NJDEP/Offshore wind turbines.
Newly sworn President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on Inauguration Day calling for the suspension of all offshore wind leases in federal waters of the Outer Continental Shelf for an indefinite period.
The withdrawal reiterates Trumps mantra, “Drill baby drill,” for oil and gas, and demonstrates his preference for using fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, to address what he called the country’s “national energy emergency.”
There are three leases for offshore wind projects off the coast of New Jersey and the NJ Board of Public Utilities has planned a fourth solicitation, which together would be enough energy to power an estimated 30 million homes. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has made offshore wind a priority industry for the state and set a goal of 50% renewable energy by 2030 and a 100% clean energy economy by 2050.
In the executive order, Trump cites demand for reliable energy, marine life, the fishing industry and costs for Americans as the reasons to temporarily withdraw energy leases, effective Jan. 21 and until he revokes the order. It also states there shall be no new offshore wind energy leases or renewals.
The executive order further instructs the Secretary of the Interior and Attorney General to conduct a comprehensive review of the “ecological, economic, and environmental necessity of terminating or amending any existing wind energy leases.” Their report will be submitted to the president’s economic policy assistant. All relevant agencies of the federal government, such as the departments of Agriculture, Energy, Interior, Environmental Protection, and NOAA, may not issue any new leases or extend any existing approvals until a “comprehensive assessment” on wind leasing practices is completed.
“The assessment shall consider the environmental impact of onshore and offshore wind projects upon wildlife, including but not limited to, birds and marine mammals,” the order states.
“It’s the most expensive energy there is. It’s driving the whales crazy,” Trump said Jan. 7.
The administrator of the Protect Our Coast Facebook page, praised the president for keeping his promise to squash offshore wind on day one of his final term in office, and congratulated New Jersey’s offshore wind opponents who have been quite vocal in their opposition to massive wind turbines that will be seen from the beaches of New Jersey.
“Your efforts were instrumental in bringing the dangers of offshore wind to light and making this moment possible. Your voices were heard, and this administration responded with a Day One Executive Order,” the post stated. “But our work is far from over. As we enter Day Two, your dedication is more important than ever. POC NJ remains fully engaged, active, and committed to seeing this fight through.”
U.S. Congressman Jeff Van Drew, R-Atlantic, Cape and Cumberland, told Fox News that the investigation would reveal issues and problems with the way the leases were approved, claiming he wrote the executive order and calling them “awful projects.”
“What does it do to the whales, what does it do to the ocean itself, the tourism, how does it affect the fishing industry, how does it affect national security, how does it affect the rate payer? These are things that need to be looked at that were not looked at properly before,” he said. “I think the decision that makes sense is that we will not have them.”
