Donald Trump froze billions last month, and the Biden-Harris administration is confiding with renewable energy projects. [emphasis, links added]
Although wind and solar are the cheapest forms of energy, traditional media screamed that the freeze of funds puts renewable energy development at risk.
Federal judge temporarily blocked the order before the Trump administration revoked it, but some reports, such as this New York Times The Republican area will be the hardest hit by Trump's move, argued.
This is based on the data from the Clean Economy Tracker, which shows that most of the funds are pouring into rural areas.
Not surprisingly, rural areas will be home to many renewable energy projects, Because wind and solar energy are some of the most land-intensive forms of energy.
This makes residents of rich rural areas tend to be conservative and attractive to renewable projects.
However, people living in these areas do not welcome rapid industrialization of their communities.
Energy expert Robert Bryce's Renewable Denied Database has been tracking rejections for wind and solar projects since 2015. Ten years later, the database estimated 775 renewable energy projects, which were knocked down due to community opposition.
A study published by the Sabin Climate Change Law Center at Columbia University in June concluded that Local opposition is becoming a major obstacle to the renewable energy industry's ability to build wind and solar farms nationwide.
Central control
Some states are trying to limit local controls to push projects without local laws and zoning restrictions.
The strictest is Michigan law, part of its goal to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2040.
The opponent has been shocked since the law was passed. Michigan resident Kevon Martis helped organize an initiative to overturn the law that did not get enough signatures to vote. …
November, Seven counties and 72 townships filed lawsuits, concluding the Michigan Public Service Commission exceeding its rules’ powers.
Renewable energy backers are not satisfied with the lawsuit. Heat mapPublications advocating for the wind and solar industry warn that the lawsuit “threats Michigan’s allowance of reform laws.”
Michigan houses flipped Republicans in November’s general election, Republican lawmakers have proposed two bills seeking to return more power to local governments. …
National efforts
New York and Illinois, as well as other states with 100% carbon-free energy targets, have limited local control to prevent community opposition from obstructing net zero plans.
At this year's meeting, the Virginia Legislature considered two bills that restrict local control. The state's lawmakers let one of the bills die before the deadline, but there is another bill.
The bill, Falville Pioneerremove the language from state regulations that allow local governments to allow solar projects.
This will effectively work like Michigan’s laws, requiring local statutes to comply with state regulations.
Indiana has a voluntary law that provides general information on renewable development. Communities that implement policies that are friendly to renewable energy development have received incentive payments for online projects.
However, some state lawmakers are seeking legislation to limit renewable energy development.
Oklahoma Legislature's bill Limits the distance between wind farms and airports, schools and hospitals.
A bill in Arizona Limit the distance between the wind farm and someone's property without consent. …
Mattis says Renewable energy projects will face such opposition anywhereand writing about the law of “highly offensive land use” for communities that do not want them is a “social disease”.
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