Trump executive order temporarily blocks new US wind farms

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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.”