Pulse of the Land - 9/2/2025
A brief for conservation and cleaner energy
Key Takeaways This Week
Coal lease expansion looms large on public lands
Offshore wind projects under threat
$20.5 billion drop in U.S. renewable energy investment in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024
Attempt to repeal the Roadless Rule, which protects America’s last wild forests
The State of Public Lands
Powder River Basin Coal Mining
Plans are underway to reopen over 2,600 sq miles (1.66 million acres) of federal land for coal mining leases, primarily in the Powder River Basin. The first lease, covering 3,500 acres, is set for approval this week. Mining causes irreparable damage to public lands. Learn more in my latest post: Powder Keg: Public Lands Face a New Wave of Coal Mining
Clean Energy Projects
Revolution Wind Halted
The Revolution Wind project, a 704 MW offshore wind farm off of Rhode Island, is 80% complete. The Trump administration halted it with a stop work order, suspending thousands of construction jobs. Once operational it would power roughly 350,000 homes.
US Renewable Energy Investment Drops $20.5 Billion (36%) Amid Policy Shifts
While US investment plummeted, global renewable investment reached $386 billion in the first half of 2025. Uncertainty over tariffs, new federal constraints, and disrupted permitting processes have pushed investors to reallocate capital to more favorable markets, such as the European Union, where investment in renewables surged to nearly $30 billion in the first half of the year.
China is pursuing a dual track energy strategy, simultaneously ramping up renewable, nuclear, and coal power generation to meet its rapidly growing electricity demands while balancing energy security and environmental goals.
Japan’s Fossil Free Milestone
In the first half of 2025, fossil fuel accounted for less than 60% of Japan’s electricity for the first time. Solar and nuclear made up most of the remainder. Japan is on pace to make non fossil sources the majority by 2033.
Government Spotlight
Roadless Rule Repeal
US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, announced plans to repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, which protects over 58 million acres of America’s last undeveloped national forests. These landscapes are more than just wild spaces, they are critical lifelines for ecosystems, clean water, and climate stability. Weakening or repealing the rule would open the door to road building, which brings a cascade of long-term damage.
Please submit your comment here to protect America’s Public Lands from this repeal.
USDA pushes “Maximize Energy” in American Forests.
Last week the USDA issued guidance urging national forests to maximize energy output per acre, but what does that actually mean?
“Maximize per acre” sounds efficient, but in forests, it’s the thin edge of the wedge splitting conservation. Environmental and timber groups warn of conflicts with conservation and habitat protection.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said, “Under this memorandum, we are putting America first, ensuring that every acre of federally managed land is used wisely, balancing the need for energy security with our responsibility to safegaurd natural resources.”
There has been no examples of what type of energy projects would be applicable, they call out solar as a bad option due to its foreign products needed and large acre footprint.
Given the administration “It’a a reasonable assumption that this directive aims to pave a way for oil and gas prduction on national fores lands with little or no public oversight.” Said Grace Brahler, Wildlands Director for the Cascadia Wildlands
Conclusion: Once you build the roads, gravel pads, and drill, forests are damaged, water is contaminated, and hazardous organic material are leaked. Fight to keep wild places wild. There are pleanty of alternatives for energy production outside public lands.
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. All projects must restore the land, because public lands are unique and once lost, they’re gone forever.