On Monday, President Donald Trump fulfilled his commitment to implement policies aimed at stopping the construction of wind turbines.

The executive order he signed pauses the leasing of offshore wind energy projects in federal waters and puts a hold on the approvals, permits, and loans for both offshore and land-based wind installations.

During this suspension, authorities will assess how onshore and offshore wind projects impact the environment, particularly concerning wildlife. They will also evaluate the economic implications of using renewable energy that varies over time, and how subsidies might affect the wind power sector’s sustainability, as outlined in the executive order.

According to American Clean Power, an industry association, land-based wind turbines currently supply 10% of the electricity in the United States, with most installations located on private property.

A growing resistance to wind and solar energy at the county level, often based on visual concerns, has led to 15% of U.S. counties banning or obstructing new, large-scale wind or solar projects in 2023, as discovered by a YSL News investigation last year.

Wind energy is particularly prevalent in the central U.S., referred to as the wind belt, which includes states like North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. In Texas, wind energy accounts for nearly 29% of the state’s power generation.

New restrictions on land-based wind projects may conflict with the current energy needs in these states.

“States that supported President Trump represent eight of the top ten states heavily relying on wind energy, with many depending on it for a substantial part of their electricity. Limiting wind development in these areas will likely lead to higher energy costs for consumers,” stated Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association.

Offshore Wind Represents a Small Fraction of U.S. Wind Energy

Currently, there are only three offshore wind energy projects operational, although several others are under development. Many coastal states that initially opposed land-based wind farms hoped to utilize offshore wind instead, but this might not be feasible under Trump’s administration.

Most proposed offshore wind projects are planned on lands leased from the federal government. In 2022, six companies made a historic agreement to pay $4.37 billion for the right to establish wind turbines more than three miles off the coasts of New York and New Jersey, marking a significant achievement for U.S. renewable energy initiatives. The lease payments are directed to the U.S. Treasury.

Since the federal government oversees offshore waters, these leases are managed by the Department of the Interior, rather than by the coastal states themselves.

On the East Coast, there has been strong opposition to offshore wind farms, often due to concerns that the wind turbines would spoil the view—despite many projects being situated far enough offshore that they are not easily seen. Additional worries include potential health impacts and risks to wildlife.

Concerns about whales being harmed by offshore wind turbines are common, although there is currently no evidence supporting such claims.