One Big Beautiful Act Imposes New Wind, Solar Fees on Federal Lands

Recent developments in renewable energy policy and projects reflect a mixed landscape of challenges and opportunities. In Sri Lanka, large-scale wind and solar projects like the controversial Adani initiative have been canceled due to high tariffs, pre-operational costs, and procedural issues, prompting calls to prioritize rooftop solar installations supported by concessionary loans to capitalize on readily available solar resources. In the U.S., the One Big Beautiful Act (OBBA) has introduced mandatory statutory fees for wind and solar projects on federal lands, replacing prior discretionary mechanisms, while excluding other renewable sources and requiring Secretary-level approvals for many provisions. Meanwhile, a proposed wind and solar tax aimed at penalizing projects using parts from China was introduced and swiftly removed from the OBBA after bipartisan pushback, highlighting tensions between supporting domestic manufacturing and maintaining renewable energy incentives. Locally, groups like OC Goes Solar are racing to help homeowners install rooftop solar before the expiration of federal solar tax credits, which were cut short by President Donald Trump's recent legislation, a move criticized for potentially stalling solar adoption and energy independence efforts. In Scotland, concerns about the environmental impact of expanding wind farms have raised accusations of ecocide, with critics pointing to inadequate mitigation plans and government complicity, fueling public skepticism over the sustainability of large-scale wind energy projects.