143 Solar Firms Urge Congress to Address Interior Policy Slowing Permits and Threatening Clean Energy Projects

A coalition of 143 solar energy companies has called on the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to work with the Department of the Interior (DOI) to reverse a permitting policy that the industry says has effectively halted approval of new solar projects nationwide.

In a letter sent to Congressional leadership, the companies warned that a July memorandum issued by the DOI has created major delays by prioritizing certain preferred energy sources and triggering what they describe as a “near moratorium” on solar permitting. The companies argue the directive is being applied broadly across federal and private lands, affecting projects regardless of size or impact.

“Businesses need certainty in order to continue making investments in the United States to build out much-needed energy projects,” the letter states. “Certainty must include a review process that does not discriminate by energy source.”

According to the industry letter, the memo’s implementation has stalled multiple categories of reviews — including DOI permitting for federal land projects, advisory roles in non-DOI agency reviews, and permits needed for private land projects involving endangered species compliance, water crossings, wildlife protections, or rights-of-way through federal land. Industry representatives say the impact extends to hundreds of utility-scale solar developments already in planning.

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper said addressing the permitting issue is now critical to maintaining industry momentum.

“For America’s solar industry, permitting reform starts with permit certainty,” Hopper said. “Without action to address this unequal treatment of solar energy, the industry will continue to face significant barriers at a time of skyrocketing energy demand.”

Hopper acknowledged ongoing congressional negotiations on reform but said current legislative proposals, including the recently advanced SPEED Act, fail to resolve the core regulatory issue.

“There is an agreement to be reached,” she said. “But the current status of this blockade is unsustainable.”

Last month, SEIA released an analysis showing more than 500 planned solar projects nationwide are at risk of delay or cancellation because of regulatory barriers.

The industry is now urging Congress to revoke the July memo or push the DOI to provide short-term guidance to prevent further disruption. The companies say consistent and neutral permitting rules are necessary to support investment and ensure the U.S. meets clean energy demand driven by sectors such as data centers and artificial intelligence.