President Trump’s Wind Energy Executive Order Risks American Jobs and Energy Dominance
For Immediate Release: January 21, 2025
Media Contact: Katharine Kollins, katharinek@sewind.org
Raleigh, N.C. - Yesterday, the Trump Administration issued the executive order Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Government's Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects, threatening wind energy projects across the country. This executive order withdraws the entire Outer Continental Shelf from offshore wind leasing, and requires cessation and review of federal wind leasing and permitting prior to any new or renewed approvals, rights of way, permits, leases, or loans for onshore or offshore wind projects.
The federal government using blanket measures to impede energy development by American companies is a risk to establishing American energy dominance. Though a nascent industry in the U.S., offshore wind is already an economic force. America’s previously underutilized ports have seen hundreds of millions in new investments. Private companies have paid billions to the U.S. Treasury in the form of lease payments. Training programs have equipped thousands for the offshore wind sector. Yesterday's executive actions directly threaten jobs held by American workers, risk $25 billion of future investment, and weaken America’s energy security and consumer choice at a time when energy demand is rising.
Onshore wind is not only a vital pillar of America’s energy industry, but is the most affordable source of energy in the country, offering price stability with zero fuel costs, and protection from global energy market disruptions. Onshore wind projects provide billions in much-needed investment to rural communities across the country and supply 10% of our nation’s electricity demand. President Trump’s executive order threatens the ability of communities, businesses and power providers to meet growing energy needs with an affordable and deployable domestic energy source.
SEWC’s President, Katharine Kollins, released the following statement: “Wind energy is critical to achieving American energy dominance, meeting our growing electricity demand, and creating stable manufacturing jobs across the nation. Wind energy is a vital part of the global electricity system, and ceding the advancement and development of wind technologies to other nations will only set us back. In a time of energy emergency, an “all-of-the-above” strategy to achieve American energy dominance must include wind along with all readily available domestic power sources.”
In the Southeast, more than 100 companies produce components for the wind industry, including the largest subsea cable manufacturer in South Carolina, a specialized steel manufacturing facility in Kentucky, and shipbuilders in Texas and Louisiana. These companies are part of a foundational American energy industry that is already supporting thousands of jobs across our region. The Southeastern Wind Coalition will continue our important work to advance these economic development opportunities, and ensure that decision makers receive accurate information on the extensive benefits that wind energy provides.
About SEWC
The Southeastern Wind Coalition is a 501(c)(3) that works to advance the land-based and offshore wind industry in the Southeast. We focus on providing fact-based information on the economic and environmental opportunities of wind energy, and encourage solutions that result in net economic benefits to residents and ratepayers. For more information about the Southeastern Wind Coalition visit www.sewind.org.
