On his first day in office President Trump has signed an Executive Order on offshore wind and onshore wind leasing and permitting. The Executive Order announces a temporary halt on offshore wind leasing and a review of wind project policies.
Starting 21 January 2025, all areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) are withdrawn from new or renewed wind energy leasing under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Existing wind leases will stay in place, but a review will determine if any need to be changed or cancelled, considering environmental, economic, and fishing industry impacts.
New approvals, permits, and loans for wind projects, both onshore and offshore, will be paused until a full review of current practices is finished. This assessment will focus on environmental effects on wildlife, economic costs, and the impact of government subsidies. The Lava Ridge Wind Project decision will also be reconsidered due to public interest and legal concerns, with a potential temporary freeze on related activities while further study takes place.
The Secretary of the Interior will lead these efforts, working with other key departments. The memorandum also calls for a report on the impact and costs of abandoned wind turbines, with ideas for their removal. Legal cases linked to wind leasing may be delayed while this review happens. All actions will follow legal and budget limits.
