POLITICO Energy Trump’s wind freeze just blew up permitting reform talks
Dec 24, 2025
Kelsey Tamborrino, a clean energy reporter for POLITICO, joins to unpack the implications of the Trump administration's pause on five offshore wind farms. The discussion reveals how this move may have derailed bipartisan permitting talks in Congress. Kelsey highlights the political stakes as midterm elections approach and energy prices soar, exploring whether permitting reform can survive the current tensions. They also analyze the complexities involved in legislative efforts to constrain executive actions on energy projects.
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Wind Pause Spurs Permitting Breakdown
- The Trump administration paused five offshore wind projects citing national security, including projects already generating power.
- That aggressive action prompted Senate Democrats to halt bipartisan permitting talks, injecting major uncertainty into reform efforts.
Senate Talks Stopped Over Targeted Actions
- Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Martin Heinrich said they were halting negotiations after the wind pause, framing it as an assault on offshore wind.
- The move showed how project-specific executive actions can derail broader bipartisan legislation.
Broad Support, Sharp Substance Splits
- Permitting reform remains broadly supported across industry and parties but stalls over definitions and executive discretion.
- Lawmakers disagree on NEPA, Clean Water Act changes, transmission costs and how to constrain executive actions.