Trump Administration Reevaluates Offshore Wind Projects
The Trump administration has recently taken a step back from approving a significant offshore wind project near Nantucket, Massachusetts, and has also halted several other offshore ventures.
On Friday, the Department of Justice filed a motion with the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., indicating that the Department of the Interior plans to reassess its approval of the South Coast Wind Construction and Operations Plan (COP). This plan had gained approval just days before Donald Trump assumed the presidency but has faced challenges recently, especially as the administration works to roll back various Biden-era green energy initiatives.
“The interior plans to reassess COP’s approval, and we will pursue a voluntary remand of the agency’s lawsuit by September 18, 2025,” the document stated.
The DOJ’s action follows a legal challenge from Nantucket, Massachusetts, back in March, which contested the agency’s endorsement of the project. The administration sought extra time to address Nantucket’s concerns while the Department of the Interior considered the project approval again. South Coast Wind responded to these demands on Monday, opposing the administration’s approach.
A notable incident that raised eyebrows among environmental groups involved a malfunctioning wind turbine off Nantucket in June 2024. This failure caused debris to scatter, amplifying worries over safety and impact.
In related developments, the Department of the Interior recently issued a work-stop order for a substantial offshore wind initiative off Rhode Island. It also revoked approvals for another Biden-era wind farm located near Maryland. On July 17, the agency ceased prioritizing wind and solar projects classified as “unreliable” or dependent on grants.
Furthermore, the Department of Transportation withdrew federal funding for 12 offshore wind projects earlier this week.
In this current climate, the Trump administration seems to be focusing on traditional energy sources like coal and nuclear power, while significantly reducing financial support for the renewable energy technologies favored by the Biden administration, such as offshore wind and solar power. Former President Joe Biden advocated for these technologies through extensive government subsidies, loans, and grants, which some experts argue has contributed to setting the stage for an energy crisis in the U.S. by undermining reliable energy sources like coal, oil, and gas.
