On January 22, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order pausing leasing and permitting for offshore wind energy projects in federal waters, including those planned for Morro Bay, California. This decision has sparked a mix of support and concern among local stakeholders. Jeremiah O’Brien, Vice President of the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Organization, expressed his backing for the order, aligning with Trump’s previous campaign promises to halt the offshore wind industry [e161a089].
The executive order mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a thorough assessment of the environmental impacts, economic effects on electricity generation, and the sustainability of subsidies related to offshore wind projects. Ken Bates from the California Fishermen’s Resiliency Association has called for a reevaluation of these projects, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of their implications for local fisheries and economies [e161a089].
Morro Bay City Manager Yvonne Kimball stated that the city will closely monitor the situation as developments unfold. A draft environmental impact statement released in December 2024 indicated that there would be temporary impacts during construction, raising concerns about the balance between renewable energy development and environmental protection [e161a089].
In response to the executive order, companies such as Equinor and Invenergy are currently evaluating the implications of these actions on their offshore wind projects. The American Clean Power Association has opposed the order, highlighting the critical role of wind power in enhancing national security and meeting California's ambitious goal of achieving 25 gigawatts of clean wind energy by 2045 [e161a089].
Adding to the complexities, on January 20, 2025, President Trump suspended new federal offshore wind leasing pending a review, which has raised concerns among stakeholders about investor confidence. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein criticized the halt, emphasizing the need for certainty for investors in the clean energy sector [5ac3eaab].
Currently, four offshore wind projects are operational, although Vineyard Wind 1 was temporarily shut down in 2024 due to a blade fracture. There are also four projects under construction and several in development, including Revolution Wind and Empire Wind 1, with estimated completion dates ranging from 2026 to 2030. In California, $475 million has been allocated for port upgrades and $4.6 billion for power transmission improvements, which are crucial for supporting these projects [5ac3eaab].
The offshore wind industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, including billions in write-offs due to rising costs in 2023 and 2024. Despite these hurdles, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy reaffirmed the state's commitment to clean energy, indicating a continued push for renewable energy development amidst the current political and economic climate [5ac3eaab].