Trump Vows to Block Wind and Solar Projects Citing Rising Energy Costs

President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that he will not approve wind or solar projects that harm farmers. He claims that states relying on wind and solar energy are seeing record-breaking increases in electricity and energy costs. Trump calls it "the scam of the century" and says "the days of stupidity are over in the USA." Publicly traded companies in the solar energy space include Array Technologies, Canadian Solar, and Sunrun.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will no longer support solar and wind projects on productive farmland. This decision, made by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, is part of a series of actions by the Trump administration aimed at stalling the development of wind and solar energy [1].

The USDA has previously provided over $2 billion for renewable energy projects through its Rural Energy for America Program [2]. However, Secretary Rollins cited concerns about the destruction of farmland and the impact on future generations of farmers. She stated, "Millions of acres of prime farmland is left unusable so Green New Deal subsidized solar panels can be built. This destruction of our farms and prime soil is taking away the futures of the next generation of farmers and the future of our country" [1].

The administration's stance is part of a broader policy shift away from green energy projects. President Donald Trump has previously criticized wind and solar energy as unreliable, expensive, and dependent on Chinese supply chains. The administration has also taken steps to curtail federal tax breaks for wind and solar power [3].

The impact of this policy change on electricity prices and the renewable energy sector remains to be seen. Some states, like Iowa, which relies heavily on wind energy, could see higher electricity costs as a result. However, the administration argues that the costs of wind and solar energy have plummeted in the past two decades and that the sector can continue to grow under the Trump administration's policies [3].

Publicly traded companies in the solar energy space, such as Array Technologies, Canadian Solar, and Sunrun, may be affected by this policy change. The Trump administration has stated that solar energy will continue to thrive due to its falling costs and reduced land use compared to wind energy [3].

The USDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The administration's decision is expected to face scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum, with Democrats arguing that the move could exacerbate the electricity affordability crisis [3].

References:
[1] https://www.thepigsite.com/news/2025/08/usda-halts-support-for-solar-wind-on-farmland
[2] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/usda-ends-programs-for-solar-wind-projects-on-farms-ce7c51dcda8bf222
[3] https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/19/trump-energy-power-prices-00512230