WASHINGTON (AP) — All solar and wind energy projects on federal lands and waters must be personally approved by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum under a new order that authorizes him to conduct “elevated review” of activities ranging from leases to rights-of-way, construction and operational plans, grants and biological opinions.

The new guidance “is yet another knife in the back of the transition to clean energy,” said Michael Gerrard, director of Columbia Law School's Sabin

Trump administration is taking new steps to block alternative energy projects, a new Interior Department order indicates. It could slow approvals and construction.