# What the Don't DO IT Act Actually Does

This bill would give states the power to block solar and wind energy projects on federal land within their borders. Right now, when a company wants to build a solar farm or wind turbine on public land managed by the federal government, the Secretary of the Interior reviews the application and decides whether to approve it based on federal law and environmental considerations. This bill would change that by allowing a state legislature to essentially veto any such project by passing a law disapproving it. If a state passes legislation saying "no" to a specific solar or wind project, the federal government would be required to deny the company's permit application, regardless of other factors.

The practical effect is that states would gain significant control over renewable energy development on federal lands within their boundaries. This could slow down or prevent solar and wind projects from being built, even if the federal government and the project developers think they're good ideas. For example, if a company wants to build a large wind farm on federal land in Wyoming, but Wyoming's legislature passes a law opposing it, the project would be automatically rejected. This gives state governments—specifically their legislatures—a new tool to influence energy policy on lands that are technically owned and managed by all Americans.

The bill would primarily affect energy companies looking to develop renewable projects, states that want more control over their energy landscape, and potentially consumers who might see different energy options available in their region. Environmental groups and renewable energy advocates would likely oppose it as a barrier to clean energy development, while those concerned about land use and state sovereignty might support it. The impact would depend heavily on how many states actually use this power and whether they do so to protect other interests like agriculture, wildlife, or traditional energy industries.