(Reuters) -U.S. officials consistently failed to comply with federal regulations when reviewing applications for wind and solar projects on public lands, according to a report by an independent government watchdog published on Thursday.

An audit by the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General found that the Bureau of Land Management did not assess most applicants’ technical and financial ability to develop renewable energy projects, maintained incomplete files and failed to screen applications in a timely manner.

President Donald Trump has sought to stymie development of wind and solar projects on federal lands, including by reviewing wind permitting and leasing practices and requiring additional scrutiny of renewable projects on federal lands. The IG’s office said its report ha

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