Donald Trump keeps trying, and failing, to halt nearly completed offshore wind energy projects.
Two days before Christmas Eve, the Interior Department paused leases for all large-scale offshore wind projects. The stated reason is that they pose national security risks, as identified by the Department of Defense in classified reports. The pause gives federal agencies the time to “assess the possibility of mitigating the national security risks posed by these projects,” the Interior Department stated in a press release.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum claims that the leasing pause “addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid evolution of the relevant adversary technologies, and the vulnerabilities created by large-scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centers.”
All this is Burgum-speak for Trump doesn’t like wind energy because of golf. In any case, more serious people aren’t buying it.
Off Again, On Again Times Five
Earlier this month, a fifth judge struck down Donald Trump’s attempt to halt construction on the Sunrise Wind project, which makes Trump a five-time loser. U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lambert is the latest in a series of judges striking down the administration’s war on wind.
The other four offshore wind projects Trump attempted to halt in December include:
- Vineyard 1 off the coast of Massachusetts, which would provide energy for over 400,000 homes and businesses and reduce carbon emissions by more than 1.6 million tons per year.
- Revolution Wind would supply enough energy to power homes along the Rhode Island and Connecticut coast.
- Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind will be the largest offshore wind project in the nation once complete, generating enough energy to power up to 660,000 homes.
- Empire Wind created more than 4,000 jobs and will produce 810 MW of energy, powering half a million homes.
Trump’s expressed hatred for offshore wind turbines goes back over a decade. “I am the evidence,” Trump said to the Scottish Parliament in 2012. He cited offshore wind turbines and believed they harmed Scottish tourism. He described wind turbines in Scotland as “some of the ugliest you’ve ever seen during a 2025 visit. His continued disdain for offshore wind for petty reasons is the reason for the leasing pause.
“The President’s relentless attacks on offshore wind undermine his own economic agenda and needlessly harm American workers and consumers.” American Clean Power Association CEO Jason Grumet.
The Potential of Offshore Wind in the U.S.
Offshore wind in the U.S. has the potential to supply 1.5 terawatts from fixed bottom wind farms and 2.8 terawatts from floating wind farms. That is enough energy to cover three times the annual amount consumed. Approximately 80 percent of Americans live within 100 miles of the coast, and coastal load centers have the biggest energy demand and the highest wholesale electricity prices. According to Clean Power, offshore winds are consistent, ensuring a “stable and sustainable power source.”
There are 10 states with incredible offshore wind potential. Massachusetts is the leading state in terms of offshore wind potential. It could generate 130 percent of its current electricity generation and save the state $2.1 billion annually. Developing its full potential would eliminate the need for fossil fuels in energy generation.
Other Atlantic Coast states have the capacity to generate all or most of their energy needs from offshore wind. Delaware could generate more offshore wind energy than it currently produces from other energy sources combined. New Jersey could generate 92 percent of its electricity from offshore wind, while Virginia could generate 83 percent.
