LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A recent memo from a Trump administration official is stalling solar projects in Nevada and could lead to energy costs going up, Congressional Democrats argue.

The Nevada Congressional Delegation wrote to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum about their concerns with a new policy that puts added scrutiny on certain renewable energy sources.

Burgum's memo, issued back in July, would require any decisions regarding solar energy facilities to undergo multiple levels of review.

"We are concerned this memo is meant to intentionally hinder the deployment of renewable energy projects on our public lands, and we question its necessity, especially considering this memo only applies to wind and solar energy facilities rather than all forms of energy production," the Nevada delegation wrote to Burgum.

"We are also concerned that the impacts of this memo extend beyond federal lands to any private project that requires approvals at the federal level, such as for transmission right-of-way permits, thus placing even more projects potentially at risk of either being delayed or cancelled altogether."

They say these hurdles create uncertainty when it comes to clean energy projects and funding because the memo provides no guidance or instructions to agency staff.

"To our knowledge, not a single solar or wind project in any state has received approval under the new guidance," the letter states.

This has put energy development in the West at a standstill, the Congressional Democrats argue, and it could result in higher energy costs.