Shift Key with Robinson Meyer and Jesse Jenkins

How Trump Has All But Halted Offshore Wind

Mar 12, 2025

Jael Holzman, a senior reporter at Heatmap and author of 'The Fight,' discusses the Trump administration's significant impact on offshore wind energy. She reveals how executive orders have stalled crucial leasing and permitting processes, creating a bleak outlook for wind projects. Holzman also dives into local resistance to renewables, particularly in New Jersey and New York, emphasizing the need for better communication from developers. The conversation highlights the contrasting fortunes of solar energy and raises concerns about future investment in renewables amid political challenges.

45:54

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Jael Holzman

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Quick takeaways

The Trump administration's executive orders have severely limited federal permitting for offshore wind, leading to project cancellations and increased uncertainties for developers.

Local opposition against renewable energy projects, fueled by misinformation and community sentiments, has intensified, presenting a significant challenge for both wind and solar developments.

Deep dives

Impact of Trump on Offshore Wind Development

The Trump administration poses significant obstacles to the offshore wind industry in the U.S. by halting essential federal permitting processes since his entry into office. Executive orders halted leasing and permitting for offshore wind, creating a chilling effect that has led to project cancellations, such as the South Coast Wind project, which was previously permitted. This situation is aggravated by the existing local challenges related to cost considerations and community opposition, making the environment for offshore wind particularly precarious. Developers fear that political pressure exerted by the Trump administration could lead to more delays and difficulties in obtaining necessary federal approvals for construction and operation.

Intro

5min

Impact of Trump on Offshore Wind Energy

19min

Navigating Community Resistance to Renewable Energy

15min

A Growing Political Movement for Renewable Energy Tax Credits

2min

Navigating Legislative Challenges in a Smaller House Majority

2min

Transforming Historical Sites and Navigating Economic Uncertainty

3min

Donald Trump’s second term has now entered its second month. His administration is doing much to slow down renewables, and everything it can to slow down offshore wind. Jael Holzman is a senior reporter at Heatmap and the author of our newsletter, “The Fight,” about local battles over renewable permitting around the country.

On this week’s episode of Shift Key, Rob and Jesse talk to Jael about the bleak outlook for offshore wind, the use of presidential authority to impede energy development, and why solar has been spared — so far. Shift Key is hosted by Jesse Jenkins, a professor of energy systems engineering at Princeton University, and Robinson Meyer, Heatmap’s executive editor.

Mentioned:

The Fight

Heatmap Pro

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How Bad Information Is Breaking the Energy Transition

Solar’s Growing “Prime Farmland” Problem

Jesse’s upshift; Rob’s upshift.

Music for Shift Key is by Adam Kromelow.

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