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Amid a flurry of Day One activity, President Donald Trump issued a memorandum that directs a comprehensive review of offshore wind leasing and permitting processes, while also pausing all “consideration of any area in the outer continental shelf for any new or renewed wind energy leasing.”
The Jan. 20 memorandum stops short of revoking existing leases. It instead directs a review of the “ecological, economic and environmental necessity of terminating or amending any existing wind energy leases.” The secretary of the Interior, along with the attorney general as needed, will identify any legal bases for such removal and submit recommendations to the president.
Many in the offshore wind industry reacted strongly to the president’s action. Liz Burdock, chief executive officer of Oceantic Network, an industry organization, said, “Today’s executive order pausing offshore wind leasing and permitting is a blow to the American offshore wind industry and hurts the hundreds of U.S. supply chain companies and thousands of workers already building more American energy.”
Burdock added: “Today’s actions threaten to strand $25 billion already flowing into new ports, vessels, and manufacturing centers.”
New Jersey groups that have long been opposed to offshore wind see it differently. The community organization Save Long Beach Island quickly posted the presidential memorandum on social media. In a separate post the group said: “Today is a great day.”
The president’s memorandum does not affect leases on the continental shelf for oil and gas development, staying true to Trump’s campaign promises to support drilling for fossil fuels.
The National Ocean Industries Association warned of unintended consequences from the Trump action. The organization, which represents oil, gas and wind energy offshore industries, said: “Our members throughout the oil and gas supply chain are beneficiaries of economic growth that flows from investment in offshore wind projects.” The group warned of potential disruption to the industry.
A statement from the New Jersey Offshore Wind Alliance expressed disappointment in the presidential action but pledged to “continue to work diligently in a bipartisan way to advance the Garden State’s pro-business, pro-energy agenda.” The statement adds: “Energy diversification is critical to our nation’s security and offshore wind is an important piece of providing unrivaled opportunity to further support domestic power production.”
The Biden administration approved permits for 11 offshore wind projects. Three of the projects are under offshore construction, two have begun onshore work, and one, South Fork, off the coast of Long Island, has been completed.
Wind energy currently represents about 11% of the country’s electricity generation, according to the Energy Information Administration, most of it coming from onshore wind farms. The memorandum’s call for a moratorium on activities at the Lava Ridge Wind Project in Idaho means the onshore wind industry may also face new hurdles.
Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
