Trump says federal government will not approve new solar projects
President Trump escalated his criticism of renewable energy, announcing his administration will no longer approve new wind or solar projects.
Straight Arrow News
- Blue Ridge Power, a subsidiary of Pine Gate Renewables, will undergo an “orderly wind-down” of operations.
- The company announced it would lay off 517 people on Sept. 18.
- It comes as more solar energy companies have anticipated depressed growth and demand following cuts and regulatory changes directed by the Trump administration.
ASHEVILLE – Blue Ridge Power, an Asheville-based solar engineering and construction firm, will undergo an “orderly wind down” in the coming months as the company has already laid off over 500 employees in Asheville and Fayetteville as it faces “market headwinds similar to those impacting the entire renewable energy industry,” its parent company confirmed Sept. 23.
Blue Ridge Power was launched in 2021 as a subsidiary of the Asheville-based solar engineering company Pine Gate Renewables. Operating as the company’s engineering, procurement and construction arm, Blue Ridge built projects in 14 states and developed over 8 gigawatts of solar infrastructure across the country, employing over 700 people, according to its website. But on Sept. 18, the company issued a state-mandated Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification that it was laying off 517 people.
“Blue Ridge Power has experienced market headwinds similar to those impacting the entire renewable energy industry, requiring Pine Gate Renewables to dedicate significant resources to support the organization,” Pine Gate Renewables spokesperson Kristen McKenzie said in a statement to the Citizen Times Sept. 23.
“After reviewing numerous options to find a path forward, Pine Gate made the difficult decision to conduct an orderly wind-down of Blue Ridge Power. Blue Ridge Power will continue to assess how best to support each of its ongoing projects, including working with its customers to transition those projects to another EPC provider. This decision in no way reflects the hard work or dedication of our valued team members, and we are deeply grateful for all of their contributions,” the statement continued.
The notice included 169 employees in Asheville, where the company is headquarted off of Fairview Road, and 348 employees in Fayetteville. Layoffs come as many regional solar development companies have anticipated a depressed market or layoffs after President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” axed tax credits for the industry. Most federal incentives for the growing industry will wind down in 2026 and 2027. Some will be done by the end of the year, giving companies just months to adjust. In August, Trump said the government won’t approve new wind or solar projects.
Pine Gate Renewables employs over 300 people in the United States, and has closed on more than $7 billion in project financing and capital investment since it was founded in Asheville in 2016, developing over 100 new solar facilities in that time. The company has more than 30 gigawatts of solar power in development, according to its website.
From 2012 to 2024, renewable energy production has doubled its share of the country’s energy generation growing from 12% to 24%, according to the Business Council for Sustainable Energy. Increased demand for data centers and A.I. is expected to require more energy capacity across the nation.
Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com. Consider supporting this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
