Trump Pledges to Halt New Wind Energy Projects, Citing Costs and Environmental Concerns

Created: JANUARY 26, 2025

Former President Donald Trump has expressed his intention to block the development of new wind energy projects if he returns to office. He argues that wind power is excessively expensive compared to natural gas and detrimental to marine life.

Trump's stance on wind energy isn't new, but his recent statements suggest a more aggressive approach towards restricting future wind power initiatives. Speaking to reporters, he labeled wind energy as "the most expensive energy there is," significantly exceeding the cost of natural gas. He proposed a policy to cease the construction of new windmills.

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Palm Beach.

He criticized government subsidies for wind power, claiming they primarily benefit those profiting from the industry. Trump also raised concerns about the potential impact on marine mammals, specifically citing an increase in whale deaths in the Massachusetts area, which he attributed to wind turbines. However, the National Marine Fisheries Service has stated there's no evidence linking the two.

Wind turbines, of the Block Island Wind Farm, tower above the water on Oct. 14, 2016 off the shores of Block Island, Rhode Island. The first offshore wind project in the U.S. has created more than 300 construction jobs and will deliver the electricity demands for the entire island.

Some environmental groups share Trump's concerns about the impact of offshore wind farms on marine life, pointing to factors like noise pollution from ship traffic and construction activities. However, Trump's comments have drawn criticism from Democrats like Senator Ron Wyden, who accused him of being "completely out of touch" and misunderstanding the nation's energy needs.

ROEDGEN, GERMANY - AUGUST 20: Wind turbines spin to produce electricity on August 20, 2010 in Roedgen near Bitterfeld, Germany. Germany is investing heavily in renewable energy production, including wind power and solar, and is seeking to produce 30% of its electricity nationwide with renewables by 2020. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Despite the controversy, wind energy remains the largest source of renewable energy in the US. The Biden administration has significantly invested in offshore wind projects as part of its green energy agenda, contrasting sharply with Trump's proposed policy.

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