During his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump declared he would sign an executive order to halt the construction of offshore wind farms in the US “on day one.” On January 7, the US president-elect reinforced this stance, extending it to include onshore wind energy, suggesting a potential policy to cease windmill construction.
The wind energy sector and government officials have expressed opposition, as wind energy generates 10% of US electricity, provides over 120,000 jobs, and attracts significant investment annually.
Trump’s proposal follows outgoing President Joe Biden’s offshore drilling ban on 625 million acres of the US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This proposal also aligns with Trump’s call for the UK to abandon windmills and open the North Sea for oil and gas.
At a January 7 press conference, Trump criticized wind turbines as “garbage” and costly, referring to projects in New Jersey and Massachusetts. He argued that wind energy relies on subsidies and is much more expensive than natural gas.
According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), federal subsidies supported renewable energy, including wind, biofuels, and solar, from 2016-2022. During this period, fossil fuel provisions generated more revenue but became a net cost by 2022.
Wind energy supports nearly 126,000 US jobs and is the fourth-largest electricity source, according to the US Department of Energy data from December 2023.
Trump’s plan to halt new wind farms raises concerns about job losses and investment impacts. He previously opposed offshore wind during his first term, challenging a UK project near his golf resort.
Under Trump, seven large-scale offshore wind projects received leases, including Kitty Hawk North and Empire Wind. Some projects are operational or under construction, with more planned under Biden’s administration.
Recent industry concerns stem from TotalEnergies pausing its New York offshore project due to political uncertainty following Trump’s election victory. Oceantic Network’s CEO Liz Burdock highlighted industry momentum despite challenges, citing significant employment and investment.
The US has permitted nearly 17 GW of offshore wind and leased over 66 GW. Investments in the supply chain total about USD 25.2 billion. Burdock does not expect key tax credits supporting offshore wind to be repealed.
The industry, attracting USD 40 billion in investment, involves 39 states. Government officials, including US Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, warn Trump’s policy could raise electricity costs.
Trump criticized Biden’s offshore drilling ban, promising to reverse it. However, revocation would require congressional action.
Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association, stated that policy changes should not restrict American energy resources amid rising demand.
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Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz