Responsive Image Banner

Trump executive order temporarily blocks new US wind farms

US president Donald Trump has signed an executive order temporarily halting offshore wind lease sales in federal waters and pausing the approvals, permits and loans for both onshore and offshore wind projects.

Photo: Adobe Stock

The executive order, which was among around a hundred such new rules issues by the president in his first hours in office, orders officials to review the environmental impact of both onshore and offshore wind projects on wildlife and to consider the economic costs of the industry and the effects of subsidies on its viability.

Although the order does not affect wind projects already under construction, President Trump directed the US Attorney General and secretary of the interior to also explore “terminating or amending” leases already issued.

According to the US Department of Energy, wind power currently accounts for around 10% of electricity generated in the USA and is the country’s largest source of renewable power.

President Trump has frequently voiced his opposition to offshore wind turbines which he appears to blame for killing whales.

“It’s the most expensive energy that there is,” Trump told reporters at a recent press conference. “It’s many many times more expensive than clean natural gas. So we’re going to try and have a policy where no windmills are being built.”

STAY CONNECTED

Receive the information you need when you need it through our world-leading magazines, newsletters and daily briefings.

Sign up

Longer reads
5 ways formwork and falsework are evolving
At first glance, formwork and falsework is a simple-enough concept, vital though it is for temporary works.
Liebherr LR 1300 comes of age and keeps on going
At 18 how does the 300 tonne capacity LR 1300 lattice boom crawler crane remain so popular?
Global construction equipment sales are still faltering. When will they recover?
Global construction equipment sales should start to come back from the bottom of the cycle next year, according to Off-Highway Research, but there is some uncertainty around the forecast 
CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
Andy Brown Editor, Editorial, UK - Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786224 E-mail: [email protected]
Neil Gerrard Senior Editor, Editorial, UK - Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 7355 092 771 E-mail: [email protected]
Eleanor Shefford Brand Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786 236 E-mail: [email protected]
Peter Collinson International Sales Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786220 E-mail: [email protected]
CONNECT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Inside The Minds of Leaders:
Using Tech To Unearth Greater Profit

FREE WEBINAR ON-DEMAND

This session was hosted by KHL's Mitch Keller, with speakers from AEM, Landmark Construction and Trimble.

Download and watch in your own time