WASHINGTON (AP) — All solar and wind energy projects on federal lands and waters must be personally approved by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum under a new order that authorizes him to conduct “elevated review” of activities ranging from leases to rights-of-way, construction and operational plans, grants and biological opinions.

Good afternoon and happy Thursday, readers! In today’s Daily on Energy, we provide you the latest on the Trump administration’s efforts to delay wind and solar projects. The administration announced that renewable energy project will need to get Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s stamp of approval before being able to move forward.

The new guidance “is yet another knife in the back of the transition to clean energy,” said Michael Gerrard, director of Columbia Law School's Sabin

Two federal officials are traveling to California to visit the shuttered Alcatraz prison, part of a plan to soon announce the reopening of the infamous federal prison.

The renewable industry accused the Interior Department of obstructing wind and solar projects for political reasons.

As of Monday, the Dragon Bravo fire on the North Rim had consumed more than 5,700 acres and was not contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The congressman is the latest lawmaker asking why the Dragon Bravo fire was not immediately extinguished when it was ignited by lightning on July 4.

CNBC's Brian Sullivan talks with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum about the U.S. energy supply, permitting and artificial intelligence demands during the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit in Pittsburgh.