossil fuel plants, this move heavily favors coal, gas, and nuclear.

Even projects already approved (like the Rough Hat Clark Solar Project in southern Nevada, which was supposed to power 120,000 homes) are now in limbo.

Why This Is Important

Nevada is one of the top states in the country for solar energy potential.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, over 18 percent of our state’s electricity already comes from solar. With more federal land than any other state outside of Alaska, we’ve got the space to grow.

That’s part of why Biden-era programs like the Inflation Reduction Act poured millions into clean energy projects here, including solar farms and lithium mining to support electric vehicle production.

But now those projects are being delayed or stopped entirely.

That’s not just a hit to the environment. It’s a threat to Nevada’s economy, especially in rural counties like Nye and Esmeralda where these projects mean jobs, tax revenue, and better infrastructure.

Even Republican-leaning mining towns that have welcomed these new energy investments could suffer.

Lombardo vs. Washington

Governor Lombardo isn’t usually one to criticize a Republican-led federal agency, but in this case he’s taking a stand.

In his letter to Burgum, Lombardo warned that the new restrictions are creating “significant uncertainty” for investors and developers.

He urged the Interior Department to roll back the rules before more damage is done.

Lombardo’s pushback shows that even in a red state, clean energy isn’t a partisan issue. It’s about jobs, growth, and making smart use of our land and resources.

Who Else Is Speaking Out?

Lombardo isn’t the only one raising concerns. Democratic Senators like Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) have also called on Burgum to cancel the July 15 directive.

They argue it blocks clean, affordable energy at a time when Americans are still feeling the pinch from high utility bills.

Meanwhile, the renewable energy industry is getting ready to fight back.

Developers have spent millions on permits, surveys, and environmental studies. Now they’re being told to wait — or worse, start over.

What Comes Next?

The battle isn’t just about Nevada. It’s part of a bigger national fight over what kind of energy future we want.

President Trump’s “energy dominance” policy focuses on fossil fuels and “baseload” energy like coal and nuclear.

His team says solar and wind are too unpredictable and take up too much land. Critics say that’s just an excuse to slow down the clean energy movement.

For Nevada, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Projects are stalled. Jobs are on the line. The clock is ticking.

Gov. Lombardo’s message is clear: Clean energy is good for Nevada, and Washington’s rules are getting in the way.

Whether Burgum and the Interior Department back off — or whether it ends up in court — could shape the future of Nevada’s energy economy for years to come.