Pulse of the Land - 12/15/2025
A weekly brief for conservation and cleaner energy
This Week’s Take
This week saw a powerful push and pull over America’s public lands and energy future. The Trump administration moved aggressively to open protected landscapes for coal, oil, and gas, undoing years of conservation planning in places from Alaska’s Arctic Refuge to the prairies of Montana and Wyoming.
At the same time, courts and communities fought back. A federal judge struck down an unlawful ban on wind farms, and lawmakers introduced new safeguards to shield national parks from mining.
Clean energy continues to surge despite political roadblocks. The latest data shows solar power dominating new US electricity capacity, and tribal nations are forging ahead with renewable projects even after federal funding was pulled.
“Gas is cheap” at the pump doesn’t automatically mean energy is cheaper, especially if natural gas is elevated and coal is getting pulled off the bench.
The State of Public Lands and Energy Relationship
December 9 — Judge Overturns Trump’s Wind Energy Freeze.
A federal court struck down the presidents executive order that indefinitely halted new wind energy permits and leases on public lands and waters, ruling the abrupt ban “arbitrary and capricious” and unlawful.
Why it matters: This legal victory reopens the door for wind power projects, blocking an attempt to sideline renewable energy. Now, I still believe in brownfields (already disturbed land) over backcountry, I don’t want wind, solar, gas, or coal on pristine public land. We must conserve the land we have and take advantage of land already degraded or industrial, and land that is close to the grid.
December 9 — Wyoming oil and gas leasing is back on the calendar.
The Bureau of Land Management announced an additional oil and gas lease sale in Wyoming scheduled for December 30, citing requirements tied to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Why it matters: Lease sales are the upstream signal, more leasing today can lock in multi-decade surface impacts tomorrow (roads, pads, pipelines), which can collide with migration corridors and restoration priorities.
December 12 — Oil Prices Plunge as Gasoline Falls Below $3.
Crude oil prices fell over 4% last week, with gasoline averaging under $3 per gallon for the first time in 2 years.
Why it matters: Cheaper oil may ease short term pain at the pump, but it undercuts arguments for expanding drilling on public lands. An oversupplied market and declining prices highlight the boom and bust volatility of fossil fuels, underscoring calls to invest in stable, renewable energy sources instead of sacrificing protected lands for short term gains.
Government Spotlight Public Lands
December 11 – Bill Seeks to Protect Parks from Mining Rush.
A bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress to reform the 1872 mining law and shield U.S. national parks and monuments from mining threats. Lawmakers aim to curb speculative mining claims near park boundaries and fund the cleanup of abandoned mines.
Why it matters: With thousands of mine sites encroaching on iconic parks, this long-awaited reform would prioritize clean water, wildlife habitat, and heritage over unchecked mineral extraction. It’s a bid to ensure that America’s public lands are managed for future generations’ benefit, not just short-term profit.
December 11 — Resource management plans get rolled back, shifting the chessboard.
The House Natural Resources Committee and outlets covering public lands report the President signed Congressional Review Act resolutions reversing multiple Bureau of Land Management resource management plans across several Western states (and Alaska), affecting how millions of acres are managed.
Why it matters: Resource management plans are the “rules of the road” for where development can go, and where conservation has teeth. They take years to develop and include input from all stakeholders on public lands. Reversals don’t just change maps; they change leverage.
Clean Energy in the News
December 15 – Tribes Forge Ahead After Clean Energy Funds Cut.
Tribal nations are regrouping to finance solar projects after the Trump administration rescinded over $500 million in renewable energy grants – including the Solar for All program earmarked for tribal lands. Indigenous clean energy coalitions are turning to private investors and new tools to keep dozens of planned solar installations moving forward.
Why it matters: Native communities are striving for energy independence and economic opportunity through renewables. Even as federal support was pulled back, tribes are innovating to ensure these sustainable projects survive – a testament to resilience and the growing demand for clean power in historically underserved areas.
Dec. 4, 2025 – Solar Power Surge Outpaces Last Year.
New data show the U.S. added 2 gigawatts of solar capacity in September alone, bringing total new solar in 2025 to 21 GW – slightly more than this time last year. Solar farms account for 75% of all new electricity generation added in the U.S. so far this year (with wind a distant second at 13%).
Why it matters: Clean energy continues to dominate power growth despite policy headwinds. Even as the administration pushes coal and gas, market momentum favors solar – delivering cheaper electricity, cutting emissions, and proving hard to stop as Americans embrace a renewable energy future.
Dec. 15, 2025 – Report: Energy Bills Spike After Clean Energy Rollbacks.
An analysis found U.S. household electricity bills jumped 13% in 2025 compared to the start of the year, after the administration’s policies removed incentives for cheaper renewable power. Nearly 25 gigawatts of planned generation, mostly wind and solar, were canceled or delayed since Trump’s election, tightening supply as demand rises.
Why it matters: Families are paying the price for retreating from clean energy. The rollback of renewables is driving up costs and pollution, highlighting the economic importance of conservation-minded energy policy. Keeping affordable, clean energy on the grid isn’t just about climate, it directly affects Americans’ wallets and public health.
Thank you for reading! I highlight threats to public lands and the energy industry’s impact. I believe clean energy is the future, and ALL energy projects should prioritize private land first to keep wild places wild. When energy extraction is needed on public lands all projects must restore the land after extraction. Public lands are unique and once lost, they’re gone forever.
Sources:
House Committee on Natural Resources - President Trump Signs Legislation to Unleash American Resources and Unlock Public Lands
National Parks Traveler - Repeal Of Resource Management Plans Will Affect Millions Of Acres Of Public Lands
NRDC - Court Rules Trump Administration’s Wind Ban is Illegal
New Jersey Monitor - Judge strikes Trump order that froze wind energy permitting, leasing
Reuters - Oil posts weekly loss on oversupply concerns
EIA - U.S. retail gasoline prices fall below $3 per gallon, the lowest since 2021
National Parks Conservation Association - New Bill Would Better Protect National Parks from Mining Threats
ABC News - Energy bills in US have increased 13% since Trump took office, new report finds
Utility Dive - US added 2 GW of solar in September, putting 2025 ahead of 2024 for new solar generation
Utility Dive - Tribal nations regroup after loss of federal funding for clean energy