Trump freezes new offshore wind leases on the outer continental shelf

President Trump directed the Treasury Department to freeze new offshore wind energy leases on the outer continental shelf Monday evening as one of a series of executive orders he signed within hours of taking office.

The order withdraws the entire shelf for leasing new or renewable offshore wind energy, but does not affect existing leases or continental shelf leases for oil and gas development. It also directs the Department of the Interior to lead a review of the environmental impacts of offshore wind leasing in cooperation with the Departments of Energy, Agriculture, and Commerce.

The order specifically directs the review to analyze the impacts of offshore wind on marine bird and mammal life. Trump has often criticized offshore wind turbines, claiming they kill birds and whales. While wind turbines have been linked to increased bird mortality, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said there is no evidence of a link between offshore wind and increased whale mortality.

Trump pledged during the campaign and between the election and inauguration to take action against offshore wind, a pledge that represents a intersection between the technology he has privately derided and the broader expected declines in promoting renewable energy under the Biden administration. Earlier this month, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (RN.J.), who represents a largely beachfront district of southern New Jersey, said in a statement that he was drafting an executive order on the topic.

The National Oceanic Industries Association (NOIA) warned in a statement of potential disruption to the industry due to the move.

“Many offshore wind projects have been approved or are about to be approved after years of reviews,” NOIA President Eric Milito said in a statement. “In any emerging industry, even a small delay can lead to multi-year setbacks, creating bottlenecks and higher costs that ultimately impact energy consumers. Our member companies throughout the oil and gas supply chain are beneficiaries of the economic growth that flows from Investing in offshore wind projects.