Senate Energy Bill Clears Hurdle Despite Trump's Wind Veto Threat

The Senate cleared a major procedural hurdle for a bipartisan energy permitting bill on Monday, even as President Trump told reporters he would not approve new wind turbines. The vote secured significant bipartisan support for legislation designed to streamline the approval process for both renewable and fossil fuel projects. Trump's comments came minutes before the Senate began its vote on the measure.

"The bill hasn't been fully negotiated," Trump said. "I will not approve wind turbines because wind turbines are a major loser." His remarks created immediate uncertainty for developers who have relied on federal approvals to move projects forward.

On Tuesday, Senators Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island said they remain confident that wind projects will proceed under the current administration. Whitehouse attributed the president's comments to his age, stating, "we chalk that up to him being 80." The Rhode Island Democrat said he expects the administration to honor the assurances provided to his party, though he did not specify the exact terms of those promises.

Heinrich noted that the White House released new wind projects around the same time Trump made his comments. "I don't think we can govern based on his off-the-cuff remarks," Heinrich said. He described recent conversations with the administration as constructive and emphasized the need to complete projects quickly. "Projects couldn't get done in four years [under the Biden administration]," Heinrich said. "You can't demonstrate success to the American people if it takes two decades to build things."

The White House directed reporters to its statement supporting the permitting reform bill. The document states that the legislation allows industry to build "in confidence that their permits will be good tomorrow." It also mandates that the government issue permits swiftly and without bias against any specific technology.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum addressed the issue during an event hosted by The Daily Caller. He said the negotiations are effectively complete and that the text of the bill will govern how projects are treated. "The bill is the bill," Burgum said. He argued that if the legislation passes, projects will be treated equally under the new law, regardless of the energy source.

Burgum acknowledged Trump's well-known feelings toward intermittent, subsidized foreign energy sources. However, he urged concerned parties to read the bill itself, noting that the current administration follows the law. The next step for the legislation is a full floor vote in the Senate.