Trump Administration Moves to Halt $6 Billion Offshore Wind Project

URGENT UPDATE: The Trump administration has just announced plans to halt the development of a major offshore wind project in Maryland, escalating its ongoing campaign against clean energy initiatives. The Interior Department is working to revoke a permit for the $6 billion Maryland Offshore Wind Project, which was slated to feature up to 114 wind turbines approximately 10 nautical miles off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland. This decision comes just days after legal filings were submitted on October 20, 2023.

The project, approved by the Biden administration in 2024, was expected to begin construction next year, highlighting the urgent implications of this latest development. “We remain confident that the federal permits we secured after a multi-year and rigorous public review process are legally sound,” stated Nancy Sopko, Vice President of External Affairs for US Wind, the project developer.

In a move that further complicates the landscape for renewable energy, the Interior Department also paused work on an 80% complete offshore wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island, developed by Denmark’s Orsted A/S. This aggressive stance against offshore wind initiatives indicates a precarious future for the burgeoning industry under President Trump, who has previously halted projects he deemed unfavorable, including those near his golf course in Aberdeen, Scotland.

The implications of these decisions extend beyond just Maryland and Rhode Island. The offshore wind sector, which is seen as pivotal in addressing climate change and reducing energy costs, now faces heightened risks. On his first day in office, President Trump halted the sale of new offshore wind leases and suspended permitting for all wind projects on federal lands and waters.

In April, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum previously halted work on the $5 billion Empire Wind farm off the coast of New York but later reversed the decision after negotiating with New York Governor Kathy Hochul to facilitate new gas pipelines in the state.

Critics are voicing their concerns about the administration’s stance on renewable energy. “The Trump administration’s attacks on affordable energy just keep coming,” said Pasha Feinberg, an offshore wind specialist with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Americans were promised cheaper electricity, but nearly every day this administration is trying to drive those costs up.”

As these developments unfold, stakeholders in the clean energy sector are urged to stay vigilant. The decisions made by the Trump administration may significantly reshape the future of renewable energy in the United States. Watch for further updates as this story develops and as the Interior Department’s actions continue to impact the offshore wind industry.