High Level

Federal land managers clarified that transmission lines expressly needed for wind or solar will face “enhanced” environmental review, while broader, multi‑purpose lines can still advance. In New Jersey, regulators delayed JCP&L’s Larrabee Tri‑Collector Solution by 30 months, citing federal policy uncertainty and ratepayer protection. Together, these moves narrow near‑term pathways for wires that are visibly linked to renewable generation even as some backbone projects proceed. Heatmap NewsBureau of Land ManagementFederal Register

Full View

BLM signals stricter treatment of gen‑ties to wind and solar; multi‑use backbones like Greenlink North still moving
• What happened: The Bureau of Land Management said transmission lines that are “a part of, and necessary for,” a wind or solar project will receive “enhanced environmental review,” while region‑serving lines not tied to a single renewable project can proceed. BLM still expects a Record of Decision (ROD) for NV Energy’s Greenlink North in September. Heatmap NewsBureau of Land Management
• Who did it: U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Department of the Interior
• Why they did it: Interior’s July directives elevated renewable permitting to Secretary‑level review and introduced a “capacity density” lens, pulling project‑specific gen‑ties into more rigorous scrutiny while leaving room for multi‑use reliability lines. U.S. Department of the Interior
• Stakeholder views:

  • Brian Hires, Press Secretary, U.S. Bureau of Land Management: “Enhanced environmental review for transmission lines only when they are a part of, and necessary for, a wind or solar energy project.” Heatmap News
  • Doug Burgum, Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior: “Gargantuan, unreliable, intermittent energy projects hold America back… By considering energy generation optimization, the Department will… better manage our federal lands.” U.S. Department of the Interior
  • Joe Lombardo, Governor, State of Nevada: “My office is hearing that solar projects deep in the project pipeline have been frozen,” urging clarity so transmission and data‑center‑driven load can be served. Las Vegas Review-Journal
  • Elizabeth Peace, Spokeswoman, U.S. Department of the Interior: “This policy strengthens accountability, prevents misuse of taxpayer‑funded subsidies and upholds our commitment to restoring balance in energy development.” Las Vegas Review-Journal
    • What happens next: BLM has issued the Final EIS/Proposed RMPA for Greenlink North; a September ROD would keep that backbone on track, while project‑specific gen‑tie lines should expect longer, more complex federal reviews. Federal RegisterBureau of Land Management

Links (one per line):
Heatmap News, “ ‘Enhanced’ Reviews Await Power Lines Tied to Solar and Wind, BLM Says,” Aug. 14, 2025
U.S. Department of the Interior, “Secretary Burgum Announces Order to Rein In Environmentally Damaging Wind and Solar Projects,” Aug. 1, 2025
BLM, “BLM Issues Final Proposed Plan for Greenlink North Transmission Project,” May 27, 2025
Federal Register, “Notice of Availability… Greenlink North Transmission Line Project,” May 28, 2025
Las Vegas Review‑Journal, “Lombardo: Nevada solar industry is ‘frozen’ by Trump admin memo,” Aug. 7, 2025

New Jersey delays JCP&L’s Larrabee Tri‑Collector offshore‑wind transmission by 30 months
• What happened: On Aug. 14, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities voted 3‑0 to delay JCP&L’s ~$1 billion Larrabee Tri‑Collector Solution by 30 months, directing limited expenditures and asking PJM to shift in‑service dates from June 1, 2030 to Jan. 1, 2033. Utility Dive
• Who did it: New Jersey BPU, acting through an open meeting and staff recommendation. Utility Dive
• Why they did it: Staff cited federal policy uncertainty affecting offshore wind, including the Atlantic Shores 1 developer’s June petition to terminate ORECs, and framed the pause as ratepayer protection while federal actions play out. Utility Dive+1
• Stakeholder views:

  • Christine Guhl‑Sadovy, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities: “We need to make sure that we’re acting… in the best interest of ratepayers.” Utility Dive
  • Genevieve DiGiulio, Offshore Wind Project Manager, New Jersey BPU: “A recent shift in policy by the federal administration has introduced significant uncertainty to the development timeline of offshore wind projects.” Utility Dive
  • Christopher Hoenig, Spokesperson, Jersey Central Power & Light: “The offshore wind landscape has changed… [but] we are committed to working with state regulators and PJM to build a more robust and modern backbone to the electric grid.” Utility Dive
  • Joris Veldhoven, Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: The OREC termination petition “marks the closing of a chapter, but not the end for Atlantic Shores.” Utility Dive
  • Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters: The delay is “a setback… It will not stop our fight for a clean energy future in New Jersey.” Utility Dive
    • What happens next: JCP&L and PJM will propose new milestones; future BPU commissioners can reassess after 30 months. The coordinated approach BPU adopted in 2022, projected to save ratepayers ~$900 million, remains the policy baseline. Utility DiveNJ.gov

Links (one per line):
Utility Dive, “New Jersey delays JCP&L offshore wind transmission project by 30 months,” Aug. 14, 2025
NJ BPU, “Selects Offshore Wind Transmission Project Proposed by MAOD and JCP&L,” Oct. 26, 2022
Utility Dive, “Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind asks to terminate project’s renewable energy credits,” June 10, 2025

What’s the So What?

Federal filter on purpose. Interior’s policy draws a bright line: project‑specific gen‑tie lines to wind and solar now trigger heightened, Secretary‑level review, while multi‑use, reliability‑oriented backbones have clearer paths. Developers should expect longer schedules and higher evidentiary burdens when the stated purpose is to connect a specific renewable project. U.S. Department of the InteriorHeatmap News

State pacing to federal risk. New Jersey’s 30‑month pause shows how federal turbulence cascades into state transmission timelines. Even with an approved, “transmission‑first” model and projected savings, BPU chose to time‑align wires with credible generation rather than overbuild ahead of uncertain federal outcomes. Expect more milestone resets tied to federal permitting clarity. Utility DiveNJ.gov

Bibliography

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