Rep. Peters Alleges BLM Halts New Solar Permits in California Amid Permitting Reform Push

Washington D.C. – Representative Scott Peters (D-Calif.) asserted on September 19, 2025, that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has ceased issuing new solar permits in California. Speaking at a press conference regarding a "Problem Solvers permitting proposal," Peters linked the alleged halt to broader actions by the Trump administration aimed at impeding renewable energy projects.

"BLM is not permitting any more solar in California," Peters stated, emphasizing the difficulty of reaching a bipartisan agreement on permitting reform without addressing such issues. He further indicated that these actions, which he attributed to the Trump administration, are holding up renewable projects. This comes amidst a renewed focus by the administration on an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy that includes fossil fuels.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of the Interior, following President Donald Trump's return to office, had initially suspended all authorizations for renewable energy on federal land for 60 days. While the BLM reportedly resumed reviewing solar and storage applications in March 2025, concerns have persisted regarding policy shifts, agency staff shortages, and a potential bias towards hydrocarbon projects. The administration's January 2025 secretarial order mandated that energy development policies on federal land must not favor renewable energy over hydrocarbon projects.

The "Problem Solvers Caucus permitting reform proposal," a bipartisan initiative, seeks to streamline the environmental review and approval processes for energy and infrastructure projects. Peters' comments highlight a critical barrier to such reforms, suggesting that federal agencies' actions under the current administration are creating an unfavorable environment for renewable development, particularly in a state like California, which has ambitious clean energy goals. The BLM's official active projects list, last updated in early 2025, shows several solar projects in various stages of review or approval in California, creating a discrepancy with Peters' direct claim of a permitting halt.

The alleged permitting freeze could significantly impact California's clean energy targets, as the state relies heavily on federal lands for large-scale solar development. Industry stakeholders and environmental groups are closely monitoring federal permitting decisions, as delays and rejections could hinder the deployment of essential renewable infrastructure. The broader implications for the nation's energy transition and climate goals remain a key point of contention in ongoing policy debates.