POLITICO Energy America’s offshore wind industry may not survive Trump
Dec 11, 2025
Ben Storrow, a reporter for POLITICO's E&E News with a focus on energy policy, joins the discussion on the precarious state of America's offshore wind industry under Trump's administration. He highlights how Trump's aggressive moves to revoke permits and dismantle incentives are sowing discord within the industry. The complexities of internal divisions emerge, with companies torn between negotiating deals and fighting back in court. Storrow emphasizes that success for ongoing projects is crucial for the industry's survival.
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Political Risk Became Real For Offshore Wind
- Trump has moved beyond rhetoric to actively dismantle offshore wind through orders, permit revocations, and tax-credit changes.
- That shift turned political opposition into real, costly project risk for developers.
Boards Hesitate After Mid-Construction Stops
- Companies investing billions faced sudden stop-work orders after years of permitting and equipment orders.
- Ben Storrow describes boardroom decisions where directors hesitate to risk more capital once projects can be halted mid-construction.
Industry Split: Deals Versus Courtroom Fight
- The industry split into two camps: vulnerable builders seeking deals and earlier-stage developers favoring legal fights.
- Recent court wins are shifting sentiment toward litigation as a viable defense.